THEMOTLEY1 - ////I freely admit that I know little about Islam//
and yet you still expect your opinion, the opinion based on little knowledge to be taken seriously. //
Apologies to regulars who have read this before, but I will repeat it for TM1's benefit -
Possessing and expressing an opinion anywhere - including on here - is not dependent on experience and / or knowledge. If it was, it would be experts agreeing with each other all day long, and the site would implode inside a week.
The whole point about a debate site like this, is that people express an opinion, and gain some knowledge which they don't already have. They may, or may not alter their view based on what they read, that is the joy of being here.
Expressing an opinion is not dependent on possession of an appropriate level of background information.
To illustrate, I have never visited Auschwitz, but I do have an opinion on the Final Solution. I have never directed a film, but I posted a view on the new David Brent movie earlier today.
You see my point? You don't have to know anything about anything to be interested enough to have formed a view, and to express it.
The opposite end of the scale is someone who decides they are an 'expert' and constantly scoffs at anyone who does not meet their own predetermined lofty standards - but that comes across as being priggish and pompous and is really best avoided - especially as it usually arrives with no supporting evidence whatsoever.
My knowledge set is popular music - I would smash out of the park anyone and everyone on here on that subject - but I would never not want to discuss it with anyone and everyone, nor would I look down on them because they know less than me.
You don't have to take my opinions seriously - in fact, you don't have to take them at all. But I have a right to express them, and I will, and if you don't want to be involved, don't let the door hit you on the way out.