Balanced debate, but proposers are living in a fluffy 'everything is lovely world' versus people who had been subjected to violence and threats by the so-called religion of peace. Like all Monotheistic Religions, it wants to dominate, it always has and always will! The everyday followers just need a Religion. It happened to be Islam and could have easily been one of the others. So an accident of birth and family determines the 'truth of Islam (or any of the other Religions)?

Talking about religion is pointless..
Are Knives bad? Are Guns bad?
Islam is not bad, only when used blindly.

Gladly we as christian can question
our believes and our scriptures, because
as Maajid Nawaz put it, we have to put things into context.

Interesting conclusion.

I wonder if the decision would have been different in a pre 9/11 era, especially because this debate was held in New York.

The For view simply did not argue well, while the against are professional debaters and i am sorry to say liar (coughayaancough)

The opposite side kept mentioning a verse from the Quran which says (Slay them wherever you may catch them and expel them from the place which they expelled you...) [2,191] However, the opposite side did not mention the verse just before that, which is verse 190, which, not surprisingly, says: (Fight for the cause of God, those who fight you, but do not transgress, for God does not love transgressors.) [2,190] Therefore, I think it is clearer now that verse 191 refers to self-defense rather than being offensive to unbelievers. This is how there are no contradictions between the verse 191 and the verse that says: (There is no compulsion in religion. Certainly, right has become clearly distinct from wrong. Whoever rejects the devil and believes in God has firmly taken hold of a strong handle that never breaks. God is All-hearing and knowing.) [2,256]
This is how we do not pull the Quran apart or take some parts and leave others. I think it would have been clear to the audience if the for view had replied using the verse 190 rather than just saying “we should be contextual when we interpret scriptures”
Thanks Zeba and Maajid

I am EXTREMELY disturbed by these people's FALSE accusations against the holy, pure, infallible and perfect Prophet Muhammad (SAW/Peace be upon him).

The truth is that the holy and pure Prophet Muhammad (SAW/PBUH) did not do as they have said and is not as they are saying.

The holy, pure, perfect, and infallible Prophet Muhammad (SAW/Peace be upon him) is the MOST honourable, righteous, pious, kind, sincere, handsome, humble, pure, intelligent, honest, modest, knowledgeable, and GREATEST of all God's creation!

The holy and pure Prophet Muhammad (SAW/PBUH) is the best man ever and is God's greatest mercy upon the universe.

The holy and pure Prophet Muhammad (SAW/PBUH) was persecuted. The holy and pure Prophet Muhammad (SAW/PBUH) was stoned, abused, harassed, etc. and when God gave him victory and Makkah was won by the Muslims, the holy and pure Prophet Muhammad (SAW/PBUH) FORGAVE those who had persecuted him.

The holy and pure Prophet Muhammad (SAW/PBUH) married Hazrat Aisha (RAD) when she was over 19 years old. She has always regarded the holy and pure Prophet Muhammad (SAW/PBUH) as the best man ever!

The holy and pure Prophet Muhammad (SAW/PBUH) fought in self-defense and for God. The holy and pure Prophet Muhammad (SAW/PBUH) NEVER did any harm to innocent people, and is God's greatest mercy and creation! SALVATION is through the holy, pure, perfect, and infallible Prophet Muhammad (SAW/PBUH) who is the CLOSEST one to Almighty Allah (SWT)!

I am EXTREMELY disturbed by these people's FALSE accusations against the holy, pure, infallible and perfect Prophet Muhammad (SAW/Peace be upon him).

The truth is that the holy and pure Prophet Muhammad (SAW/PBUH) did not do as they have said and is not as they are saying.

The holy, pure, perfect, and infallible Prophet Muhammad (SAW/Peace be upon him) is the MOST honourable, righteous, pious, kind, sincere, handsome, humble, pure, intelligent, honest, modest, knowledgeable, and GREATEST of all God's creation!

The holy and pure Prophet Muhammad (SAW/PBUH) is the best man ever and is God's greatest mercy upon the universe.

The holy and pure Prophet Muhammad (SAW/PBUH) was persecuted. The holy and pure Prophet Muhammad (SAW/PBUH) was stoned, abused, harassed, etc. and when God gave him victory and Makkah was won by the Muslims, the holy and pure Prophet Muhammad (SAW/PBUH) FORGAVE those who had persecuted him.

The holy and pure Prophet Muhammad (SAW/PBUH) married Hazrat Aisha (RAD) when she was over 19 years old. She has always regarded the holy and pure Prophet Muhammad (SAW/PBUH) as the best man ever!

The holy and pure Prophet Muhammad (SAW/PBUH) fought in self-defense and for God. The holy and pure Prophet Muhammad (SAW/PBUH) NEVER did any harm to innocent people, and is God's greatest mercy and creation! SALVATION is through the holy, pure, perfect, and infallible Prophet Muhammad (SAW/PBUH) who is the CLOSEST one to Almighty Allah (SWT)!!!!

Please read my previous comment for truth!

Why not READ your own Quran? But he's a reference discussing Aisha married at age 6 consummated at age 9 probably because a 6yo cannot have sex with a 53yo man.
youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Q5t9U9r9Kfs

Although that these speakers are (or seem so) intelligent they are blinded by faith, much like all people controlled by a religion. Which is a flaw in intelligence. Any person who lives his/her life under the control another man is in fact a slave. We should be living our lives without these crutches.

Islam IS a religion of peace, once every human pulls out a prayer rug and sticks his or her patootie up in the air five times a day, every day, for the rest of their life on a prayer rug. Until then, it's dar al harb (the abode of war).

Islam is a perfect religion in Islamic countries. So once the world is completely Islam. You will see that Islam is a religion of peace. Islam has already taken over Europe, UK. It is only a matter of time that Islam becomes a religion of peace and the world under 1 religion.