The problem is that legendary figures are being exempt from criticism, and the moral systems they represent is far more resillient to change as a result.

Now, this would be fine if it just resulted in old Billy throwing some tantrums. Unfortunately Abrahamic religious morals are one if the most important cultural artifacts on this planet. The link between Mohammed's life and the prevalence of child marriage on a world basis is direct; he did it, therefore it is considered sound practice by millions of people.

It is not completely unique. It can happen to historical figures and national heroes as well, but definetely to a lesser degree. Also, you don't tend to insult God by insulting such figures.

I don't think it's logically fallacious to question the moral guidance provided by someone who acts in an immoral way. You could argue that he was simply a mouthpiece for Allah but I think that firstly, Muslims would object to his being reduced to that, and secondly that it doesn't speak well to Allah's judgement. You could also argue that no one's perfect and does it matter if they themselves were immoral if they speak the moral truth.

Whatever, I think they're both valid questions. If the Qur'an is accurate (which of course all Muslims believe that it is) then Islam was created by a Pedophile, and, if Mohammed was a pedophile, does that have any effect on the validity of moral guidance from a god who would choose a prophet who was himself immoral?

I dont know. Are you saying that immoral people can not give moral guidance? This is the point I am making. The moral system should be judged based on its rules, tenets, etc.

It may be very hypocritical for an immoral person to lay down moral rules, but the validity or otherwise of those rules is not affected by his hypocrisy

Well, that's one question that arises from this and no I don't think that an immoral person can't give good moral advice, it would simply be a case of 'do as I say, not as I do' but more important than that I think is that the Qur'an is actually the word of god as passed on by Mohammed, he was just an instrument, and what does it say about Allah that he would choose a pedophile to be his prophet? Is it irrelevant? Does it suggest dodgy judgement? Was he making a point of some kind? Is he actually condoning pedophilia? I think it raises lots of questions.

I have not read the Quran cover-to-cover, so I don't know if they derive their morals from the teachings of Muhammad found in the text or not.

Christianity does, but I'm not sure what morals you'd like to change that Christ himself advocates. His bottom line is loving your neighbour, which is often overlooked.

I would put it more strongly than that: "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful."

None of the questions raised are particularly useful. Let's say that Allah had picked someone of absolute perfect character. That then raises the question of elitism in religion, or maybe it raises the question of the authenticity of the person. Or if Allah had picked someone who defied cultural norms it would raise the question of rebellion in religion.

The problem with this line of reasoning is that it allows you to question any decision that was made for any arbitrary reason. It fits into the conspiracy theory model of religion that you like to use, which is that anything that you can imagine to use against religion counts as a valid argument against religion.

Muhammad is barely mentioned in the Quran, Jesus is actually mentioned far more often than he is. What is being (implicitly) discussed in this thread is the Hadith (interpretation of Hadith is also what OP has quoted), various scriptures based on the life and teachings of Muhammad forming the basis of Islamic law.

There really is no counterpart to this in Christianity. Inferences based on the words and actions of Jesus tend to be far less formal in nature, especially after the advent of Lutheranism.

That being said, you are still simplifying Jesus' teachings to the point of error. Jesus both condemns and judges, it is not just a message of love. Nor is Jesus the only figure of the Bible.

I don't think you can have love without hate. It wouldn't make sense for Christ not to hate what threatens that which he loves, which is why he hates sin, but loves people.

Kind of an aside question, but do you believe that Jesus condemns homosexuality in the bible?

OP does not present convincing evidence that Muhammad was a pedophile.

Pedophilia is sexual attraction to prepubescent children. It's uncommon to find it simultaneously with normal adult sexuality. Muhammad had multiple wives and AFAIK there is no record of him finding the fully grown ones unattractive.

The very fact that the husband waited a few years to consummate his marriage to his child bride suggests that he was waiting "for something." Some girls mature earlier than others, and it's not terribly rare for one to begin developing sexually at the age of nine.

God can hate?

If I believe that he directly condemns it? No, there is no such biblical passage. Do I believe that the biblical Jesus condemned it / would have condemned it? There is no doubt in my mind he would have.

There is extremely little in the sayings of Jesus that seem to indicate a liberalization of Mosaic laws regarding sexuality and relationships.than I see no reason to believe he should differ on this in regards to homosexuality. If anything the OT is far more celebrant of sexuality (not sexual diversity) than the NT.

Regardless, most of what Jesus says is largely irrelevant to a lot of mainstream Christianity. Just look at his views on divorce as proof of that.

Because Mohammed was a pedo and married a 9 year old this was obviously a very disgusting thing, but the legal age of consent in Iran at this moment in time is 9 years old because of this. Islam is the biggest joke of the three monotheistic religions. Most of it is ripped straight from the Pentateuch plus too many other things to go into. Atheism ftw. If I die and for some highly unlikely reason I meet god and he says why didn't you believe in me, I will say sorry dude not enough evidence.

Are you sure that the age of consent in iran is 9 because of islam , and not that islam talks about sex with 9yos because that was part of the culture where it grew up in? I think you would find it very hard, without a great deal of study, to determine which caused which.

I think it recently changed to 13. But yes I do know it was because of Islam that it was 9 in the first place. There was a section about it christopher hitchen's book: god is not great. A great book by the way where he expounds the fact that all religion is poison.

Waiting for the Mightyboosh bandwagon...

It's kind of obvious that Islam was why the legal age was 9 in Iran, as Iran is a theocratic republic formed in 1979. The important word here being theocratic

Theocracy is a form of government in which a deity is officially recognized as the civil Ruler and official policy is governed by officials regarded as divinely guided, or is pursuant to the doctrine of a particular religion or religious group.

Its not obvious at all, and Im pretty sure that the koran says nothing about god commanding people to take 9 yo wives.

They interpreted the Koran fkstick, in particular the story that Muhammad married a 9 year old, as a way of creating public policy with regards to legal age of marriage.

This just shows how man made all religions are. People with "divine authority" interpret the man made scriptures to fulfil their wants and desires and they can say its gods or the prophets will.


Another slightly similar point

Many Muslims notoriously hate dogs because in the Koran it said in a tiny sentence that Muhammad didn't like dogs as he thought they were unclean. Muslims torture dogs, burning them alive, eviscerating them, crucifying them etc because the Koran says this tiny little hing which is impossible to prove he even thought.

Ok, so it was their interpretation, rather than the koran and islam itself, that lead to the marriage policy.

No it was the Koran and Islam saying the main prophet can marry a 9 year old. Therefore everyone can.

does the koran specifically say "therefore everyone can"?

Yeah.

ok, page, verse and chapter pls