[postnihilism]

Equating 'misogynistic divorce laws, violence against “immodest” women, and application of the death penalty for homosexuality' with an entire religion of 1.6 billion people is the issue, not criticism of a specific country's human rights record. You should not come to work and rail against a major world religion...

[_iyig]

The original point of argument was “Criticism of Islam's human rights record.“ Not “railing against Islam.” Was anything unclear about this?

[postnihilism]

How does this play out at work?

You saddle up to a co-worker at the water cooler. Hi Yasir (he's from the Bay Area), you know your religion has a terrible record of human rights? Yeah? Cool, see you at the standup in 30 minutes.

[chimpburger]

Yes that's how it plays out. A lot of Muslims (and ex-Muslims) desperately want to reform that religion. They often emigrate to the US to get away from that crap. Go on youtube and search for "ex muslim"

[_iyig]

I think we both agree that's a ridiculous and unrealistic example.

I'm not the type to raise political or religious issues at work, unless it relates to the decision or task at hand. If my company were to consider donating to a conservative Islamic charity for International Women's Day, for example, then I might offer my perspective. Otherwise, why start workplace conversations that are likely to be divisive, distracting, and unproductive?