--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The religiously observant is lumped in…" description: "\"The religiously observant is lumped in with the nominal Muslim, the nominal Muslim is lumped in with the non-Muslim and the radical. If we want to make..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/160/reza-aslan-2665_arms_the-religiously-observant-is-lumped-in-w_2719548.jpg" --- # The religiously observant is lumped in with the nominal… ![“The religiously observant is lumped in with the nominal Muslim, the nominal Muslim is lumped in with the non-Muslim and the radical. If we want to make sense of this mess and stop pushing Muslims into the arms of the extremist, we need to make meaningful distinctions between the religion of Islam…” quote by Reza Aslan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/160/reza-aslan-2665_arms_the-religiously-observant-is-lumped-in-w_2719548.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/160/reza-aslan-2665_arms_the-religiously-observant-is-lumped-in-w_2719548.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/160/reza-aslan-2665_arms_the-religiously-observant-is-lumped-in-w_2719548.jpg) > “The religiously observant is lumped in with the nominal Muslim, the nominal Muslim is lumped in with the non-Muslim and the radical. If we want to make sense of this mess and stop pushing Muslims into the arms of the extremist, we need to make meaningful distinctions between the religion of Islam that a billion Muslims follow and see as a guidance as a peaceful righteous moral life and the puritanical Islam of a minority which so captures the media's attention.” [Reza Aslan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reza-aslan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Distinguish mainstream peaceful Islam from extremist fringe; media conflation fuels radicalization. **In simple terms:** Separate mainstream Islam from extremism. Key Takeaway Promote nuanced understanding. Themes religion media extremism identity Mood analytical concerned Type educational informative When to use this quote - interfaith dialogue - policy making - education - journalism Key Concepts sociology political science media studies Questions to Reflect On - How can media portray Islam responsibly? - What role does education play in counter‑radicalization? A Different Perspective Simplification may overlook internal complexities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Arms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arms/) [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Billions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/billions/) [Capture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capture/) [Distinction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distinction/) [Extremist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/extremist/) [Guidance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guidance/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Islam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/islam/) [Islam Minority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/islam-minority-2872168/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Make sense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make-sense/) [Meaningful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meaningful/) [Media](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/media/) [Mess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mess/) [Minorities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/minorities/) [Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral/) [Moral life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral-life/) [Muslim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/muslim/) [Muslim Lumped](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/muslim-lumped-2872165/) [Muslim Nominal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/muslim-nominal-2872167/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Nominal Muslim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nominal-muslim-2872166/) [Observant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/observant/) [Peaceful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peaceful/) [Pushing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pushing/) [Radical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/radical/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Religion of islam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion-of-islam/) [Righteous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/righteous/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) ## Related quotes > [If Jews in the name of their religion were killing Americans, then I think that would be an appropriate comparison. But as far as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-king/if-jews-in-the-name-of-their-religion-were-killing-americans-then-i/) [Steve King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-king/) > [This is something that I'm sure I'd have serious debates with my fellow Christians about. I think that the difficult thing about any religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/this-is-something-that-i-m-sure-i-d-have-serious-debates-with-my/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I believe in Islam. I am a Muslim and there is nothing wrong with being a Muslim, nothing wrong with the religion of Islam.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/i-believe-in-islam-i-am-a-muslim-and-there-is-nothing-wrong-with-2/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [The Honorable Elijah Muhammad teaches us the religion of Islam, which is a religion of peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/the-honorable-elijah-muhammad-teaches-us-the-religion-of-islam-which/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [I believe in Islam. I am a Muslim and there is nothing wrong with being a Muslim, nothing wrong with the religion of Islam.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/i-believe-in-islam-i-am-a-muslim-and-there-is-nothing-wrong-with/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [Actually we are Muslims because we believe in the religion of Islam.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/actually-we-are-muslims-because-we-believe-in-the-religion-of-islam/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [Not only did the terrorists hijack planes and destroy life, but they also hijacked the peaceful religion of Islam and split the brother and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cat-stevens/not-only-did-the-terrorists-hijack-planes-and-destroy-life-but-they/) [Cat Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cat-stevens/) > [There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is God's messenger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saddam-hussein/there-is-no-god-but-allah-and-muhammad-is-god-s-messenger/) [Saddam Hussein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saddam-hussein/) > [The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property - either as a child, a wife,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-fact-that-in-mohammedan-law-every-woman-must-belong-to-some-man/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/improvident-habits-slovenly-systems-of-agriculture-sluggish-methods/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries. Besides the fanatical frenzy which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/how-dreadful-are-the-curses-which-mohammedanism-lays-on-its-votaries/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [The black people in this country are taught that their religion and the best religion is the religion of Islam, and when one accepts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/the-black-people-in-this-country-are-taught-that-their-religion-and/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [The religion of Islam actually restores one's human feelings, human rights, human incentives, human, his talent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/the-religion-of-islam-actually-restores-one-s-human-feelings-human/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [The religion of Islam brings out of the individual all of his dormant potential.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/the-religion-of-islam-brings-out-of-the-individual-all-of-his-dormant/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [The nation of Dubai banned the movie Charlie's Angles because it's offensive to the religion of Islam. Apparently, the religion of Islam is offended…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-stewart/the-nation-of-dubai-banned-the-movie-charlie-s-angles-because-it-s/) [Jon Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-stewart/) ## More by Reza Aslan > [“Despite two millennia of Christian apologetics, the fact is that belief in a dying and rising messiah simply did not exist in Judaism. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reza-aslan/despite-two-millennia-of-christian-apologetics-the-fact-is-that/) [Reza Aslan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reza-aslan/) > [Should I act violently in defense of my religion, absolutely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reza-aslan/should-i-act-violently-in-defense-of-my-religion-absolutely/) [Reza Aslan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reza-aslan/) > [Religion doesn't make people bigots. People are bigots and they use religion to justify their ideology.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reza-aslan/religion-doesn-t-make-people-bigots-people-are-bigots-and-they-use/) [Reza Aslan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reza-aslan/) > [“Scattered across the Roman Empire, it was only natural for the gospel writers to distance themselves from the Jewish independence movement by erasing, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reza-aslan/scattered-across-the-roman-empire-it-was-only-natural-for-the-gospel/) [Reza Aslan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reza-aslan/) > [“There is a term for this phenomenon—politicomorphism, or “the divinization of earthly politics”—and it is, to this day, one of the central features of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reza-aslan/there-is-a-term-for-this-phenomenon-politicomorphism-or-the/) [Reza Aslan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reza-aslan/) > [Obama has been the single worst president in modern American history in dealing with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reza-aslan/obama-has-been-the-single-worst-president-in-modern-american-history/) [Reza Aslan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reza-aslan/) > [There's no question that homophobia is rampant among the world's 1.5 billion Muslims - but that doesn't negate the fact that there are huge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reza-aslan/there-s-no-question-that-homophobia-is-rampant-among-the-world-s-1-5/) [Reza Aslan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reza-aslan/) > [Well, to be clear, I am a scholar of religions with four degrees, including one in the New Testament and fluency in Biblical Greek…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reza-aslan/well-to-be-clear-i-am-a-scholar-of-religions-with-four-degrees/) [Reza Aslan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reza-aslan/) > [“There would be no more record of who was rich and who was poor. Everyone in this new and divinely inspired world order would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reza-aslan/there-would-be-no-more-record-of-who-was-rich-and-who-was-poor/) [Reza Aslan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reza-aslan/) > [My biography of Jesus is probably the first popular biography that does not use the New Testament as its primary source material.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reza-aslan/my-biography-of-jesus-is-probably-the-first-popular-biography-that/) [Reza Aslan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reza-aslan/) > [The Islamic Reformation is already here. We are all living in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reza-aslan/the-islamic-reformation-is-already-here-we-are-all-living-in-it/) [Reza Aslan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reza-aslan/) > [“Pilate, as the histories reveal, was not one for trials. In his ten years as governor of Jerusalem, he had sent thousands upon thousands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reza-aslan/pilate-as-the-histories-reveal-was-not-one-for-trials-in-his-ten/) [Reza Aslan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reza-aslan/) > [Is it possible that Jesus, unlike 98 percent of his fellow Jews, was literate and educated? Yes, it's possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reza-aslan/is-it-possible-that-jesus-unlike-98-percent-of-his-fellow-jews-was/) [Reza Aslan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reza-aslan/) > [“The choice between James’s vision of a Jewish religion anchored in the Law of Moses and derived from a Jewish nationalist who fought against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reza-aslan/the-choice-between-james-s-vision-of-a-jewish-religion-anchored-in/) [Reza Aslan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reza-aslan/) > [“Paul's portrayal of Jesus as Christ may sound familiar to contemporary Christians—it has since become the standard doctrine of the church—but it would have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reza-aslan/paul-s-portrayal-of-jesus-as-christ-may-sound-familiar-to/) [Reza Aslan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reza-aslan/) [Explore all 154 Reza Aslan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reza-aslan/) ## More Arms quotes > [I genuinely did not expect more than half our nation to choose to walk away from our long-term allies into the arms of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-reade/i-genuinely-did-not-expect-more-than-half-our-nation-to-choose-to/) [Brian Reade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-reade/) > [I don't wear a watch because I want my arms to weigh the same. So if somebody asks me what time it is, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-hedberg/i-don-t-wear-a-watch-because-i-want-my-arms-to-weigh-the-same-so-if/) [Mitch Hedberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-hedberg/) > [Preaching to the choir actually arms the choir with arguments and elevates the choir's discourse. There's a reason the right does it and does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-savage/preaching-to-the-choir-actually-arms-the-choir-with-arguments-and/) [Dan Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-savage/) > [He caught her, she fell, he caught her in his arms, he held her tightly unconscious of what he was doing. He held her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/he-caught-her-she-fell-he-caught-her-in-his-arms-he-held-her-tightly/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [Are we fighting?" I asked Morelli. "No. Were discussing." "Are you sure?" "Am I yelling?" Morelli asked. "Is my face purple? Are the cords…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-evanovich/are-we-fighting-i-asked-morelli-no-were-discussing-are-you-sure-am-i/) [Janet Evanovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-evanovich/) > [A home isn't just a roof over our heads. A home is a place where we feel loved and where we love others. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/a-home-isn-t-just-a-roof-over-our-heads-a-home-is-a-place-where-we/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Comerado, this is no book,Who touches this, touches a man,(Is it night? Are we here alone?)It is I you hold, and who holds you,I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-whitman/comerado-this-is-no-book-who-touches-this-touches-a-man-is-it-night/) [Walt Whitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-whitman/) > [Even the stove and the refrigerator looked human, I mean good human - they seemed to have arms and voices and they said, hang…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bukowski/even-the-stove-and-the-refrigerator-looked-human-i-mean-good-human/) [Charles Bukowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bukowski/) > [I separated the joints, the arm joints, the leg joints, and had to do two boilings. 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