Digital Social Hour: Ridvan Aydemir — Islam: Religion of Peace or Political Ideology?
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Ridvan Aydemir (Apostate Prophet)
Release Date: July 25, 2025
Episode: DSH #1463

Introduction

In Episode #1463 of Digital Social Hour, host Sean Kelly engages in a provocative and unfiltered conversation with Ridvan Aydemir, known as the "Apostate Prophet." The discussion centers on a contentious topic: whether Islam should be viewed solely as a religion of peace or as a political ideology with broader societal implications. The episode delves deep into Aydemir's personal experiences, critical analyses of Islamic teachings, and the impact of Islam in both Western and Muslim-majority societies.

Guest's Background and Perspective

Ridvan Aydemir introduces himself as a former practicing Muslim who has renounced the faith. He shares his personal journey, highlighting the negative teachings he encountered within his Muslim household and community. Aydemir emphasizes his commitment to exposing what he perceives as the inherent political nature of Islam.

[00:00] Apostate Prophet: "I would say we shouldn't be attacking every single random Muslim because they're not all in on this kind of stuff. But to then say Islam is itself a religion of peace is just pure nonsense."

Islam as a Political Ideology

Aydemir argues that Islam transcends being merely a religion, positioning it instead as a comprehensive political system. He contends that Islamic teachings impose societal rules that extend beyond personal faith, influencing political structures and governance.

[01:22] Apostate Prophet: "With Islam, what people need to understand is that it's not just a religion, it is a political system and it's dangerous."

He discusses the infiltration of Islamic ideology in Western countries, particularly Europe and the United States, through immigration and cultural integration. Aydemir warns of Muslims' goals to influence political landscapes, citing examples of individuals advocating for Muslim leadership in various nations.

Demographic Trends and Growth

A significant portion of the conversation addresses demographic changes, with Aydemir presenting Islam as a rapidly growing religion poised to surpass Christianity globally within the next few centuries.

[07:50] Apostate Prophet: "It is still smaller than Christianity. So it's currently number two. But according to some research, it is projected to take over and become the biggest religion within the next 50 to 800 years."

He attributes this growth primarily to high birth rates among Muslims, driven by cultural and religious imperatives to procreate, rather than conversion rates.

[08:19] Apostate Prophet: "Muslims make significantly more babies than Christians who live down the same road. It's because within the belief system that they're supposed to...populate and increase in numbers as much as possible."

Quranic Teachings and Hostility

Aydemir provides a critical analysis of the Quran, interpreting certain verses as promoting hostility towards non-Muslims. He references specific Quranic passages to support his claims.

[03:21] Apostate Prophet: "The Quran orders Muslims in chapter 9, verse 29, to fight and subjugate Christians and the others who do not accept Islam, except it gives them the right to stay alive under the condition that they pay protection money, which is called jizya."

He elaborates on how these teachings historically facilitated the subjugation of non-Muslims and enforced Islamic standards on conquered populations.

[04:23] Apostate Prophet: "It's like the Italian mafia... It's called jizya. It's literally the Quran says this is supposed to be imposed on the disbelievers in humiliation."

Historical Influence and Contemporary Concerns

Aydemir traces the historical influence of Islam, highlighting the role of the Ottoman Empire and the spread of Islamic governance until its dissolution after World War I. He posits that remnants of this imperialist ideology persist today, with certain factions aiming to reinstate similar control mechanisms.

[05:55] Apostate Prophet: "Up until the 20th century... Islam was an imperialist force in the world. We don't have it right now in quite that way because the Islamic empire was crushed a little over a hundred years ago. But there are lots of people who want to bring that back."

Freedom of Speech Under Islamic Influence

A crucial part of the discussion revolves around freedom of speech, especially in relation to depictions of the Prophet Muhammad and critiques of Islamic teachings. Aydemir shares personal experiences of censorship and threats due to his outspoken views.

[16:35] Apostate Prophet: "I have generally said that I'm not in favor of ripping up a Quran or burning it... but in my case, for example, I was attacked by an Islamist online who said that I... deserved to be executed."

He recounts incidents where actions perceived as disrespectful to Islam, such as destroying Quran pages or depicting Muhammad, have led to severe backlash, including online threats and real-world violence.

[17:31] Apostate Prophet: "I tried to make a point of just ripping up the Quran, destroying it, throwing it around, and said, is a page here really more valuable than human life?"

Case Studies of Persecution

Aydemir presents harrowing accounts of individuals persecuted for their beliefs or expressions against Islam. He references specific cases in countries like Turkey and Pakistan, illustrating the dangers faced by apostates and minorities.

[20:20] Apostate Prophet: "There was a woman... she had a discussion with somebody in public in Pakistan... accused of disrespecting the Prophet Muhammad... a mob of hundreds... wanting to lynch and kill her."

He draws parallels between these modern instances and historical witch trials, emphasizing the brutality and societal acceptance of such actions within these contexts.

Political Narratives and Media Influence

The episode also critiques political figures and media narratives that, according to Aydemir, misrepresent Islam. He specifically calls out former President George W. Bush for his post-9/11 affirmation that "Islam is a religion of peace," arguing that it was a strategic move to prevent backlash against innocent Muslims.

[24:00] Apostate Prophet: "George W. Bush... gave a speech in which he said that this is not about Islam because Islam is a religion of peace. It is our president... who started this whole... popularized the line, Islam is a religion of peace."

Aydemir suggests that such narratives obscure the ideological and political aspects of Islam, hindering honest discourse about its role in global and domestic affairs.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Towards the end of the episode, Aydemir urges listeners to recognize and address what he perceives as the dangers posed by Islam as both a religion and a political ideology. He calls for more individuals to speak out against the narratives that, in his view, falsely portray Islam as inherently peaceful.

[26:20] Apostate Prophet: "We cannot separate the Islamism... from Islam itself. That's simply what it is."

He encourages support and dissemination of his message through platforms like YouTube and Twitter, aiming to raise awareness and foster a more informed public discourse.

[26:49] Sean Kelly: "Where can people support you...?"

[26:51] Apostate Prophet: "Mainly on YouTube, apostate profits. I also post on X Twitter, same Apostate Prophet."

Notable Quotes

• Apostate Prophet [00:00]: "We shouldn't be attacking every single random Muslim because they're not all in on this kind of stuff. But to then say Islam is itself a religion of peace is just pure nonsense."

• Apostate Prophet [07:50]: "It is still smaller than Christianity. So it's currently number two. But according to some research, it is projected to take over and become the biggest religion within the next 50 to 800 years."

• Apostate Prophet [12:32]: "Islam literally means submission. ... They are supposed to be okay with [their misery] and supposed to be in submission with it."

• Apostate Prophet [17:31]: "Is a page here really more valuable than human life?"

• Apostate Prophet [24:59]: "Our Republican Party protected Islam and said Islam is a religion of peace."

Final Thoughts

This episode of Digital Social Hour presents a deeply critical perspective on Islam, framed through the personal experiences and analyses of Ridvan Aydemir. The conversation challenges prevailing narratives about Islam's peaceful nature, urging listeners to reconsider the religion's role in political and societal contexts. Whether one agrees with Aydemir's viewpoints or not, the episode undeniably stirs significant reflection and debate on a highly sensitive and complex subject.

Note: The views expressed by Ridvan Aydemir in this summary are presented as per the podcast transcript and do not reflect the assistant's opinions or endorsements.