Daniel J. Pipes

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Tolerance

Reader comment on item: [Finding Moderate Muslims:] Do you believe in modernity?

Submitted by Stephen Berman (United States), Nov 26, 2003 at 14:19

It is actually not reasonable to call on Muslims to reject their religious teachings. Rather, the legitimate questions should all be related to whether the individual advocates any type of violence against those with whom he disagrees.

If a Muslim can persuade the American people that we should adoption Sharia Law, or, G-d forbid, the Nuremberg Laws, he must be allowed to do so, under democratic ideals.

What is contrary to democratic ideals is allowing private individuals to commit acts of violence, to silence their opponents. No public discourse is possible if people have to fear violence for expressing their views.

Perhaps democracy cannot survive Islam, and perhaps our days are numbered.

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Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".

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