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Reader comment on item: Identifying Moderate Muslims

Submitted by William Pillow (United States), Oct 2, 2007 at 09:54

Dear Mr. Pipes:

You seem very knowledgable and appropriately wary of the label "moderate muslim." The following is a passage in my forthcoming book. I would immensely appreciate your comments and/or your identification of text inaccuracies, preferably by 10/10/07.

Sorry to have to date this--I just found your fabulous site! THANK YOU!

Religious Fundamentalism The term fundamentalist or fundamentalism will likely provoke the immediate image of Islam. But the view of all Muslims as radical extremists, encouraging annihilation of infidels, is totally misleading. As the world watches the growth of Islam, it seems particularly noteworthy that even within Islam there is conflict between Muslims. In Iraq, for example, we hear about disputes between the Shiites and the Sunni; in Saudi Arabia, there is Wahhabism; and in Pakistan and Afghanistan, there is the Taliban. Some Muslims hold many of the same values as Christians, including brotherhood, the Golden Rule, democracy, women's rights, and freedom to adopt modern technology. Others are opposed to democracy, modern dress, television, movies, equality of women, and individual freedom.

The split between them is ideological, based upon wide variations in interpretations of the Koran, just as fundamentalism in Christianity and Judaism is based upon interpretations of the Bible. Perhaps these ideological differences would be acceptable if they were tolerant of each other's beliefs and conduct. Unfortunately, some groups are not. Fundamentalism often is characterized by desire for power, control of people's mind, and behavior. And the struggle is advertised as the only will of God. Some efforts employ military force, even to the extent of exterminating those with different beliefs. Others may use threat of eternal damnation.

Just as Christianity has weathered many secular or political storms over the past two thousand years, Islam seems embroiled in similar struggles today. Of course, Christianity had a 500-year head start on Islam. Hopefully, it has reached a more moderate, tolerant position. In Islam, the fundamentalists favor the return to conditions that they claim prevailed at the time of Mohammad, in regard to the family and society. No doubt you have heard of Imams living in the Western world who advocate the switch from democracy to theocracy and implementation of Sharia law. It is important to know what the Sharia is and what it is not. Sharia Law The Sharia, as it developed in the first few centuries of Islam, incorporated many pre-Islamic Middle-Eastern misogynist and tribal customs and traditions (Kjeilen 2007). Only a part of it is irrefutably based upon the Koran. The Sharia included legal principles from old Arab Bedouin law, Mecca commercial law, Medina agrarian law, law from conquered countries, as well as Roman and Jewish law. However, because it is always referred to as being based upon the Koran, it is claimed to be the will of God. Rather than being law, the Sharia applies to religious, social, political, domestic, and private life. It pertains to all Muslims and others living in a Muslim society, but Muslims are not totally bound by the Sharia when traveling or living outside the Muslim world. Fundamentalist Muslim groups are more radical in their beliefs, even to the point of labeling more moderate Muslims as infidels and killing them.

Unfortunately for the rest of the world, this more militant group is armed and dedicated to the overthrow of democratic government and existing social order throughout the world, in the name of Allah. Moderate Muslims ask how a law whose legal elements were first laid down over a thousand years ago, that reflect the social and economic conditions at the time of the Abbasids and has lost touch with later social, economic, technological, cultural and moral developments, can possibly be relevant in the twenty-first century. They say that the principles of the Sharia are opposed to moral progress, humanity, and civilized values.

Theocracy Versus Democracy Throughout history, the Arab culture has contributed much to science. Today, however, fundamental Islamists believe that the only role of science is to support their religious interpretations of the Koran (Pitock 2007). It is therefore understandable why this group decries modern technological advances as heresy. They believe that God is, and should be, in complete control of nature and that God is a vengeful God, demanding adherence to a strict code of conduct. But that code, as they see it, is the one that existed many centuries ago. Historians say that the idea of a Muslim duty to eliminate all other religions has been falsely perpetuated, based on ignorance and bigotry (Rao 1978). The noted world historian, Gibbon, said, "A pernicious tenet has been imputed to Mohammadans, the duty of extirpating all the religions by sword." Further, the true Quran (Koran, or Muslim bible) refutes this precept, as exemplified by the forgiving behavior of the Musalman conquerors centuries ago and by their public and legal tolerance of Christian worship.

The great success of Mohammad's life was achieved by sheer moral force, without a stroke of a sword. With all the unrest around the world, much of it terrorist-based and implicating Muslims in the minds of a large proportion of people of other religious faiths, it is time to question the true goals of Muslim fundamentalists. Their explicit goal seems to be a belief that all people who do not share their partisan ideals are infidels and that the terrorists serve Allah by destroying them. But they may have a hidden, implicit, secular belief that the only way to rally all Muslims to accept their cause is to create immense hatred of the Muslim faith throughout the world, by causing it to become stereotyped as terrorist. The term secular is used for a reason, since meeting this objective would serve only the few who would rule the theocracy, certainly not Allah. There have been proposals to counter the threat from young Muslims being brainwashed into terrorism by converting them to another religious faith, such as Christianity.

But much can be said to applaud the devotion of moderate Muslims to their faith and its principles. Also, it is important to recognize that the Koran acknowledges Abraham and Jesus as well as Mohammad, and its teachings are similar to those of the Bible regarding brotherhood of all persons and the one Divine. Remember what Dr. Borg said earlier in this chapter. As you'll note, several online sites were used as sources for the information in this chapter. I also e-mailed six other online Muslim organizations, sending them a copy of the latter part of this chapter, beginning with Religious Fundamentalism, and I invited them to comment and to report inaccuracies. Unfortunately, none of the six responded.

Readers are encouraged to access an article by Daniel Pipes, in the New York Sun, "Identifying Moderate Muslims." His Web site (http://www.danielpipes.org/article/2226) includes frequently added updates from many sources (Pipes 2007).

Submitting....

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Reader comments (128) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
1All Islam is Flawed but even more so for those who blindly believe it literally [243 words]SanamJan 2, 2016 19:59227429
Oxymoron [35 words]CeenSep 19, 2010 17:07178437
1True Oxymoron!!! [52 words]JaladhiSep 20, 2010 14:23178437
4Moderate Muslim = Murtad [92 words]NaeemahOct 25, 2008 14:28140974
What do "moderates" say about Qu'ran 2.221? [178 words]HSAug 28, 2008 12:24137561
Hypocrisy [145 words]AmmarDec 2, 2008 13:50137561
4Let sleeping....... [497 words]IlmyFeb 21, 2009 21:09137561
Aethists would save the world [669 words]SamOct 31, 2009 17:36137561
Civilizing Effect of Muslim Rule in India [127 words]BuddhaMar 7, 2011 04:51137561
Provide reference [40 words]ChristopherMar 24, 2012 23:08137561
2Moderate Muslims [179 words]Guy MacherMay 31, 2008 22:03130705
2"My body is a book made of skin and bones, where a strong desire for freedom of speech, freedom of religion and democracy is carved into it." [941 words]Rochelle E. MichaelsJul 17, 2008 13:58130705
Response to Rochelle Michaels [64 words]Guy MacherJul 31, 2008 16:32130705
"...My body is a book made of skin and bones, where a strong desire for freedom of speech, freedom of religion and democracy is carved into it...." [59 words]Rochelle MichaelsAug 1, 2008 20:01130705
My apologies [16 words]Guy MacherAug 3, 2008 20:05130705
Response to Guy Macher [19 words]Rochelle MichaelsAug 4, 2008 14:22130705
Why be a Muslim if not all the way? [216 words]Reva HolderOct 21, 2010 00:50130705
Why don't Muslims convert (reconvert)? [82 words]RochelleOct 22, 2010 19:53130705
The saddest part of all this... [579 words]Abed SafahJan 6, 2008 21:29117617
reply to Abed Safah [62 words]anomDec 15, 2008 14:05117617
To Abed Safa: you are almost right. [162 words]KurtlaneNov 25, 2009 08:32117617
Questions for Abed [571 words]KurtlaneNov 25, 2009 09:17117617
2Reply to Kurtlane- Sorry it's 8 months later [450 words]Abed SafahJun 29, 2010 17:10117617
Sorry, it's 3 years later [168 words]KurtlaneApr 21, 2013 05:12117617
Moderate Shia Muslims that endorse Dr. Pipes [15 words]YnnatchkahOct 25, 2007 22:59112351
moderate Muslims [21 words]RahmanMay 27, 2008 09:01112351
2Problem with Moderate Islam [297 words]WilliamOct 20, 2007 12:04112000
Sounds realistic to me! [238 words]concernetNov 25, 2007 00:16112000
Would You Review? [1128 words]William PillowOct 2, 2007 09:54110115
Acceptance of Abraham and Jesus [340 words]concernedNov 25, 2007 01:02110115
Muslims [71 words]MakAug 20, 2007 06:08106554
Moderate Muslims vs. Islam [266 words]WilliamOct 20, 2007 11:53106554
muslims as violent [74 words]DanielAug 7, 2007 23:20105666
Reform the Qur'an [24 words]MohammadJul 3, 2007 13:31102799
Reform the Qur'an [20 words]skDec 11, 2007 02:38102799
Moderate Moslems [58 words]KevinAug 16, 2006 10:0553048
How do you define a moderate Muslim? [145 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
NaomiMar 14, 2006 16:0140137
Moderate Muslims Are Not the Problem [156 words]JimMar 14, 2006 20:2840137
'moderate muslims' [135 words]RunaJul 14, 2006 06:3140137
Moderate Muslim Definition [121 words]Moderate Muslim DefinitionJul 15, 2006 00:5140137
Moderate Moslem Definition [121 words]Peter FaulkesNov 5, 2006 17:5140137
Definition [50 words]CeenSep 19, 2010 19:4040137
Definitions... [590 words]Sage DeMintNov 26, 2005 16:2428869
I appreciate your words SD, however.... [667 words]No DhimmiJan 9, 2006 10:5428869
some mischeifs,some misinterpretetion,some due to unjustice,some due to mishandling [341 words]sohail saamirNov 15, 2005 13:0328408
A couple of corrections and alternatives [767 words]Abed SafahAug 3, 2005 08:3224271
Confused of islam [89 words]PaulAug 2, 2006 11:2224271
IS TERRORISM THE TRUE NATURE OF ISLAM [161 words]H.V. SURYANARAYANA SHARMAJan 11, 2007 01:0124271
Both ends of the stick. [77 words]concernedNov 25, 2007 01:1724271
1the evil christian wars [217 words]AndyJul 12, 2005 19:0023415
Born a Jew? [86 words]Matthew StantonNov 28, 2006 21:2223415
doubtfull beginings lead to confusion. [125 words]mushtaqJun 5, 2010 20:1423415
11800 years of Muslim rule in India [132 words]Dev PurkayasthaJul 11, 2005 17:3923359
Re: 800 years of Muslim rule in India by reader Dev Purkayastha [12 words]RahulJan 26, 2007 03:5523359
unbelievable comment [18 words]josehfDec 20, 2007 06:4123359
Rule of hatred [87 words]Appayya SastryFeb 17, 2008 01:0823359
800 years of muslim rule in India [18 words]mubasherJul 30, 2009 10:1223359
1acid truth [63 words]ANIRUDDHA NAGSep 23, 2009 06:4323359
the hindu destrucion by islamic rulers [110 words]parameswaranOct 7, 2010 23:3423359
neutrality of thought [49 words]saba ranaJan 19, 2013 04:1923359
The Hindu Genocide revisited [105 words]dhimmi no moreJan 20, 2013 08:4823359
Muslim Rule in India [131 words]ChoudhuryJul 16, 2013 01:5423359
Common sense [42 words]Ibrahim kOct 21, 2013 10:0623359
I like your joke Ibrahim [268 words]AnthonyOct 29, 2016 12:1923359
Moderate Islam Litmus Test [158 words]J. WarshalJan 28, 2005 10:5219932
Good work [210 words]Mario GonzalesJan 2, 2005 16:1819308
Islam is still the problem [862 words]John MurdockJan 1, 2005 17:2319291
Why is it always islam look at yourself first. [632 words]shobokshySep 2, 2007 18:2219291
It is more a modern ideological fight [112 words]saesNov 19, 2007 01:1419291
Maybe there are "moderate" Muslims but... [166 words]Greg G.Dec 20, 2004 15:0219050
Wrong Greg.. [71 words]The DoctorFeb 20, 2007 02:3219050
Metamorphosis in Muslims [102 words]Dr. B.NathanDec 4, 2004 16:0018857
Hundred of Islamist sleepers active in Europe [107 words]Oscar Laurens SchroverDec 4, 2004 09:4318853
Rasheed said: [136 words]ReportDec 3, 2004 19:3318841
Doubletalk by Islamist sympathisers [131 words]visitorDec 1, 2004 17:2518798
Gullible Americans [366 words]M. WolfNov 30, 2004 12:0018722
Comments on post by M.Wolf [256 words]Romesh ChanderNov 30, 2004 19:5618722
Clarify please [112 words]Kevin MurphyNov 30, 2004 10:1518714
How a "Moderate" becomes an Islamist [41 words]Darwin BarrettNov 27, 2004 14:1218673
Islam is the Antithesis of Moderation [222 words]Arlinda DeAngelisNov 27, 2004 11:5618670
What a joke [99 words]MunirNov 27, 2004 09:4318664
1Serious sustained research... [726 words]Chris StoessNov 26, 2004 11:2918653
1Response to Chris Stoess [100 words]Vishal VermaFeb 27, 2005 04:4918653
How can I help? [44 words]Fred SilvaNov 25, 2004 22:1518645
History [479 words]Sondjata OlatunjiNov 25, 2004 15:2418638
Good Muslim-Bad Muslim [92 words]James W. DobbsNov 25, 2004 10:1918627
To Mr Dobbs [12 words]D HamFeb 3, 2006 08:3218627
Moderate islam [34 words]MilanNov 25, 2004 08:2818625
1The problem is the interpretation of the Koran. Reform it. [183 words]Marcos BerensteinNov 25, 2004 06:1618620
A new book [27 words]CeenSep 19, 2010 17:1518620
No such thing as a moderate Islamist...... [292 words]Warren BaconNov 24, 2004 20:2418608
Thank you, Mr.Bacon! [59 words]Marcos BerensteinNov 25, 2004 18:2418608
Yes,but... [97 words]Roger WilkinsonNov 24, 2004 20:1818607
History repeating itself.. [242 words]Dwayne OxfordNov 24, 2004 17:0318596
Talk is cheap [90 words]David J. BastyrNov 24, 2004 16:5518595
Reply to David [28 words]Slim ShadyFeb 20, 2007 02:2718595
This Demo was just to please the German society [50 words]A. HoferNov 24, 2004 15:3618593
The hidden truth [102 words]HanNov 24, 2004 13:1518584
Scholarship for intelligence [56 words]Terry G.Nov 24, 2004 13:0218582
Good work [9 words]SusanaNov 24, 2004 11:2418580
Moderates? [104 words]Charles ChrismanNov 24, 2004 11:1918578
Where is the outrage? [64 words]Edson BriggsNov 24, 2004 11:1318577
Are Muslims moderate? [139 words]G.B. HallNov 24, 2004 09:1218575
Moderate Moslems? [243 words]Irene FaulkesNov 5, 2006 16:5418575
1No such thing! [49 words]Terry PassmoreNov 24, 2004 08:2318573
Moderate what? [4 words]WhatshernameFeb 15, 2011 23:4918573
Islam is the problem... [137 words]Alain Jean-MairetNov 24, 2004 06:0418572
I admit to being skeptical too...to say the least! [523 words]Robert MillerNov 24, 2004 02:4818569
Interesting but... [200 words]Samir MOHAREBNov 23, 2004 22:0518567
Moderate Muslims [42 words]Shlomo ben Avraham PinheroNov 23, 2004 21:4418566
Moderate Muslims? [34 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Bob FinkNov 23, 2004 20:1618563
What did the King of Jordan say? [60 words]Yolanda CanfieldNov 23, 2004 19:5118562
Excellent [9 words]Herb StoneNov 23, 2004 19:4218561
Keeping our guard up [109 words]Juan HoveyNov 23, 2004 19:3718560
Isn't this a parallel case to: A rose, is a rose, is a rose? [120 words]Yolanda CanfieldNov 23, 2004 19:3118557
I'm sceptical... [68 words]Timothy JonesNov 23, 2004 18:3118555
Agree with Arthur and Timothy [104 words]LegunNov 23, 2004 21:0318555
Islamist's smokescreens in Germany / M-11 : M. for Morocco? [331 words]Roberto M. L.Nov 23, 2004 18:2818554
2Al-Taqiyya is used universally by all Islamists. [120 words]Vernon RichardsNov 23, 2004 17:4118553
The Qur'an is quite clear that lying to non-believers is permitted. [20 words]RahmanJan 6, 2006 01:0018553
Looks like that could be true [1 words]klewJan 24, 2006 15:4118553
Taqaiyya [61 words]Nia KhanMar 31, 2006 17:2318553
Al-Taquiaa is used by All Moslems [128 words]Russell BonneyNov 5, 2006 17:5718553
Al Taqiyya approved by Islam [96 words]AnthonyOct 29, 2016 12:4318553
Moderate Muslims? Let's not kid ourselves. [312 words]Arthur McNightNov 23, 2004 16:1218552
3Islamic virus [143 words]Shashi HollaNov 29, 2006 03:4818552
Why Fear and Hate? [281 words]Joahd ToureJan 22, 2007 00:3718552
Well - actually I am not commenting - But I would like to get your father's email - He is an old friend of mine [38 words]RaefJul 2, 2007 07:0818552

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