Islam can become Modern and Peaceful

Submitted by Michael Haley (United States), Aug 13, 2002 at 09:19

Again I agree with Pipes that Islam can become peaceful and modern, and the war like nature is not necessarily inherent in the religion. I would point out that in the Bible, there are a lot of violent things and teachings that modern Christians choose to ignore or attribute to a past that is no longer relevant. People pick and choose their religious beliefs and how they act on them in the world regardless of what it says in their holy books.

In order to find a future peaceful world we must allow the space for the Muslims to change, and to support those who are opposed to the terror and the violent nature of the radicals, and there are many of those. That doesn't mean we hide our heads in the sand about what is going on now, but rather look to create a better relationship with Islam by opening to the possiblity of change and being willing to see it when it is there. Isn't that what all the fighting is about, the hope for change?

---

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".