Definition of Moderate Muslims or Moderate Islam

Submitted by Mark D. (United States), Nov 21, 2010 at 22:49

Hi Dr. Pipes,

You must excuse me, but it seems to me, unless you have defined it before or it has passed from my memory, it would be advisable to have a formal, precise definition of Moderate Muslims or Moderate Islam as opposed to simply Islamists.

There are moderate muslims, I haven't the least doubt of it, but you know what we may have different definitions.

I am trying to pin this down, hopefully with your help, but here is my definition so far of Moderate Muslims:

Muslims who do not believe in their religion, Islam.

Muslims who take in the Koran the same way Christians and Catholics and Jews for that matter take in the bible, which is moderately, meaning ignoring the hideous parts.

Muslims who do not believe in implementing Sharia law.

If I may say so, if appropriate, formal definition such as what professional, regulatory organizations do in finance, medicine, technology, and all sorts of fields, providing the precise, exact, definitions so there is no mistaking what people talk about or work on.

And I cannot let the grass grow under one's feet, sort of, because in the ordinary course of events in this board, as far as I can make out, people seem to have different definitions, including the "There are no Moderate Muslims at all because" crowd.

- Mark D.

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