Questioning the basis of Islam

Submitted by Rajeev (United States), Dec 31, 2010 at 05:22

Dear Dr Pipes:

In the above Question and Answer session ("Remaking a Religion") you have correctly stated that the basis of Islam is warlike. You also stated that it does not have to be warlike. These statements have deeper implications than what might seem at the first thought. You have tacitly and correctly implied that 'being warlike' is not a good trait for a religion and it should be changed. The problem is that the Islamic doctrine is its own biggest enemy. On the one hand, most people find it unacceptable that elements of wars are built into a religious doctrine. But, on the other hand, the very same doctrine that many find unacceptable declares itself to be infallible and final -- Islam is not only the final word and only truth of God through its prophet, the prophet's word and opinion is final. So Islamic wisdom can be interpreted and justified but cannot be questioned or modified. So it is not possible to discard small sections of the Islamic code while keeping the rest. Either it should remain true in its entirety or be discarded in full.

If the 'warlike' elements had entered Islam through latter influences, we could easily have removed them and purged the religion. But if these elements existed in the religion since the time of its (infallible and final) founder, the whole thesis of modifying the religion to purge the objectionable section becomes questionable. Since no new prophet can come to improve the doctrine, the doctrine must be discareded in its entirety (or accepted in its entirety). And , that is the cause of conflict of Islam.

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