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Moderate Islam?

Reader comment on item: That Failed Philadelphia "Islamic Jew-Hatred" Bus Ad

Submitted by Boston Tea Party (United States), May 26, 2015 at 22:44

Dr. Pipes,

In fair disclosure, I'm a regular reader of Robert Spencer's Jihad Watch, and tend to lean towards his view over yours. Regarding this ad campaign though, I think your points are valid, and I agree with you that the wording of this ad was not conducive to rallying allies against Islamists.

I like your idea of inviting a broad coaltion, including Muslims, to oppose Islamists (including CAIR and ISNA). I think my disagreement with you comes when you say "Radical Islam is the problem, moderate Islam is the solution." If there was a global network of radical Christian terrorists, one could legitimately urge them to embrace a "moderate" Christianity. One could point to the teachings of the Catholic church, whose official exegesis of their holy texts concludes that the death penalty is wrong in ALL cases. Other protestant denominations have similar official pronouncements that conclusively illustrate their "moderation". One could also come up with similar examples in Judaism and Buddhism, I believe. But where is the numerically significant, codified version of "moderate" Islam? It doesn't exist. You've previously said that around 15% of Muslims support the Islamists, and I think your logic was sound on that. But I don't agree with your implication that the other 85% actively embrace some "moderate" Islam. I think they just don't take their religion that seriously. I just don't see how you can hope to have any success in encouraging Muslims to support a "moderate" Islam--when that doesn't really exist in any codified, widely embraced version.

Submitting....

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Reader comments (22) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
2Husseini was not just a voice in a hurriicane [158 words]walter BensonJul 9, 2015 12:49224122
2A question in reguards to the Arab involvment in world war 2. [28 words]Brian HockersmithJun 21, 2015 19:40223891
5I know my 1st response was too long to be posted. This one will be a better fit for the topic & space provided [131 words]DrRJPJun 3, 2015 12:04223658
2Envy: the basis of Jew-hatred [331 words]Michael SJun 13, 2015 04:43223658
Team Spirit [167 words]Michael sJun 1, 2015 21:21223617
Geller's people stir up controversy -- perhaps to avoid a deeper controversy [354 words]Michael SJun 1, 2015 16:18223615
3A different composition of the ad copy [59 words]PezDispenserMay 29, 2015 07:20223585
2Today is farhud day [130 words]DrwillyJun 1, 2015 06:21223585
14Moderate Islam [144 words]Sister of Wafa, Nonie, and AyaanMay 28, 2015 18:13223576
1Islam needs a Reformation [44 words]GuestJun 8, 2015 22:38223576
3Moderate Islam is a mythical concept and doesn't exist! [120 words]JaladhiJun 16, 2015 16:52223576
1What will moderate Islam look like? [314 words]PrashantJun 18, 2015 14:31223576
struggling for a better advertisement [177 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
George KeselmanMay 28, 2015 13:19223572
5Husseini Was Not Marginal [108 words]DaveMay 27, 2015 18:39223565
Impact on the average American.... [210 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Jon LoewMay 27, 2015 09:40223555
5Based on a false premise [101 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
PattiMay 27, 2015 08:50223554
I agree but... [30 words]BernardMay 26, 2015 22:56223543
6Moderate Islam? [254 words]Boston Tea PartyMay 26, 2015 22:44223542
3The goals of the campaign. [71 words]Januk36May 26, 2015 21:56223540
3It is no surprise [158 words]PrashantMay 26, 2015 20:04223537
To Ad Or Not To Ad? [233 words]YonasonMay 26, 2015 19:36223536
no chance to sway minds that are determined [13 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
AlanMay 26, 2015 17:57223532

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