Impossible to reform Islam

Submitted by John Bastile (Malaysia), Oct 24, 2005 at 03:06

Mohammed Saleem Akhtar,

I understand that the majority of muslims are really peace-loving innocents. These people are governed by religous leaders - the mullahs, as you called them.

I understand that the majority of muslims believe in God. They believe in a merciful God, who is almighty and powerful. The Creator of the Universe. They believe in goodness and kindess. They strive for spiritual perfection. You know what, so do most humans. For all my above-mentioned statements, you can replace the word "muslims" with any of group of people - the "christians", the "hindus", etc.

The problem with Islam is that your holy book contains terror-filled verses that call for the killing of its non-believers. Your prophet Muhammed has, in a way, created a militant-type of religion. Apostates are deserters of Allah's army and need to be punished by death. Non-believers are all enemies and needed to be conquered. I'm not saying that other religions have a clean history but I'm saying that your holy book contains verses that call (clear and present) for the killing of non-believers that no other religions or their holy books have.

I tried to be objective when I studied the Koran and Islam. I can subcribe to the Bible. I can comply with Buddha's teachings. Hinduism may not really appeal to me. However, Koran terrifies me. ...

Mohammed Saleem Akhtar, you claimed to be agnostic. Thus, I can see no possibility of a reform in Islam. There will be more bloodshed. Since, non-muslims cannot play a role in any reform in Islam, it will be up to all muslim countries to do the job. Since, there are no politically, economically, and charismatically strong muslim country, any reform in Islam will be impossible. Your prophet has made it so. I believe that the majority of muslims should abandon Islam.

Leaving Islam is a better choice. It does not mean that ex-muslims do not believe in God. It does not mean that they will abandon their values. Apostates can still be God-fearing people who wish to uphold good moral values. They just need to abandon a cult that their mullahs have monopolised.

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