Rethink "Moderates"

Submitted by Boycat (United States), Apr 15, 2003 at 00:52

"If militant Islam is the problem; moderate Islam is the solution. The world is facing not a clash of civilizations, but rather a struggle between Muslim moderates and militants. Muslims need to reinterpret such basic issues as the concept of jihad, the position of women, and the place of non-Muslim minorities."

I know that yours is the voice of reason, as evidenced by the above quoted snippet. But the flaw in your argument is that it fails to understand the essence of moderation.

The problem with "moderates" is that they are moderates. Moderates can never be counted on for any action of any kind, or they would cease to be moderates. Moderates make the concerted effort to be followers. In this instance, they will, in the end, follow their vocal imams. So the question is: what are the vocal imams saying? It is none of the things you say they need to be saying. I agree that Islam needs to have an epiphany of sorts, so as to join the civilized world. But such epiphanies amongst religions usually come when coercion leaves no alternatives. And it will not come to Islam under any circumstance easily. Islam has been remakably resistent to change and influence from the West, having been innoculated in advance by Mohammed to be wary of Jews and Christians. All in all, you have given us a nice thought, but, sorry, no cigar.

Boycat

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