Moderate Islam Is Not The Answer

Submitted by Andrew Stunich (United States), Apr 18, 2007 at 12:19

I greatly admire Dr. Pipes and his work. I have learned a great deal from him. I cannot, however, accept that moderate Islam is the answer.

Any Muslim with an IQ above room temperature will always recognize moderate islam for what it is - reformed Islam and not the Islam Muhammad preached and practiced. Moderate Islam does not have enough legitimate doctrinal support to rival Islamist Doctrine. Yes, Islamist Doctrine has its own doctrinal errors as well, but it is closer to the Islam Muhammad preached and practiced than is moderate Islam which, in mnay cases, seems more like Christianity without Jesus than Islam.

By endorsing moderate Islam, we are endorsing "Gateway Islam." A form of Islam that will be able to attract new converts in the West some of whom will slide into Islamism over time given the clear example set by Muhammad. Moderate islam will never have a legitimate answer for the clear example Muhammad left which unambiguously shows that Islam was meant to spread by the sword.

I will always support Dr. Pipes because I believe that he is a national treasure when it comes to educating people about Islam, Israel, and the Middle East overall, but he errs with respect to his views regarding advancing moderate Islam. No one is perfect, even the very intelligent and courageous Dr. Pipes. The best approach is to contain Islam in every manner we legitimately can.

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