I think you are whitewashing the essential character of Islam, which means submission.
I don't think he's doing any such thing I'm a Muslim and I agree with a lot of what he says. The core message of Islam is "Submission to God", it doesn't insinuate that all non believers should be forcefully subjugated or whatever else you might be implying there.
Islam is a highly legalistic religion with great emphasis on Shar ia and applying Islamic law to people.
It must be highlighted that there are hugely different interpretations of Sharia. There is no concensus.
There's not a lot of room in there for the kind of Western liberties many Americans believe or believed are universal.
One could say the same about many other religions. Christianity before the reformation wasn't much different to Islam today. Your comments are ironic though in light of the attack on secularism by the Christian right in America.
It would be great if Islam could see a reform within itself so that it could be harmonious with the truths our forefathers held to be self-evident, but that's not happened yet, and may never happen. Islam has some real stumbling blocks within it that are hard to get around.
I remain hopeful. Islam is no different than any other religion. I personally endorse a liberal reformation of Islam, and while I may be in the minority these kind of changes don't happen overnight.
Edited by Isana Kadeb, : No reason given.
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