Can Islam Reform?

In the past, I have called for the reformation or obliteration of Islam. But I have come to the realization that they are one and the same.

The basic tenets of Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, even Paganism are temporally universal: they are applicable in all times. While I do not personally believe in the divinity of Jesus of Nazareth, as the single, only, sole and unique Son of God, who was incarnated, died for my sins and rose bodily up to heaven, it is a belief that is independent of any given era, fashion, trend or political opinion. It can be as inspirational to people who travel to distant planets in the 24th century as it was to those who pioneered the American West, or fought in the Crusades.

The same is generally true of the other above-mentioned religions.

But the same thing cannot be said of Islam. It is trapped by its own dogma in a primitive and barbaric historical era. Its required actions and attitudes are simply incompatible with any but the one in which it was invented. (And it was seen as dreadful, evil and violent even then.)

Enlightened or advanced thought cannot be incorporated into Islam, because the tenets and dogma under which it labors are rigidly, determinedly, proudly, and definitively inflexible. The Christian way of living requires adherence to certain principles, like love, faith, hope and forgiveness. These virtues are manifested differently in different circumstances, and in different forms in different historical ages. And their interpretation can evolve while remaining consistent with their original intent.

What was seen as charitable in the 19th Century may be seen as patronizing in the 21st, and Christians can change the way they prosecute charity, in terms of real life circumstances. (In one situation charity may be giving someone a fish. In another it is withholding the fish, while teaching him how to fish. The underlying principle of charity is served in both of these seemingly contradictory behaviors.)

But Islam is not a collection of underlying principles. It is a collection of behaviors that must be done specifically as described, in all circumstances, no matter how grotesque and anachronistic the practice or repulsive the result.

There is no flexibility in Islam because it is not based on universal, timeless tenets, but rather on strict, rigid adherence to the literal words and behavior of one man, utterly divorced from his context of time and place.

Muhammad killed people, made war on people, stole from people, raped people, lied to people, broke faith and treaties with people, forswore his own vows. And he encouraged his followers to to the same. His marriage to and sexual relations with a child confers permission on his followers to do the same. And even today, many do.

The behavior of Muslims around the world: murder, rape, slavery, cheating on treaties, violent aggression, breaking faith, and the unconscionable oppresion of non-Muslims is not "fringe" behavior. It is the perfect imitation of their honored prophet; the very essence of Islam.

This cannot be amended in Islam, because at the very heart of Islam is this man and his Allah, the "god" in whose name, and at whose command, he commited these abominations.

This brings us to Reformation. It is impossible for this religion to be "reformed" and survive. Any reform, bringing it in line with rational, decent behavior, or tolerance, love, charity and forgiveness will tear out its very heart and soul. It will cease to be Islam, and will be a new thing altogether.

So, my demand for Reformation OR Obliteration is an artifical choice.

If Islam accomodates itself to the modern world and civilized behavior, denouncing its oppressive and corrupt ways, it violence, its degredation of humanity, and its imperialism, it may well become a great religion, based, like Christianity, on principles and real virtue. But it will have ceased to exist, in fact, and become something else.

The Gunslinger