Brethren, renowned Catholic critic of Islam Robert Spencer recently posted this entry on Jihad Watch that I wish to share with you with my own twist. I understand that many love to hate Robert Spencer but I don't. I am not by character as loud as he is but in today's rarefied media environment where the babble of the cultural elites are highly favored, Spencer's loudness - and that of Catholic League's Mr. Donohoue - are exactly what's needed. Anyway, this is what Mr. Spencer said: (The Hamas-linked CAIR-Islamic Society of North America annual convention meeting in Rosemont, VA this weekend) says it will show Muslims how to deal with "Islamophobia." If these poor victims really want to do that, here is an easy way. They can:
1. Focus their indignation on Muslims committing violent acts in the name of Islam, not on non-Muslims reporting on those acts.Read the post here.
2. Renounce definitively, sincerely, honestly, and in deeds, not just in comforting words, not just "terrorism," but any intention to replace the U.S. Constitution (or the constitutions of any non-Muslim state) with Sharia even by peaceful means. In line with this, clarify what is meant by their condemnations of the killing of innocent people by stating unequivocally that American and Israeli civilians are innocent people, teaching accordingly in mosques and Islamic schools, and behaving in accord with these new teachings.
3. Teach, again sincerely and honestly, in transparent and verifiable ways in mosques and Islamic schools, the imperative of Muslims coexisting peacefully as equals with non-Muslims on an indefinite basis, and act accordingly.
4. Begin comprehensive international programs in mosques all over the world to teach sincerely against the ideas of violent jihad and Islamic supremacism.
5. Actively and honestly work with Western law enforcement officials to identify and apprehend jihadists within Western Muslim communities.
If Muslims do those five things, voila! "Islamophobia" will evanesce!
I wish to add a sixth one: Muslims who donate money according to the principles of zakat and dawa should ensure that their money is going to effect real charity, not to pay for murder, suicide, and mayhem. Muslims should build responsive institutions that can account for every dollar spent. (Unlike CAIR, which refuses to show where's their money is coming from, a requirement to maintain their tax-exempt status which they've lost by the way).
The supremacy of Islam as a government and religion is clearly built into its primary sources. If implemented literally, an Islamic system leads directly to the destruction of individual civil rights such as freedom of religion, expression, assembly, and self-determination. Those of us who do not believe that Muhammad is a prophet at all, and that find many things in the Koran and Islamic tradition completely ridiculous, non-factual, and inherently unfair, will not be able to point out these facts under an Islamic regime.
Muslims should submit the sources of their religion to criticism and by that I mean form, redaction, textual, and literary criticism, in order to gain a scientific understanding of their religion, just as we Catholics have. Then they need to engage in a serious review of their exegetical and hermeneutical toolkits to eject, nuance, or reinterpret those tenets directing them to subjugate non-Muslims. I know it's difficult, but it is necessary if Islam is to become a full adult member of our civil discourse and a serious participant in our political arena.
There are many things in which Muslims and Christians agree, among them, the centrality of the family. Yet, I am reluctant to build bridges of cooperation to them if later on it may cost my head, that of my children, or my children's children.
That's where I stand. If you are Muslim and want to engage these points, you are welcome to do so. I am willing to read what you say and reason with you.