The Challenge of Modernizing Islam: Reformers speak out -- and the obstacles they face.

Editor's note: Jihad Watch writer Christine Douglass-Williams' new book, The Challenge of Modernizing Islam: Reformers Speak Out and the Obstacles They Face, is now out now from Encounter Books. Order your copy here. Robert Spencer contributed a Foreword to the book, which we are running below:

July 18, 2017  Robert Spencer  17 

"This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed my favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.”

So says Allah in the Qur’an (5:3), in words that have vexed Islamic reformers and would-be reformers throughout the history of the religion. Traditional and mainstream Islamic theology holds that Islam is perfect, bestowed from above by the supreme being, and hence not only is reform unnecessary, it is heresy that makes the reformer worthy of death if he departs from anything Islamic authorities believe to be divinely revealed.

On the other hand, the cognitive dissonance created by having to believe that the one and only God mandates death for apostasy (Bukhari 6922), stoning for adultery (Bukhari 6829), and amputation of the hand for theft (Qur’an 5:38), and sanctions the sexual enslavement of infidel women (Qur’an 4:3, 4:24, 23:1-6, 33:50, 70:30), the devaluation of a woman’s testimony (Qur’an 2:282) and inheritance rights (Qur’an 4:11), and above all, warfare against and the subjugation of non-Muslims (Qur’an 9:29), has led, particularly in modern times, to attempts by believing Muslims to reconcile Islamic morality with contemporary perspectives and mores......To Read More.....

My Take - The very concept of "reforming" Islam is irrational. If it's reformed - it's not Islam.  Those who actually believe or promote the idea it can be done are a special kind of stupid, or they're disingenuous.  We have 1400 years of history that demonstrates what Islam was, what it is, and will be forever as long as it exists.  Not only do Islamists hate non-Muslims - they hate any Muslim that doesn't subscribe to their particular flavor of Islam.  If we look at all ....and I mean all...... Muslim controlled countries we find one thing in common.  These are medieval tribal societies with modern weapons, transportation and communications.  That doesn't change the fact they're medieval tribal societies.  When they are in control it's a tyrannical thuggish nightmare.  Islam is anathema to western values and life styles. 

Furthermore we need to get over the idea Islam is a real religion.  It's a criminal movement masquerading as a religion.  The fact they've been able to do it for 1400 years is immaterial.  We also need to get over the two versions of the Koran.  They will always adopt the worst of the two - that's history and that history is incontestable.