"sigh"

Of course, as an atheist I think that Islam should be discarded altogether, along with all the other ancient and modern superstitions.  Failing that, I have suggested before that the Quran-only interpretation of Islam (dropping the outdated hadith and sunnah, which IMHO Muhammad never intended to last forever) would enable it to join the twenty-first century.

But if the goal is simply to attain peace and harmony among cultures -- then no, Islam does not need to be reformed.

I agree, what it does need is "isolating extremists".  However, that needs to start within Islam.  Don't expect non-Muslims to partner with you in that enterprise when we don't see the Muslims themselves engaging in it.  And don't expect us to look at a mob of a thousand Muslims causing mayhem at an embassy and believe that it consists of 900 "moderate - mainstream Muslims" rubbing shoulders with a 100 "isolated" extremists.  That's not isolation.  That's solidarity.

but he only expressed a personal opinion... not that he felt action needed to be taken.  He personally does not see the need for religion... does not believe in it... but he does not express to feel the need to rid the world of it either... just that that would be his preference.

This is called accepting people as they are.  He seems to be able to accept us as we are.  No bigotry... just personal opinion.  Bigotry would mean actively doing something about it.  Extremism would be killing to do something about it.
Salaam, peace, and blessings 


Edited by Caringheart - 18 September 2012 at 10:35pm