[The_Reader_David]

Not quite fair: a moderate Muslim is one who rejects the Hanbali school of interpretation which holds that the later violence-endorsing suras of the Koran superceed the earlier more pacific suras which counsel respect for other 'people of the book', and who also sees the more violent hadiths as appropriate guides for action only in the context of tribal warfare and thus not applicable to modern circumstances.

Unfortuantely for the world, the Hanbali school of interpretation is the dominant one, not just among Islamic fascists, but among Muslims generally, and the near-universal trend among Muslim jurists to provide alternative courses of action to imitating the 'prophet's' more violent behaviors seems to have completely did out in some circles.

[William Terrell]

Plain words can't be interpreted. They must stand on their own. If those plain words are those of a religion's holy book, only minor points of reference can stand sect interpretation without casting doubt on the religion itself.

If Muslims find distaste for the words of their prophet, then they can't be Muslims, that maxim being the very words of their prophet.

They must convert, enslave or kill infidels or they are infidels themselves. "Interpretations" are just a mealymouthed way to say they don't have the courage to keep the commandments of their god.

My opinion. It won't change until the entire middle east Islam apologizes to Salmond Rusdie.