[A CA Guy]

The way I've read it explained is a moderate would say those verses are basically spiritual poems that were either rants or misinterpreted and that no one should follow what that says literally.
I agree with you, that moderates have quite the chore before them and I do think they have little chance with their people to make change unless they all think they will be killed taking on the world as they do.

[Tx Angel]

Islam cannot be revised because Muslims are told that the Qur’an was dictated verbatim and is unchangeable.

Bukhari:V9B88N174 “I heard the Prophet saying, ‘Islam cannot change!’”

Bukhari:V4B52N260 “The Prophet said, ‘If a Muslim discards his religion, kill him.’”

I used to believe the "moderate Muslim" myth, but it is indeed a myth. I will agree that there are Muslims that are ignorant as to what Islam preaches, as well as those trapped under Shari'a law -- but I doubt those Muslims will be the ones marching w/ the likes of CAIR.