Islam doesn't need to reform...it needs to disappear. It's a doctrine that defines itself by its hatred of 'the other', 'the infidel'. It will never be able to accomodate itself to a pluralistic world.
An even when there is no other it finds "others" within its own ranks and calls them apostates and destroys them. (the Taliban) After awhile there is no one left to destroy for they have destroyed themselves. Had it not lasted so long I would call it a self correcting religion.
"It will never be able to accomodate itself to a pluralistic world."
I agree. No matter how much we try to apply ahhp-face stickers to it, the main tenants of islam are: it is spread by the sword; the only sure fire way to salvation is martyrdom (fighting to advance or indefense of islam; anything (bombing orphanages, killing children, etc.) that advances islam is considered right and just
To those who do not accept islam there are only three choices: 1. convert 2. dhimmitude (pay the tax, accept third class status) 3. death to the infidel.
My point it that no matter how much effort is expended to fashion a moderate, reformed islam that can accept modernism and pluralism peacfully, there will always be the odd "Martin Luther" that goes back to the scriptures to revitalize the faithful with hatred and violence.
Remember these guys think the ME is such a waste land (culturally, scientifically, economically) not because of the inherent backwardness of islam, but because they are not applying its 7th century formulae zealously enough.
We need to shake off the idea that the dangerous ones are "radical" or "extremists". On the contrary, they are orthodox.
As far as the free-world loving peoples go, that's absolutely right.
The best that we can hope for with Islam is that all of the people that call themselves muslims are actually only apostate. Kind of like many christians or jews call themselves "christian" or "jewish" simply b/c thier lineage was that, but not b/c they are practicing or have any sort of practical knowledge of the Bible.
It stands to reason that many already are. They are the "peaceful" muslims as it were. The problems is that there will always be those adhering to the Koran and it's "takeover or otherwise subdue the world for allah" philosophy.
Yes, it does need to disappear. Any religion that refers to others as "infidels" is seriously flawed. These people need to be put down and marganilized at every opportunity. Peaceful coexistence with them is, in the long term, not possible because they will, at every opportunity, strike out at other religions. And if, God forbid, they should ever gain a political plurality in any country they will destroy that country.