People are actually READING and OBEYING their Holy Books.
Islam cannot reform. Why? Because of the very nature of the written word of their omniscient creator. How does their creator tell its followers - “I was wrong to say this and now it should be said like this.” - when they are taught their creator’s words are never wrong. There is the concept of abrogation (a previous verse is made obsolete by a newer verse) in Islam but the very idea that the creator changes its mind is non existent in Islam.
Reformation set forth by followers of Islam would be saying just that - their creator is not infallible but can make mistakes. This concept that the creator changes its mind and or philosophy by itself goes against every teaching in Islam. Reformation can not happen in Islam without removing a great many of its ideologies, practices and teachings. To reform Islam would have to rewrite the Quran in its entirety. This fundamental transformation would completely destroy Islam by rocking and shaking the very core (pillars) in which its followers believe. This would be akin to the Catholics saying we were wrong about Mary of Magdalene and that yes Jesus did marry Mary of Magdalene and had a family with her. This concept would completely change the view of Jesus as a Christian saviour and the very core of Christianity. Yes it is that profound. This is why reformation in the Islamic faith would destroy it.
Whilst the cries go out for an Islamic Reformation there can never be an Islamic reformation due to the fact that Islam by its very nature has been set up for no room for reformation. There is no leeway in the Islamic teachings. The only way Islam can be reformed is the destruction of the texts and teachings and to begin anew. Something Islam is not prepared or even willing to do. If one has read not only the Quran but also the Hadiths this becomes as clear as snow on a cold winter’s day.
To reform Islam is to destroy everything Islam is and stands for. That will never happen in a million years. Those million years cannot come fast enough.
I understand that Catholicism has gone through several changes but I put this to you, do we compare Islam and Christianity (mainly the Catechisms in the Catholic faith) or do we say Islam must stand on its own merits? I for one am of the belief that Islam must stand alone when it is being criticized. We must look at the deeds, actions and teachings of Islam as a whole and completely separate from all other religious teachings. We must do this instead of deferring the argument to what Christianity has done and by the very argument saying well if Christianity has done this so it must be okay for Islam to do it as well. This is a false assumption and one muslims routinely employ when debating the merits and actions of Islam. They will bring in subjects like the Inquisition or the Native Americans and how their land was stolen (to which I have successfully shot down every argument any muslim has brought up in this realm). They will always defer the argument to something else in order to justify their stance. If Islam cannot stand upon its own two feet and be able to justify itself and its actions, then it cannot be wholly justified in the eyes of any person on this planet. This in and of itself is just another reason why Islam cannot be reformed.