Aug 10
Islamic Reformation?
Guido skulked across a blog entry today on The Gray Monk which set him thinking! The Monk discusses his views on whether the West can hope to see a moderation of Islam if there were to be a – to use the Monk’s phrase – “Luther style” Reformation within Islam.
Sadly, in Guido’s humble view, The Gray Monk does not seem to think this is likely or possible, and sets out his reasons very succinctly. Having read them carefully, Guido is much inclined to agree, especially after browsing a couple of the more strident English language Islamist websites. Perhaps a few more people, especially those in the corridors of power, should consider very carefully what The Gray Monk has to say on this subject; he seems to have identified something of fundamental importance in this debate.
Guido is more than ever convinced that there is no such thing as a “moderate” Muslim and even more convinced that continuing to attempt to promote this religion in the manner that our current Prime Minister and his friends are doing will result in a further growth of militancy. Having suffered once for his beliefs, Guido has no desire to repeat the exercise, but it begins to seem likely that it may well be required of him again!
4 Comments so far
Like revolutions not all reformations are created equal. The Reformation of Christianity was a liberal reformation. The reformation of Islam is well under way. It’s a conservative one.
Islam had a reformation serveral hundred years ago and they rejected it only to turn more fundamentalist. And considering their “personal jihadists” the Sufi have been hunted down ever since. The Sufis believe that Islam’s call to jihad is a battle within oneself between the materialistic and spiritual.
I would question whether the Christian Reformation was actually a liberal one in the sense that we would understand it. Luther challenged Rome because of what he saw as corruption, such as the sale of indulgences. Both he and Calvin, when they achieved power, were highly authortarian in their beliefs. Just examine some of the repressions enforced by the 17th Century Scottish Kirk for instance.
The only truly radical aspect of the Reformation was the willingness to let ordinary people study the Bible in their native language rather than in Latin. This had the effect of challenging the old church hierarchy. But let’s be clear, places like Calvin’s Geneva or John Knox’s lowland Scotland were brutally repressive places.
What Islam really needs is an Englightenment: ie, it needs to go away. Religious fundamentalism is something intelligent human beings should do without.
Guido agrees entirely with your view of the Reformers; in fact, if you look at The Gray Monk, you will find he refers to Calvin and Knox as the “Ayatollahs” of their day.