The great Robert Spencer took time out from his incredibly busy life to talk to me via email about his new book Stealth Jihad: How Radical Islam is Subverting America without Guns or Bombs
Is Islam itself the problem?
Obviously “the problem” is rooted within Islamic texts and teachings that mandate warfare against and the subjugation of unbelievers. Ibn Warraq’s observation that there are moderate Muslims, but no moderate Islam is absolutely true in light of the fact that there is no orthodox sect of Islam and no school of Islamic jurisprudence that does not teach the necessity to work toward the political dominance of Islamic law and the subjugation of unbelievers under that law. People have a great deal of trouble acknowledging this due to the fact that there are obviously many Muslims who are not working toward this goal in any way, and because American Muslim advocacy groups have so successfully tarred as “bigotry” any honest discussion of the contents of Islamic doctrine regarding unbelievers. But these unpleasant facts will not go away simply because they are unpleasant.
Is “moderate” Islam even possible?
Anything is possible. But “moderate” Islam as an Islamic theological and legal construct does not now exist, and would need to be invented. Can it be done? The record of history shows that it is never wise to say that something could never happen. But as it would involve the overturning or wholesale reevaluation of the fonts of Islamic authority that have existed since virtually the beginning of Islam, it is extremely unlikely.
What about genuinely concerned, patriotic and devout Muslims? Are they confused? Will they one day have to choose between religion and country?
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