Originally posted by robertteh:
Muslims do not seem to realize that many non-muslims have become muslims and not as heretic as they believe.
Currently many Muslims were from other religions because of such a thing called personal communication between believer and god or allah. Many non-muslim Chinese too and other races have no inhibition to be converted to muslims based on their own personal communication with god. So by the same token or common sense muslims should not become paranoid by raising issue of their own believers converting to other religions for the same reason - personal experience with god or Allah.
Surely it is in every one's interest to encourage muslims to moderate and continue to be broadminded and reject the extremist from jihad and finally accept any inroad made by other religions like the catholics into their own religion.
Moderation as slowly evolving by the modern Arabs of Saudi Arabia will have to gain momentum and demonstrate to the rest of muslim world as the more acceptable direction to take for their muslim religion.
Agree... But the deep seated insecurities of many conservative muslims and a reflex rejection of anything the deem to be "western" or "liberal" will hinder such efforts.
How can u progress when the very concept of progress is deemed to be "western" and therefore,
haram.
One thing that DEFINITELY hinders the development of progressive thought in Islam is USA's clumsy efforts at supporting "moderates". The problem is that any such "moderate" candidates immediately risks becoming seen as a western puppet and becomes a walking figure-11 for extremists.
Read properly, Islam itself is an very progressive theology with extremely lively discourses who at some points in history, far exceeded Christian Europe in intellectual vibrancy, scientific progress, religious tolerance and social organisation.