Sunday, December 01, 2024

Reopening Muslim Minds: A Return to Reason, Freedom, and Tolerance

Reopening Muslim Minds: A Return to Reason, Freedom, and Tolerance by Mustafa Akyol

Many Islamic states still have a "religious police" that enforce certain interpretations of Islam. These interpretations are grounded in historical precedent and are not necessarily appropriate for today's world. There are rules that were very progressive when written that have been interpreted in more regressive ways. (Inheritance is an example.) Some states continue to have the death penalty for those leaving Islam. The author compares this to a state of Christianity a few centuries ago. There were previously witch hunts and inquisitions to ensure people remained faithful. Today people are free to convert to other sects or leave Christianity. Those that remain are more likely to be people of faith than those that are coerced. Islam is now going through some of those same steps.

No comments:

Post a Comment