So at the synagogue reading group, THIS was the latest book selection.
Now, I went out of my way to learn nothing about the author.
I wondered why and who chose this book.
I wondered if we would have a touchy feely pc discussion.
So let's have a quick, Epa review of the book first.
I REALLY feel bad for Mr. Azlan. He is an american. He is of iranian descent. He is not one of the bad guys. He probably would fare badly in most mosques, not in this nation, and maybe IN this nation as well. He wants badly for Islam to be an Episcopalian more oatmeal and granola peace be unto you gentleness. He is a blatant apologist and admits it. He thinks there is a reformation going on and says not to worry because all this hubbub will end with a kinder gentler Islam, and one of the reasons is....GET READY.....the greater Jihad is internal struggle and these other guys are wrong.
Imagine my sensation seeing that hunk of stuff on the sidewalk.
From the article . . .
ReplyDelete"Whoa .. .Hope."
Dare I hope? Perhaps.
But did anyone recommend further reading - per chance suggesting:
Robert Spencer's "Truth about Muhammad",and "Islam Unveiled" and "The Myth of Islamic Tolerance" and "Onward Muslim Soldiers"
or Ibn Warraq's "What the Koran Really Says: Language, Text, and Commentary"
or Serge Trifkovic's "Sword of the Prophet"
or Bat Ye'or's "Eurabia" and "The Decline of Eastern Christianity Under Islam"
or "The Legacy of Jihad" edited by Andrew Bostom
or "Religion of Peace?: Islam's War Against the World" by Gregory M. Davis?
Any one of the above books will initiate the much needed conversation which began as surprising nods of acknowledgement (recognition of taqiyya) at this book club meeting.
It does not matter who suggested reading Aslan's "No god but God . . .". The nodding consensus of this reading group should give rise to outspoken courage and continue this necessary conversation if not through books then suggesting a variety of blogs such as IBA or JW/DW.
Step up and suggest further exploration to this group when you meet to discuss the next chapter.
I look forward to checking the 'torches' blog in a few weeks to read the update about the direction the reading group took - looking for more signs of "hope".