philsci 3

I'm afraid that a 'paradigm shift' in the attitude of muslims towards the basis of their religion is improbable in the short run (no matter the contrary evidence the muslims will stubbornly defend all the central tenets of their religious doctrine, no critical thinking; the qur'an itself is responsible for this via it's many 'special mechanisms' to avoid non-trivial changes). There are some real attempts to modernize islam (see below*, a mere return to the qur'an is no solution) but overall the perspectives do not look bright; at the moment the situation it's like trying to take the loaded guns from some kids, unaware of the danger, playing with them...the adverse reaction in the absence/rejection of critical thinking will be, obviously, extreme - this does not mean that there are not rational muslims, unfortunately they have to hide at the moment). There must be no barriers for freedom of [rational] inquiry; basically nothing is beyond rational criticism and possible replacement in the future (but critical thinking does not imply criticism for the sake of criticism). http://www.reformislam.org/ - I really doubt however that this initiative will have a sizeable impact, on short run, in the dogmatic muslim world. Anyways all respect for such courageous people (the acceptation of responsibility for the evils done in the name of Islam is especially important, the recognition that the crusades were not really unprovoked acts of aggression included)...The only way to really reform Islam (the Islam of the last 1400 years is certainly not moderate) is indeed to renounce the view that the Qur'an is the exact, eternal, word of Allah in favor of the view that it was created* and capable of evolution; thus not without error (the harsh treatment of unbelievers, minorities etc being erroneous or valid only in the remote past**). Now it is debatable that such a strongly reformed religion is still Islam (although some argue that if one accepts minimally the five pillars of [sunni] Islam then one is a muslim)...anyways it leaves unanswered the question of why should Muhammad still be seen as a model for modern human beings... *by Muhammad (be it only at the unconscious level), although influenced by higher powers; further transformed by the early muslims **similar to the view of moderate Christians about the Bible (especially the Old Testament)