I that Western reform minded Muslims needed to coalition with those non-Muslims who advocated humanist liberal values. I haven't catalogued what such thoughts meant to Muslims, but I believe it had four different effects on non-Muslims:
Don't bother inviting us. I don't care about your religion. I only care that your religion not be used a tool for violence against me. If you reformist Muslims can separate violence from your religion, kudos; if not, we masters of the Western Civilization aren't very forgiving, and we have big dicks guns.
This letter is great. Look everyone, this Muslim guy thinks it is OK for non-Muslims to coerce Islam to reform itself. That's awesome. Ok, so listen up Muslims, I am emailing you a list of things you need to fix, so chop-chop. It includes violence, but also anti-semitism, women's rights, and your failure to patent technology. Oh, you need some help? Well, here are some ex-Muslims who are pretty good at complaining about the entire Muslim world. Start with them. So what that you don't give them any authority. We're saying you should. These ex-Muslims should be your role models in how to deal with your religion.
Interesting letter. So this Muslim guy is doing work. He is an activist within his religion the way there are activists in every religion. Of course, Islam needs all the internal activists it can get. I hope the people he's promoting catch-on. If they do, that would alleviate Muslim violence, help take a step towards more rights for women and minorities, and would introduce positive elements of the Islamic Tradition to us (hold on, though, is it OK to say there is such a thing as an Islamic Tradition? I don't want to be offensive). Well, I don't know, these guys seem sincere and I'm curious. Let me watch and see what they do. If they ever seem down I suppose I can commend them.
What is wrong with this Muslim guy? He's playing into the hands of the neo-cons and the Right. They will use his words to attack Muslims, extent the war to Iran, curtail Muslim civil liberties, and make Islam look backward. You know what? Eff him. If I ignore him, he'll go away. I can count on the NYTimes to do this with me because they think like me. Doesn't he know that violence and aggression are caused by poverty? If Muslims weren't so poor they wouldn't tolerate the violence they produce. Nor do I care if common sense and prominent studies disprove that. Someone get an NGO to get these people some money. Someone, anyone. It can't be me because I can't go and do social work and I'm not about to join the army. Ultimately there is nothing I can do except pump cash. Anyway, down with FGM, Save Darfur. Viva La Revolucion.
Positions 1 and 4 I can't work with. Position 2 is good in the ends it wants. I share those. It is not good in its method. It is combative, aggressive and angry. It is composed of self-identified neo-cons and Republicans or "hawks." this makes them very bad candidates for engaging with the Muslim communities. Muslims the world over associate aggression and disrespect towards these groups -- even if these groups contain wonderful individuals (and they do). So Position 2 I can work with on a limited bases, but certainly never for them -- which is too bad because this group has a lot of resources, a lot of range, and a lot of people. Muslims that do end up working with these groups get ignored, even if they are well intentioned (Stephen Schwartz). Position 2 is good for people like Irshad and Bridgitte Jibreel. Not me.
This means that only group 3 is left -- the only non-assertive group. The most reluctant. On one hand they feel very strongly about 'the good.' On the other hand they are very timid because they don't want to offend anyone.
Well group 3, today is your lucky day. I am saying to you that you fit in at Eteraz. We have a book club to learn you with and a wiki coming to refer you to. On top of that, here are some other projects that you can engage in:
Find and bring other Type 3 people here.
Talk to type 2's anywhere you can find them and argue with them as to why their methods are wrong. Use the reader diaries to ping them. Usually when Eteraz pings, people respond. If they don't, go tell them.
Go to places like Memri, Jihadwatch and LGF and keep us apprised of any reformist Muslims in trouble. Usually these sites are quite good at identifying such people, but do little or nothing to evaluate or help them. All self-styled reformists are not worth helping.
Identify and study those situations where Islam is not the problem. This will bring perspective to your thinking.
Use your language skills to translate stuff.
Word of mouth.
Finally, and most importantly, stop referring to yourself as "non-believer" or "non-Muslim." Screw that distinction. It is irrelevant. Not flouting your lack of Islam won't automatically turn you into a Muslim, so you can relax. If you're really that worried, make a Western sounding screename. Remember, you are simply a participant in a net roots project about Islam. It matters little what you believe, and more what you want to see occur. From my end, I will also stop talking in terms of Muslim/Non-Muslim and talk in terms of "we."
Extending the scope of our "we" is what Richard Rorty prescribed as the singular most important step in creating a world of solidarity. That is ultimately what we are working for.
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