Why is that, when we study the contemporary Islamic world, we look to several centuries ago -- a la Irshad Manji -- and expect that mindsets from ages back can somehow explain contemporary affairs? Why is it that non-religious, or at least avowedly more secular persons, seek religious (i.e., "cultural") explanations for perceived shortcomings that should have material causes, economic, demographic, agricultural, mercantile, political, etc.? Islam is idealized, idolized and demonized as the "uber-religion" -- it exists as religion in place of the concept of religion, and as a normative ideal (or nemesis) it transcends space and time. Fascinating, isn't it?