The Jihad against Muslims.

• Author: Mirvish, Anthony
• Position: Letters - Letter to the editor

Cathy Young should inform herself better about the views of the people she criticizes ("The Jihad Against Muslims," June). Robert Spencer of Jihad Watch has stated clearly that he is in favor of reform from within Islam's ranks, and he acknowledges that there are moderate Muslims. But he disputes the idea that Islam itself is either doctrinally or historically moderate. Consequently, reform will require the repudiation of certain well-established tenets of Islamic theory and practice. In support of this view, he cites multiple references from all major branches of Islamic doctrine, scholarship, and jurisprudence.

In Spencer's own words, "The difference is actually this: if a Lutheran preacher in 1520 said, 'the Church teaches transubstantiation, and that is wrong" he would have been a reformer (leaving aside the question of the legitimacy of the reform, which has nothing to do with my point). If he had said, 'the Church has never taught transubstantiation,' he would not have been a reformer. He would have been a deceiver."

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