A pretty good discussion here between Andrew McCarthy and Mansoor Ijaz. McCarthy takes the negative proposition here as he argues that Islam cannot reform because the Koran, unlike the Bible, is considered to be the word of God as told to Mohammed by the angel Gabriel. In contrast, the Bible was 'inspired' by people and events.
The key difference is that to question the Koran can be considered blasphemy while different interpretations of the Bible is not heresy. McCarthy, a former Assistant US Attorney, is a strict constitutionalist who argues that 'reform' cannot succeed because the bin Ladens have the Koran to fall back on but moderate Islam does not. Period.
Ijaz, an American of Pakistani origin who has mediated conflict in Sudan and Kashmir,
could not counter McCarthy's primary point but essentially tries to argue the affirmative by asserting that moderate Muslims can be taught to believe in a living, breathing Koran rather than the original text.
A bit long but worth the effort.
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