On the off chance that you don't already know, Robert Spencer (of Jihad Watch) has a new book out: The Truth about Muhammad (subtitled: Founder of the World's Most Intolerant Religion). I just finished reading it over the weekend. I wish everyone could. Unfortunately, the people who most need to read it, probably won't.
Yesterday, One Jerusalem sponsored a bloggers' conference call with Spencer. The audio will be available shortly here. Among the highlights of a very interesting interview was Spencer's response to a question about the differences between his view and that of Dr. Daniel Pipes on the question of "moderate Islam." Pipes has famously suggested that "radical [or militant] Islam is the problem and moderate Islam is the solution." Spencer has always seemed to be among those who question this premise, but his answer was very diplomatic as well as both informative and discouraging. He said that he supports Pipes "one hundred percent," that they have discussed the "moderate Islam" question and agree that the moderate Islam that's the solution "doesn't exist and needs to be formulated." Spencer also noted that "moderate Islam is in retreat everywhere in the world."
Dr. Pipes' elaboration of his own position can be found here, among other places. I still do see some space between them and, while I share Spencer's respect and admiration for Pipes' work, I have to confess that I tend to find Spencer's analysis somewhat more persuasive on this issue, especially in light of the extensive research and original source material with which he always backs it up.
Which brings me back to his book and its importance. Spencer related that a well known "moderate Muslim" accused him of "making up" a story that's a focal point of the book: Muhammad's marriage to the ex-wife of his adopted son. It's a ludicrous allegation, as the story is well known and well documented in Muslim sources which, of course, Spencer footnotes copiously and in detail. If you don't have easy access to the historical sources he cites, numerous accounts of it, both critical and laudatory, can also be found on line. Here, for example, is a version of it at Islamweb.
Spencer's critics are almost always reduced to blanket assertions of "lies," "distortions" and "make believe," but can rarely point to specific instances of any of these things. When they do, as in this case, their claims are easily refuted. For this reason alone (and there are many others), The Truth about Muhammad should be within easy reach of anyone attempting to respond effectively to today's pervasive "religion of peace" propaganda.
