One of the most curious aspects of Islam is that it is by nature completely fundamentalist. There is no room for inquiry, questioning or differences of opinion – at least not for the pious Muslim. This is why the claim that Muslims are sophisticated moderates seems so outlandish and quite contrary to what the theology actually says. There is of course nothing moderate about the political ideology of Islam. Islam is of course not a religion but a political program of control, imperialism, and domination:

“Islam is not monolithic. Sunnism, Shiaism, Salafism and many other subgroups all have different sects, beliefs, and degrees of commitment. Yet the central fact remains that the Koran, the Hadiths [supplements explaining what Mohammed really meant in the Koran] and Sharia Law [the legal code which enforces Koranic doctrine], are the foundations of Islamic life. There might be differences between the sub groups and sects on the literal interpretation of various parts of the trinity of the Islamic ideology, but all Muslims believe that civil, political and religious society is subservient to the Koran, Hadiths and Sharia Law.

....Paganisms elevate the leader, the cult, the universality of the program, and the destruction of individuality, responsibility and the meaning of life. Paganisms prefer death; a violent reordering of reality and the imposition of slavery to the ideology, in place of the world of the six senses, freedom and the celebration of life.”

Early urban Christians called country-folk, pagus, or hicks. A pagan or pagus personality, was someone who was superstitious, engaged in idol worship, not particularly bright or educated, and most likely a country-rustic, missing more than a few teeth. Paganisms were viewed as primitive groups of subservients, all bowing down to a leader, and to some rather incomprehensible gibberish which informed the cult and its practice. It is a rather apt depiction of Islam.

Islam is obsessed with 'us' versus 'them'. Christianity never was and never is. For Christians, the Golden Rule, along with reason through faith were the essential tenets. Jews, Blacks, Arabs, Whites, or any other denomination of homo sapiens could participate. Not so with Islam. Only those who follow Allah – the moon deity of Mecca – will prosper. When the Koran discussed 'righteousness' it means only Muslims are 'right' and the 'rest' are wrong. Those who commit 'wrongs' are to be punished by death, hellfire, or eternal torment.

“You burn therein: the same is it to you whether you bear it with patience or not: you but receive the recompense of your (own) deeds.” [52:16]

But:

“As to the righteous, they will be in Gardens, and in Happiness, -” [52:17]

Good Muslims are embraced by Allah and guaranteed a good afterlife – at least Muslim men are. The men get the young buttocks of the nubile young men, wine, water and sexy virginal women whose orgasms which can last a 1000 years. It is deadly silent about the benefits for Muslim women. In fact none anywhere in the Koran are listed. This is hardly surprising since Islam was a cult set up for the benefit of Arab males.

“But Allah has been gracious to use, and has delivered us from the Penalty of the Scorching Wind.” [52:27]

In Muslim theology, the 'us' in the Koran is acknowledged to be Muslim males. Women are worth ½ or less of a man according to Koranic law; and since men can have up to 4 wives, and many sex-slaves, it is clear who benefits from the Allah-cult – men. Women are not even considered in the overall power structure of the Arab paganism.

Neither are Jews, Christians and the infidel unbelievers. The Koran often and angrily, refrains that the other monotheists reject the Koran as being 'uncreated', or the work of 'God' from the 'Mother Book'. Their defence is a logical fallacy; the Koran must be the work of 'God' since you the Jew or Christian cannot produce a Sura like it. This would be like a Scientologist telling an Atheist that humans do come from the planet Theta, because the Atheist cannot produce anything which would be included in the Dianetics-Scientology cult-book. It makes no sense.

“Let them then produce a recital like it, - if (it be) they speak the Truth!” [52:34]

Since the Unbelievers are going to die anyways, it makes no difference if they believer or not. The pious Muslim can just ignore the polytheists; the pagans; and the animists. This is especially true if the Muslim community is weak, or a minority. In that case, violence might not be the best method to spread the cult. Muslims should go own with their business, ignore the infidel and obey Allah who will kill them anyways:

“So leave them alone until they encounter that Day of theirs, wherein they shall (perforce) swoon (with terror), -” [52:45]

The Muslim 'God' will keep a list of who is naughty and who is nice, and reward those with the good thoughts and deeds [or who follow the Koran]; and punish those who do not follow the moon-cult. It does not matter if for example a pious Jew was a good man, lived a good life, was honest, decent, gave to charity, raised an ethical and moral family – he is going to hellfire. There is no 'nuances' in Islam. It is fundamentalism, intolerant and discriminating.

And to make sure that the moon-guy is happy, you have to observe his greatness when the moon passes across the night sky:

“And for part of the night also you praise Him, - and at the retreat of the stars!” [52:49]

Praise Him. Make him happy. Don't pray for ethical guidance or leadership. Don't pray for wisdom or clarity. Don't pray for improvement, hope, faith or individual salvation. 'Pray to Him' to make 'him' like you, so maybe 'he' will take pity on you and like you. Can you conceive of something so irrational and anti-humanist ?

There is nothing religious or interesting in such an idea.

[Note: This sura is taken from 'The Holy Quran', translated by Abdullah Yusuf Ali, reprinted in 1995, Goodword Books. Regarded as one of the best translations from Arabic to English of the Koran.]