Rise of extremist groups shows moderation progressing, says Reza Aslan

[trotsky]

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/rise-of-extremist-groups-shows-moderation-progressing-says-reza-aslan

The rise of extremist voices is a good sign that diversity and plurality have advanced enough to make right-wing groups afraid of their progress, Muslim Iranian-American scholar Dr Reza Aslan said, in telling Malaysians that fanatical ideas would ultimately end up in "the dustbin of history".

Moderates in Malaysia should, therefore, take heart, even though Malay Muslim groups with their exclusive and "puritanical" brand of Islam were growing more strident, as this was a natural reaction to the progress that moderates have made, he told The Malaysian Insider.

Fundamentalism was a reactionary phenomenon to diversity, pluralism and forward movement in societies worldwide, and like everywhere else in the world, it would not last in Malaysia, he said in a phone interview.

This guy could give ol' Baghdad Bob a run for his money.

[RussBLib]

1. wasn't Aslan recently holding Malaysia up as an example of a rather progressive Islam?

Perhaps he was full of shit.

[trotsky]

2. The growing presence of fundamentalism only proves he was correct, duh!

It's awesome to be Reza Aslan. Even when the facts contradict you, you're still right! No wonder he is a hero to some.

[Warren Stupidity]

3. OK. Aslan still an idiot. Nothing has changed.

I've tried to like him, but he keeps saying shit like this. Anything but admit the obvious: we have a religion problem.

[truebrit71]

4. Further proof that having the moniker "Dr"...

... doesn't prevent you from saying some really, really stupid shit...

[onager]

5. Clarification...

Our plan to implement a more progressive, diverse, and forward-moving version of Islam is right on schedule. Refer to Notes On The Plenary Islamic Kum-Ba-Yah Council, Section MMXXVIII, Sub-section 347-Alpha, page 4,273.

In the meantime, thousands of you and your loved ones will be, regrettably, somewhat killed, tortured and enslaved. We deeply regret the inconvenience.

[Promethean]

6. I agree that the extremist forces have started shouting louder

because we are advancing. I disagree that they they are appearing because of it. They were always there, they just were getting their way.