Yes, Greg, I’ve heard (and even made) the argument that the problem is that Islam hasn’t had it’s reformation yet. Unfortunately there is a cultural stigma against self analysis or change. Reading Bernard Lewis, and Karen Armstrong on Islam, one gets the sense that there is even a Taboo against suggesting change.

Now I have read some who argue that Wahabism is, in fact, a reformation. Just not the kind we’d lik. Who knows. So far, though, the trend seems to be to blame Islam’s problems on the US, Europe, Israel… i.e. anyone but the Muslims themselves. You see, “the MAN is holding them back.”

And, yes, I fully agree that it will get much worse before it gets better. And that is a real tragedy.