Robert Spencer

Robert Spencer clarifies several points:

1. Islam is not a race. One does not become a racist by opposing the jihad ideology.

   And anyone that says Muslims must not be offended by what people say about their faith, should consider what many secularists say about Christans, and we did not fly any planes into buildings, or riot after a few cartoons are piblished.

2. I do not wish to drive all Muslims into the sea.

   Although many muslims want to do exactly that with Jews (Israel)/

3. I have never said that the only good Muslim is an ex-Muslim.
4. I have never said that Muslims want to kill all Jews and Christians.

   They may be happy with forced conversion or subjigation.

5. I do not single out the jihadist interpretation of Islam and anoint it as the only legitimate interpretation. As I have pointed out many times, all the orthodox sects and schools of jurisprudence teach violent jihad. I would love to highlight mainstream peaceful Islamic sects that are regarded as orthodox by other Muslims. Unfortunately, such sects do not exist. Courageous sincere individual reformers are deeply appreciated and to be applauded, but they are just that -- individuals.
6. It is false that by pointing out how jihadists use the Qur'an and Islamic teaching, I am encouraging and legitimizing those jihadists or pushing moderate Muslims to become jihadists. In fact, they do not listen to me. More importantly, it is incumbent upon moderates to refute the jihad ideology if they can. But if I can find holes in the moderates' presentations, jihadists will find ten more. And so those moderate constructions will prove useless to do what must be done: convincing Muslims to be peaceful.
7. Tabari says Aisha was nine when Muhammad consummated his marriage with her. That he says more about Aisha doesn't mean that somewhere he contradicts this assertion.