It is far too simplistic to call them extremists.
And it isn't simplistic to exonerate the entire Islamic majority from the crime of supporting Shariah? How many of these peaceful, law-abiding Muslims had the courage or curiosity to question, at the very least, the worst aspects of Islam? Even if they are not "extremists" according to your definition, they are still despicable, being the mediocre bigots that they are. Being "such a huge proportion" is not an excuse at all.
Your position is similar to that naive worldview espoused by some people --that all human beings are inherently and unconditionally good. You know, criminals are just the victims of society, they are all angels deep inside, etc. If the overwhelming majority of Muslims are just the victims of their religion, who are the criminals? My sympathy belongs to the victims of Shariah, not to its advocates --nor to the silent, hypocritical crowds who avert their eyes when they see Shariah at action.
It is possible to come up with all kinds of excuses to defend the delusions of the average Muslim. What about the victims of Shariah? For me, protecting the victims of Shariah is infinitely more important than offering some more comfort to the average Muslim. Let them watch how we desecrate their idols.
"A minority may be right, but a majority is always wrong."
Henrik Ibsen
No, Zaephon, you don't seem to understand what I am saying. Maybe in Turkey is is now commonly accepted that a Muslim can reject the concept of Shari'ah and still consider himself a Muslim.
But for most Muslims they feel that accepting "Shari'ah" is akin to accepting the Qur'an is God's word - they cannot reject it.
I used to believe in Shari'ah, Zaephon - do you think I was ever an "Extremist"?
Saying one believes in Shari'ah - for most ordinary Muslims -
doesn't mean they want Taliban or Saudi or any existing form of traditional Shari'ah.
They simply believe in it as an "ideal" - because they think they have to.
They are either completely ignorant of what Shari'ah means and/or believe in some as yet untried perfect ideal of "God's Law" that when implemented would be happy and wonderful for everyone.
I used to believe in Shari'ah in such a way - as some sort of perfect system that as yet we haven't yet truly discovered. I totally rejected - and condemned - the Shari'ah laws found in Saudi/Iran/Taliban or indeed anywhere in the world.
I don't know a genuine Muslim who will not support the ideal of Shari'ah in some way. They simply don't think they have the option of rejecting it.
But I wasn't an extremist - nor were all the Muslims I knew "Extremists" - in any way shape or form.
It was only when I finally rejected Islam and no-longer believed the Qur'an was word of God that I finally was able to dump the idea of a Perfect Divine Code (Sharia'h) also.
If you are going to call all Muslims who believe in Shari'ah "Extremist" then you have to call all Muslims who believe in the Qur'an "Extremist"
Topic: Who Is An Extremist?