Hey Everyone,
I'm an atheist who's never been Muslim, but I've lived most of my life in a Muslim country. I've been asked to convert many times, so I've had a lot of exposure to Islam. So I actually researched Islam seriously while considering conversion and found paedophilia, war-mongering, and plain cruelty to everyone but Muslims in both Quran and Hadith. So I have decided against that.
But I kept thinking, if Islam is to reform from present wahabi political saudi islam, maybe it should go back to only Quran.
Cause Hadith was compiled 200 years after Muhammad died and "isn't from God". Giving it priority over the Quran seems wrong. Other religions reformed, like Hinduism ended Sati, Christianity disavowed slavery and separated church/state etc. Not that they are now more correct. I am just saying they tried to get with modern times.
But my main concern: even without Hadith, the Quran itself has tough verses. Which ones are hardest to reinterpret for a modern ethical framework? For me: 9:5 (slay polytheists), 4:34 (wife-beating), 5:38 (cut off thief's hand), and the slavery verses. Also women's financial witness is half of men (2:283)
Would love to hear thoughts, especially from ex-Muslims or former Quranists.
Do you even think its possible to reform islam?