Celebration of Heresy Conference

Yes, that is the name of it. And look who is hosting it.

About 75 activists, educators, students and others gathered this weekend to discuss what they see as a "crisis over the intolerance of difference" in the Muslim faith.

Who are these activists, students and others? They were all Muslims. and they are making some some bold statements.

An-Na'im said that Muslims must figure out how to legitimize and reinforce Democratic values from an Islamic perspective.

Abdullahi An-Na'im, a professor at Emory University's School of Law and co-organizer of the conference, said

"Heresy is creative," An-Na'im said. "It reaffirms the need to create space for disagreement. If our religious values are strong, heresy will not hurt us. If they are weak, heresy will remind us what we need to be doing."

And

"Islam is not the problem," he said. "If Islam is consistent with Democracy, why are most Muslim societies not Democratic? The religion is not opposed to it."

It's a start, but I doubt a bunch of Muslims in America are going to have much pull in the politics and beliefs of the Middle East. At least they are talking abut it.