With this, one can see what I’ve always thought of as an obvious defense mechanism on the part of many Muslims, to say nothing of religious people in general. Where there is no direct link, as with Islam and scientific achievement, every attempt is made to try and establish one. But when there is a direct link between scripture and action—as in the case of jihadist violence or hitting one’s wife—it is not only denied, but those who do point it out are labeled ignorant, or even bigoted. That, of course, isn’t a counterargument; it’s evidence of a lack of one.
