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For other uses, see Robert Spencer (disambiguation).
Robert Bruce Spencer (born 1962) is an American blogger and author of articles and books relating to Islam and Islamic terrorism. He has published nine books, including two bestsellers, and also is a contributor to the FrontPage magazine, directed by David Horowitz. He created Jihad Watch, a blog that focuses on Islamic terrorism-related events and various Jihad-activity worldwide.[1]
[edit] BiographyRobert Spencer received a Master's degree in the department of Religious Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1986. His master's thesis is titled The Monophysite in the Mirror and concerns the Christological controversies of the early Church and their connection to various ecclesiological models. He claims it led him to study the Eastern Churches in depth, which "coalesced nicely" with his study of Islam.[2] [edit] ViewsSpencer holds the view that "traditional Islam contains violent and supremacist elements," and that "its various schools unanimously teach warfare against and the subjugation of unbelievers." He calls for Muslims to follow an interpretation of Islam that rejects violence and supremacism.[3]. Although he believes Islam has violent elements in its traditional teachings, he rejects the idea that all Muslims must necessarily be violent people as a misunderstanding of his position. He asserts that "Islam is not a monolith, and never have I said or written anything that characterizes all Muslims as terrorist or given to violence. I am only calling attention to the roots and goals of jihad violence. Any Muslim who renounces violent jihad and dhimmitude is welcome to join in our anti-jihadist efforts. Any hate in my books comes from Muslim sources I quote, not from me. Cries of "hatred" and "bigotry" are effectively used by American Muslim advocacy groups to try to stifle the debate about the terrorist threat."[4] Spencer has expressed strong criticism of the Council on American-Islamic Relations as well as numerous other Muslim advocacy groups, in particular relating to their alleged close ties with jihadist organisations such as the Muslim Brotherhood[5] and their employment of several Muslims who were later convicted on charges relating to terrorism.[6] Spencer says that among moderate Muslims "there are some who are genuinely trying to frame a theory and practice of Islam that will allow for peaceful coexistence with unbelievers as equals,"[7] but he also argues that many so-called reformers are not interested in genuine reform, instead aiming to deflect scrutiny of Islam. Spencer feels that anyone pursuing his called-for reforms will face a difficult task, because "the radicals actually do have a stronger theoretical, theological, and legal basis within Islam for what they believe than the moderates do."[8] [edit] Views on Spencer and his works[edit] Those who view Spencer positivelyThose with a positive view of Spencer's works include Daniel Pipes, Frank Gaffney, Ibn Warraq[9], Ann Coulter, Dennis Prager, Steven Emerson, Don Feder, Aaron Alghawi, Walid Phares, Michelle Malkin, R. James Woolsey, Jr., David G. Dalin[10] and Bat Ye'or,[11]. Daniel Pipes has said: "Robert Spencer and I have discussed the perceived differences in our view of Islam. He and I concluded that, although we have different emphases - he deals more with scriptures, I more with history - we have no disagreements."[12] He has also endorsed Spencer's books The Truth About Muhammad, and Onward Muslim Soldiers. Dennis Prager has said that Spencer's website, JihadWatch "is one of most honorable Web sites that I know of monitoring jihad in the world today."[13] R. James Woolsey, Jr. said of Spencer's Book "Stealth Jihad," "Robert Spencer makes a solid case that the major threat to our way of life does not come solely from those radical Islamists who embrace violence and terrorism. It also comes from those who do not accept that they must live side-by-side on a basis of equality with those of other faiths in a civil society." [14] [edit] Those who view Spencer negativelyKaren Armstrong, author of numerous books on comparative religion, wrote in her review of Spencer's books that he writes in hatred. On his methods, she wrote: he deliberately manipulates the evidence to support his thesis.[15] Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, in her book Reconciliation: Islam, Democracy, and the West, called Spencer a "radical intellectual" and accused him of "falsely constructing a divide between Islam and West." Regarding Spencer's blog JihadWatch, she said he uses the Internet to spread misinformation and hatred of Islam and presents a "skewed, one-sided, and inflammatory story that only helps to sow the seed of civilizational conflict."[16] Professor Khaleel Mohammed and Spencer have had detailed discussions on FrontPage Magazine.[17][18][19][20] Professor Khaleel Mohammed wrote that as a scholar he prefers to engage in discussion where facts, rather than fictions and prejudgments are presented. And not where the interpretation of Islam is by those whose agenda is based on hate.[21] Carl Ernst and William Kenan have called him an "Islamophobe".[22] Ernst notes that Spencer's articles have never been published in peer-reviewed academic journals, nor are his publications similarly reviewed or edited by a qualified scholar and published by an academic or university publishers but by conservative presses such as Regnery Publishing.[22] [edit] Spencer's responses to some criticsIn response to criticism, Spencer says that none of his critics have substantiated their accusations of inaccuracy in his work, but content themselves with broad and vague accusations. He says:
In response to Khaleel Mohammed, Spencer says:
In response to Benazir Bhutto Spencer asserts that at least some of what she wrote is a case of mistaken identity. In her book Bhutto quotes Ibn Warraq but then mistakenly asserts that those words were written by Spencer:
[edit] Book-banThe government of Pakistan announced on 20 December 2006 its ban on Robert Spencer's book, The Truth About Muhammad, citing "objectionable material" as the cause.[25] [edit] Bibliography[edit] Best sellers
[edit] Others
[edit] See also
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