The main issue I have with non literal interpretations of Islam is that they just won't hold up to criticism from islamic clerics.
The only way to gain the upper-hand over them is to criticize religion directly. Attempting to use non literal progressive islam to defeat orthodox islam is like trying to win a boxing match while wearing a straight jacket.
I mean its not a coincidence that the exmuslim movement has surpassed the progressive muslim movement in size despite the fact that progressive muslim orgs have existed since before the exmuslim scene started exploding.
That's specifically why I said "what reformed Islam will look like for them individually." I personally have no interest in trying to reform Islam through some new interpretation that I'll put toe to toe against a more traditional interpretation as being both reformed and authentic.
Most "traditional" Muslims (I use that term in the absence of a better one) will always call me a Kafir or a Murtad, and I honestly don't give a fuck. I don't believe in any sort of literal concept of God. I drink alcohol. I committed zina less than eight hours ago. I had some pork ribs over the weekend (and completely shattered my diet). I pay interest on my loans. I watched the sun come up this morning and the idea of prostrating eastward never crossed my mind. To many Muslims, I'm a disbeliever and that's all there is to it. I'm not trying to convince them otherwise.
But for me, even my disbelief stems from my experience as a Muslim. It is precisely because of my unique experience with Islam that I no longer feel shackled by it, or by any other religion. I'm beginning to see this less as me being ex-Muslim and more as me simply transcending Islam.
And as I continue to explore all of what it means to be human in the secular world, I realize that having a religious heritage is not something unique to Muslims. It is not something to be ashamed of. Islam is mine, and I'll do with it what I want.
Islam is still "in me" in the form of my memories, many of my habits, and many of my thoughts and actions. It affects me in ways that it does not affect those who have never been Muslim.
I'd love to be able to say that once I committed "kufr," I was suddenly transformed into a new person with a new identity and new background, but that simply isn't true. To deny my Islam, even to continue to rebel against that part of me, is to deny and rebel against a portion of my human experience - a formative portion at that.
I won't let some fanatical salafi or some self appointed spokesperson for "reform" take away a space that feels comfortable and natural to me. Nor will I feel compelled to choose between Muslim and ex-Muslim. As absurdist so eloquently put it, I'm still comfortable in both spaces.
PS
And Rastafari Islam could stand up to criticism.
Poll
Topic: Which is more realistic - Reform or apostasy?