'Pure Islam is pure evil.'

'Pure Islam is pure evil.' So writes a repeated pastor friend.

I have two problems with this, the theological and the semantic.

Islam like Christianity and Judaism has varied manifestations. Most Muslims in the West are no threat to civil peace. They may think they follow a religion of peace. But tell that to a Sallafi.

'The Salafi movement or Salafist movement or Salafism is a revivalist movement within Sunni Islam that developed in Egypt in the late 19th century as a response to European imperialism. However, some sources cite additional roots in the 18th-century Wahhabi movement. It advocated a return to the traditions of the salaf, who are the first three generations of scholars after the Prophet Muhammad.

The Salafist doctrine is centered around the concept of looking back to a prior historical period in an effort to understand how the contemporary world should be ordered.  They reject religious innovation or bid'ah, and support the implementation of sharia (Islamic law). The movement is often divided into three categories: the largest group are the purists (or quietists), who avoid politics; the second largest group are the activists, who get involved in politics; the third group are the jihadists, who form a minority.'

It is with these jihadists that one is concerned. They disqualify any concept of religion of peace being applied to Islam.

'The majority of the Salafis in the Gulf states reside in Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Salafis are the "dominant minority" in Saudi Arabia.There are 4 million Saudi Salafis since 22.9% of Saudis are Salafis (concentrated in Najd).Salafi literalist creed has also gained some acceptance in Turkey.'

Who knows what proportion are jihadists?

'At times, Salafism has been deemed a hybrid of Wahhabism and other post-1960s movements. Salafism has become associated with literalist, strict approaches to Islam – and, particularly in the West, with the Salafi Jihadis who espouse violent jihad against those they deem to be enemies of Islam as a legitimate expression of Islam.'

Their enemies are not merely non-muslims but Muslims who are not with their Salafi thought.

So what is Islam? A coat with many colours.

As to "pure", my problem is pure can mean unadulterated  - 100% - and it can also mean wholesome.

'not mixed or adulterated with any other substance or material.

"cars can run on pure alcohol" ·

synonyms: unmixed · unalloyed · unadulterated · unblended · 

wholesome and untainted by immorality, especially that of a sexual nature.

"our fondness for each other is pure and innocent"

synonyms: virtuous · moral · ethical · good · righteous · angelic'

Islam is a mixed bag, a broad church. It is mixed. Salafi jihadism is never wholesome but it is not the whole of Islam. It is the dangerous minority. Saudi money spreads it all. Saudi is in permanent conflict with Iran. Sunni and Shi'a. Anyone for a religion of peace?