The passage discusses the perspectives of various individuals, including both scholars and laypeople, who argue that fundamentalist interpretations of Islam struggle to remain relevant outside their historical context in seventh-century Arabia. They suggest that when contemporary science, logic, or humanistic views are applied to these beliefs, they tend to collapse under scrutiny. This viewpoint highlights a perceived fragility in the strict orthodoxy of the faith.

Furthermore, the passage critiques the reliance on fear and violence within Islam, as it posits that threats of death serve to maintain control and suppress criticism. The idea is that such extreme measures create a totalitarian environment, which stifles any dissenting voices or inquiries into the religion, thus preventing it from having to justify or defend its doctrines in a modern context.