THE NEW ISLAMIC STATE

I'm starting the New Year with a new proposal: the New Islamic State.

The NIS will be an alternative to ISIS (or ISIL or DASH).

Any Islamic nation may join, as may any Muslim group or, for that matter, any individual Muslim. If you feel the pressure to pledge allegiance to an Islamic State, sign your ass up. You don't have to go anywhere. Just join in place to enjoy the benefits of your new community.

But listen up—joining the NIS commits you to a short list of tenets:

1. Anyone who follows the Quran is a Muslim: Sunni, Shia, etc. No more rifts inside Islam.

2. The New Islamic State is content with whatever members it might have. There is no desire to extend itself across the world or to promote Islam in places not already Muslim. The NIS is not in competition with any other religion for any reason.

3. The Western powers (including the United States of America) are not in a war against Islam.

4. Israel has the right to exist, in the region in which it currently exists, in some form or other. Details to be worked out later with the Palestinians, etc.

5. Islam is an established, big-boy religion that does not require any member to "defend" it against protest or derogatory comment. You support Islam by behaving like a good Muslim, not by attacking anybody else for any reason. Depicting the Prophet in any light or manner is perhaps reason for outrage amongst Believers, but never an excuse for action. Live and let live.

6. Islam is a free religion that may be joined or abandoned without penalty. Leaving Islam is therefore not legitimate grounds for execution. Again: Live and let live.

That's pretty much it.

Folks loyal to Islam can have a place to register their support that doesn't require them to shoot a gun or strap on a suicide vest.

There is of course always the danger the New Islamic State will get hijacked by radicals and used as a weapon against non-Muslims. Remember, we're dealing with religion here, a major chunk of traditional human insanity.

But things aren't going in the right direction now and for the foreseeable future. I think we may need to try something big.