My final thoughts on Islam

[deonon]

I've been thinking about Islam a bit recently, mainly because its the only religion these days that still has its grubby little fingers stuck in government of various nations. Added to this was some re-reading I've been doing about the 300 Spartans and Thermopylae, and I think it's finally gelled.

Comments

[sim_james]

   Is this a specifically Saudi mindset? Seems to me that African and Asian Islam share this intolerance, and they are not necessarily culturally Arabian. I think that it’s a matter of fundamentalism vs. modern religion - American fundamentalism is also opposed to multicultural and inclusive values

[deonon]

It isn't specifically a Saudi Arabian mindset, just as the opposite isn't as well. I just chose the two polar examples of Muslim Nations as a useful tool to demonstrate that Islam can come in different types, and not all of them are hateful necessarily to the West.

The difference with American fundamentalism is that they have inshrined within their constitution the separation of church and state: and although there has been periodic attacks on such they have managed to maintain it for the long term (200+ years.) There is a large difference between having fundamentalist preachers (and living under civil and common law) and living under canon law, under the direct command of the religious leaders.

I'm actually looking to France and the rest of Europe more: I feel if they went to war it would be for more of the right reasons (liberty, fraternity, equality) rather than turning it into a Christian Crusade.

[sam_sonite]

Fundamentalists in the US are trying to find ways to bend the separation of church and state rule. Given the way Americans have been voting recently, and the recents additions to the supreme court it's not looking likely that anyone will get censured for bringing religion into government.

The Constitution isn't looking so strong either. Apparently Dubya got enraged and called the Consitution, "A Damn piece of paper," a couple months ago.

By the way I really like the way you broke down the two polar opposites in Islam. I had noticed that there was a difference, but I have not been able to put it as eloquently when confronted by people who say there is no such thing as Muslim moderates.

I agree with you about the thirty year war, but in this current world the effects could be devastating on a scale we've never seen before.

[sim_james]

   It’s hard to imagine a Western military alliance without the United States, for some reason. Perhaps I’ve been convinced by American propaganda?
   

new lj for sam, dion, james, jyan, maybe nick and r dan c as well?

[jyancraig]

hey guys. can we form a new lj group where a few of us liberals discuss stuff like islam and so forth, without annoying the "i hate to see politics and religion discussed etc" people.
sam? you wanna set it up?