From: joedees@bellsouth.net
Date: Fri Aug 30 2002 - 13:01:28 MDT
On 30 Aug 2002 at 12:39, rhinoceros wrote:
>
> [kharin]
> http://www.spiked-online.com/Articles/00000006DA01.htm
>
> [rhinoceros]
> Some thoughts on that article.
>
> So, the questions is whether a secular critique to Islam or a
> "moderate muslim" approach is better. Better for what? For promoting
> the emergence of societies with which our own societies can deal
> better? For promoting secularism and its ideals inside non-secular
> societies and their people out of humanist altruism? In fact, there
> are people trying either approach.
>
> And why would a muslim want to buy any of that? Out of an expectation
> for a better life? Out of fear? Out of an expectation to seize
> power? The answer to the initial question seems to depend on the
> answers to all these questions.
>
> The practical chances of a particular approach also depend on factors
> such as the cultural nature of religion. It is not enough to convince
> some persons through rational discussion, because such beliefs are
> intertwined with their way of life. However, the existence of various
> breeds of "moderate muslims" (as well as the whole history of the
> emergence of various christian dogmas) should be an indication that
> life changes people and societies, whatever the holy books say. Such
> things have happened to our own cultures in the past.
>
> A "moderate muslim" approach seems somehow lame when coming from Blair
> or from someone whom the muslim people have demonized, but I think it
> is perfectly valid when coming from inside a muslim society. The same
> is true of a secular approach coming from inside a muslim society and
> not from its "enemies".
>
> Finally, there is the issue of distribution of power and wealth in an
> Islamic state, which is deeply conservative. So, left wing movements
> should also have a say in this, although they have been constantly
> demonized by both Islamist authorities and antiislamist western
> centers of power and wealth.
>
The Institute for the Secularization of Islamic Society (ISIS), to be found at:
http://www.secularislam.org
is just such an internal secularizing movement.
>
> ----
> This message was posted by rhinoceros to the Virus 2002 board on
> Church of Virus BBS.
> <http://virus.lucifer.com/bbs/index.php?board=51;action=display;thread
> id=26302>
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