[Blackwatch]

"Politics: Islam and terrorism, are the two connected??? " Isn't this the name of this thread. When the question of what role does Islam have in promoting terrorism, I think that we have to consider everything that leads to terrorism. I think that Doggystyle is correct to point out some of the things that theocratic Islamic Countries may be doing in other lands, but I think what my posts are saying is that Islam is not the sole reason behind terrorism. As I said in the very first post, radicalism is not taught in any of the Abrahamic religions, (vigilance and perserverence maybe, but radicalism, I think not). I thought the example with David Walker and Nat turner served well in this debate. Islam does advocate more for a theocratic state, but can we say that this alone is why planes were flown into buildings on 9-11, especially considering American foreign policy and the issues with interpretation that we have already hashed through with this thread? I think it would be shortsighted to do so.


Doggystyle, I am not saying to ignore the attrocities that you mention, but I am saying that we must be careful to talk about what is true Islam, especially when I know I myself am not a Muslim. Also, I have talked to too many Muslim friends who have differing views on many things about the faith, just as many Christians differ on many issues abut the Christian faith. It seems to me that you are saying that the truth about Islam flouishes in America because the Islam we see in America is "protected" by American democracy. This sounds a little culturally biased to me. I am not as confident in American culture to assert that the "real true Islam" is practiced only by people who are in America or have American cultural sensibilities. Polygamy is an American cultural anathema, but I dare not say the "best" Muslims are the ones who do not practice it, especially if a reading of the Islamic faith may find the practice suitable. The continued enslavement of non-Muslim Africans that you point out is wrong, and though you state that Muslim law permits it, it doesn't mean that Islam promotes the dehumanization of human beings. What you see there is an interpretation of law through the lens of culture, which could be wrong. Just as people may gleam from the Bible that women should not preach. That is a reading of the Bible, that could be wrong. But does that mean that the Christian faith condones patriarchy and the oppression of women? No it doesn't when you consider other passages of scripture that affirm the humanity of all people, men, women, jew, gentile, etc. It is all up to interpretation. This could also be the case with Islam.


All I am saying is that when we consider terrorism, don't just think that it is Islam by itself that is the cause of it all. Let us consider other factors such as American foreign policy as well as oppression on a global scale. If we focus solely on Islam and think that radicalism comes from Islamic teachings, then I think the onus comes off of America for being a responsible global citizen that its creed calls it to be (freedom, liberty, and justice for all?). If we focus on Islam, we stop speaking truth to power in the American government. There are things that America is gulity of that we ought to call on the table. Focusing on Islam makes it seem as though it is just some crazy radicals who practice the "wrong Islam" who have no legitmate issues with America. Then we cease to be self critical, which then has us believing things like "this is and issue of good (U.S.) vs. evil (arab muslims)" and ignore the truth about American foreign policy. This is where you will here sayings like "I like good Muslims" and sentiments like "American" Islam is the "best" Islam. Should Islam be ignored in this debate, not at all. But I think it serves us better to look at this through the lens of politics, and not blame an interpretative faith for the attrocities we see here on Earth.
Blackwatch!!!!!!