Islamism, Islam, Politics: Islamization of Society
Critiques of Islamic history, societies and politics - including examinations of how Islam interacts with democracy, secularization, tolerance, blasphemy and more.
Islam & Human Rights under the Shari'a:
One of the problems facing Islam today is its failure to deal with basic human rights. Traditional, orthodox Islam doesn't recognize equal rights for women, the right to convert from Islam to another religion, or the right to criticize Islam, the Qu'ran, or Muhammad. Where Islam reins, basic human rights are restricted in the name of religious ideology.
One of the problems facing Islam today is its failure to deal with basic human rights. Traditional, orthodox Islam doesn't recognize equal rights for women, the right to convert from Islam to another religion, or the right to criticize Islam, the Qu'ran, or Muhammad. Where Islam reins, basic human rights are restricted in the name of religious ideology.
The Fundamentalist Impulse in Islam & Christianity
It's common for people to discuss fundamentalism in both Christianity and Islam as if the phenomenon "fundamentalism" were essentially the same in both of these religions. That, however, isn't true - not only are the religions themselves very different, but their fundamentalist strains developed in very different contexts. This is key to understanding their fundamentalisms.
It's common for people to discuss fundamentalism in both Christianity and Islam as if the phenomenon "fundamentalism" were essentially the same in both of these religions. That, however, isn't true - not only are the religions themselves very different, but their fundamentalist strains developed in very different contexts. This is key to understanding their fundamentalisms.
Islam and Multiculturalism: Compatible?
There are many debates over the relationship between Islam and democracy and whether Islam is compatible with a democratic society. It is arguable, however, that the real problem is not democracy; rather, it is a multicultural society where a variety of religious and philosophical beliefs are accorded a generally equal status and none is given special privileges...
There are many debates over the relationship between Islam and democracy and whether Islam is compatible with a democratic society. It is arguable, however, that the real problem is not democracy; rather, it is a multicultural society where a variety of religious and philosophical beliefs are accorded a generally equal status and none is given special privileges...
Why Was The Satanic Verses Offensive?
Although the world-wide protests over the publication of the Danish cartoons of Muhammad are foremost on people's minds, these incidents were not unique - they were very much like the protests against Salman Rushdie's book The Satanic Verses. Perhaps we should consider why that book was so offensive.
Although the world-wide protests over the publication of the Danish cartoons of Muhammad are foremost on people's minds, these incidents were not unique - they were very much like the protests against Salman Rushdie's book The Satanic Verses. Perhaps we should consider why that book was so offensive.
Turkey's Internal Conflict: Mosque vs. State
It's not unusual for critics of Islam to argue that there are no Muslim democracies - but that's not true. Turkey is a democracy. It's even almost a liberal democracy; unfortunately, Turkey's secular, democratic character has been enforced in part by the military. It's more often been the case that military intervention has undermined democracy; in Turkey, it has ensured its survival.
It's not unusual for critics of Islam to argue that there are no Muslim democracies - but that's not true. Turkey is a democracy. It's even almost a liberal democracy; unfortunately, Turkey's secular, democratic character has been enforced in part by the military. It's more often been the case that military intervention has undermined democracy; in Turkey, it has ensured its survival.
Reform in Islam: Muslim Reactions to Western Power & Domination
It has been said that one of the problems with the Islamic community is that Islam hasn't experienced a Reformation or Enlightenment which would help constrain the power and attractiveness of fundamentalism. This isn't entirely true: there have been reform movements in Islam; their problem is that these movements occurred when Islam was weak and, therefore, attracted little interest.
It has been said that one of the problems with the Islamic community is that Islam hasn't experienced a Reformation or Enlightenment which would help constrain the power and attractiveness of fundamentalism. This isn't entirely true: there have been reform movements in Islam; their problem is that these movements occurred when Islam was weak and, therefore, attracted little interest.
The Future of Iran's Islamic Theocracy
Everyone seems to be paying closer attention to Iran recently. The hostile and aggressive rhetoric coming from its government worries many, but it must be seen and understood in the context of the country's internal problems: political Islam and the theocratic system are failing and the people know it. External aggression may simply be the government's attempt to cope and retain power.
Everyone seems to be paying closer attention to Iran recently. The hostile and aggressive rhetoric coming from its government worries many, but it must be seen and understood in the context of the country's internal problems: political Islam and the theocratic system are failing and the people know it. External aggression may simply be the government's attempt to cope and retain power.
Restoring Islam's Golden Age
Observers have noticed a disturbing pattern in Muslim communities: many people spend far too much time looking backwards and lamenting the loss of a Golden Age and too little time trying to construct a new, better age in their future. What people want is to restore what they think they had and have lost. They are sacrificing their own future or the sake of dreams about the past.
Observers have noticed a disturbing pattern in Muslim communities: many people spend far too much time looking backwards and lamenting the loss of a Golden Age and too little time trying to construct a new, better age in their future. What people want is to restore what they think they had and have lost. They are sacrificing their own future or the sake of dreams about the past.
Hassan Al-Turabi on Islam and Islamic Government
Should Islam be used as a basis for government? That's what many Muslims in the Middle East believe, but the belief that Islam alone can serve as a basis for government today is flawed. People are relying on Islam to save them from the West and imperialism, but they must recognize that imposing Islam on society carries far too may risks.
Should Islam be used as a basis for government? That's what many Muslims in the Middle East believe, but the belief that Islam alone can serve as a basis for government today is flawed. People are relying on Islam to save them from the West and imperialism, but they must recognize that imposing Islam on society carries far too may risks.
Islam, Democracy, and Arab Culture
Many people think that Islam and democracy cannot co-exist, but there are examples of democracies working, at least partially, in Muslim nations. So what's the real problem? Perhaps instead of Islam being a barrier to democracy, it's actually Arab political culture.
Many people think that Islam and democracy cannot co-exist, but there are examples of democracies working, at least partially, in Muslim nations. So what's the real problem? Perhaps instead of Islam being a barrier to democracy, it's actually Arab political culture.
Relationship Between Mosque and State
The relationship between mosque and state in Islamic tradition is very complex. It isn't enough to say that they are completely intertwined, but they aren't really separate either. For Christians, there has always been a distinction between church and state. But this is not the case in Islam.
The relationship between mosque and state in Islamic tradition is very complex. It isn't enough to say that they are completely intertwined, but they aren't really separate either. For Christians, there has always been a distinction between church and state. But this is not the case in Islam.
Constructing an Islamic Society (Book Notes: No God but God)
One of the interesting parallels between conservative Christians in America and traditionalist Muslims in the Middle East is how both groups seek to construct a more godly society. They all wish for their nation to be defined by and give greater glory to God rather than a secular state which doesn't take sides in religious questions.
One of the interesting parallels between conservative Christians in America and traditionalist Muslims in the Middle East is how both groups seek to construct a more godly society. They all wish for their nation to be defined by and give greater glory to God rather than a secular state which doesn't take sides in religious questions.
Dar al-Harb vs. Dar al-Islam
To put it most simply, dar al-harb (territory of war or chaos) is the name for the regions where Islam does not dominate, where divine will is not observed, and therefore where continuing strife is the norm. By contrast, dar al-islam (territory of peace) is the name for those territories where Islam does dominate, where submission to God is observed, and where peace and tranquility reign.
To put it most simply, dar al-harb (territory of war or chaos) is the name for the regions where Islam does not dominate, where divine will is not observed, and therefore where continuing strife is the norm. By contrast, dar al-islam (territory of peace) is the name for those territories where Islam does dominate, where submission to God is observed, and where peace and tranquility reign.
Tolerance, Intolerance, and Democratic Values
One of the problems facing liberal Western democracies is how to deal with radical Muslim extremists who benefit from the freedoms of the West but who don't believe in those freedoms and who want to tear them down. Just how far should a nation tolerate such extreme intolerance?
One of the problems facing liberal Western democracies is how to deal with radical Muslim extremists who benefit from the freedoms of the West but who don't believe in those freedoms and who want to tear them down. Just how far should a nation tolerate such extreme intolerance?
God vs. Democracy (Book Notes: Legacy of the Prophet)
Is belief in the traditional monotheistic god of Islam and Christianity compatible with democracy? That's hard to say. Many adherents of both religions are certainly supporters of democratic society, but many others are not - and they effectively use their religious doctrines to justify why democracy is anti-God: it replaces God's will with human will.
Is belief in the traditional monotheistic god of Islam and Christianity compatible with democracy? That's hard to say. Many adherents of both religions are certainly supporters of democratic society, but many others are not - and they effectively use their religious doctrines to justify why democracy is anti-God: it replaces God's will with human will.
Islamization as Expression of Cultural Identity
One of the primary sources of conflict between radical Islam and the secular West is the role of women in society. Western and Muslim reformers have always sought to change how women are able to dress and behave in order to change Islam. Today, though, women aren't always cooperating.
One of the primary sources of conflict between radical Islam and the secular West is the role of women in society. Western and Muslim reformers have always sought to change how women are able to dress and behave in order to change Islam. Today, though, women aren't always cooperating.
Blasphemy is enlightenment
How Muslims around the world have attacked and threatened people who are critical of Islam.
How Muslims around the world have attacked and threatened people who are critical of Islam.
Blasphemy should be permitted
An appeal for the right to free speech - and hence blasphemy - in Islam.
An appeal for the right to free speech - and hence blasphemy - in Islam.
Discrimination: Muslims & Non-Muslims
A Christian critique of how non-Muslims are to be treated in Muslim societies - along with quotations from original sources.
A Christian critique of how non-Muslims are to be treated in Muslim societies - along with quotations from original sources.
Illness of Muhammad
What did he suffer from, and did it affect his religous ideology?
What did he suffer from, and did it affect his religous ideology?
The Interpretation of Islam
Many people are under the notion that, ëoriginalí Islam is true and correct, it is people who, with their misinterpretation and wrong practices tarnished the image of Islam. Can we blame Islam for the acts of Moslems?
Many people are under the notion that, ëoriginalí Islam is true and correct, it is people who, with their misinterpretation and wrong practices tarnished the image of Islam. Can we blame Islam for the acts of Moslems?
Interview: Salman Rushdie
Article about the author which so many Muslims wanted dead.
Article about the author which so many Muslims wanted dead.
Iran Votes for Change
"Undaunted by jail, dissident journalists have fueled the nation's hunger for reform"
"Undaunted by jail, dissident journalists have fueled the nation's hunger for reform"
Iran's Chess War
"The intellectual pastime is the latest symbol in the struggle between the country's democratic reformers and Islamic clerics."
"The intellectual pastime is the latest symbol in the struggle between the country's democratic reformers and Islamic clerics."
Iran's Revolution in Jeopardy?
"Will the overwhelming number of young voters tip the scales in the elections? Or will their apathy prove a greater threat to reformers than the mullahs?"
"Will the overwhelming number of young voters tip the scales in the elections? Or will their apathy prove a greater threat to reformers than the mullahs?"
Islam and Liberal Democracy
The challenges facing anyone who wishes to advance the cause of liberal democracy in Islamic nations.
The challenges facing anyone who wishes to advance the cause of liberal democracy in Islamic nations.
Islam vs. Democracy
"The only reason the policy makers in the West are fighting against the return of Islam is because once people get a chance to live under the Islamic system, they will abandon the corrupt Democratic/Capitalist ideology and embrace the mercy of Allah (swa) as did the people of North Africa, Spain, Indonesia, and other lands in the past."
"The only reason the policy makers in the West are fighting against the return of Islam is because once people get a chance to live under the Islamic system, they will abandon the corrupt Democratic/Capitalist ideology and embrace the mercy of Allah (swa) as did the people of North Africa, Spain, Indonesia, and other lands in the past."
Islamic Science
Over the last decade Muslims have declared that the Qur'an is filled with scientific miracles that demonstrate it is of divine origin. Are they right?
Over the last decade Muslims have declared that the Qur'an is filled with scientific miracles that demonstrate it is of divine origin. Are they right?
Mohammad
A brief exposition on his bloodly life.
A brief exposition on his bloodly life.
Negationism & Muslim Conquests
Gautier discusses negationism, which he defines as "the denial of historical crimes against humanity", in Muslim-Hindu conflict.
Gautier discusses negationism, which he defines as "the denial of historical crimes against humanity", in Muslim-Hindu conflict.
New Secularism
New secular writings in Arabic despite strong Islamist opposition. Many assume there are very few secular minded people within the Islamic world, but many people and writings who dared to challenge Islam.
New secular writings in Arabic despite strong Islamist opposition. Many assume there are very few secular minded people within the Islamic world, but many people and writings who dared to challenge Islam.
Review of "Why I Am Not a Muslim"
"The problem with a book such as this is that it will most likely never reach those most in need of it. That is to say young people in general and young Muslims in particular, those whose minds have not already been closed by fanaticism. "
"The problem with a book such as this is that it will most likely never reach those most in need of it. That is to say young people in general and young Muslims in particular, those whose minds have not already been closed by fanaticism. "
Sophistry, Relativism & Dubious History
An examination of some of the charges leveled against those who would criticize Islam.
An examination of some of the charges leveled against those who would criticize Islam.
Testimony of Antichrist
Christian booklet arguing the role that Islam is supposed to play in "end-time events."
Christian booklet arguing the role that Islam is supposed to play in "end-time events."
Tolerance in Islam
Is Isalm is a tolerant religion? This article argues that it isn't.
Is Isalm is a tolerant religion? This article argues that it isn't.
True Muslim, Good Muslim
"There are several interpretations of Quran, several schools of thoughts several sects each with its own version of Islam claiming they are original Muslims. Then who is true Muslim? How to know?"
"There are several interpretations of Quran, several schools of thoughts several sects each with its own version of Islam claiming they are original Muslims. Then who is true Muslim? How to know?"