Islamic Extremism and the Clash of Civilizations: Muslims and Violence
According to many world leaders, the world is at war; but according to those same leaders, it is not a war between the West and Islam, but is instead a war against terrorism. Muslim religious leaders in the Middle East, however, are either silent on the issue or proclaim that it is indeed a war by the West against Islam - and Muslims in the streets in cities across the Middle East seem to agree. Who is right, and why?
Sacred vs. Secular in Muslim Extremism
Few people appreciate the importance of distinguishing the sacred from the secular in modern life. Going beyond the separation of church and state or the separation of religious from civil authority, the distinction between the sacred and the secular ensures that there are aspects to life, culture, and politics which are outside the ability of self-professed religious leaders from controlling
Few people appreciate the importance of distinguishing the sacred from the secular in modern life. Going beyond the separation of church and state or the separation of religious from civil authority, the distinction between the sacred and the secular ensures that there are aspects to life, culture, and politics which are outside the ability of self-professed religious leaders from controlling
Muslim Resistance to the West as a Cause of Fundamentalism
A common assumption is that Islamic fundamentalism fuels Muslims' political opposition to the West. There's a lot of validity to this, of course, but at the same time it's possible to argue the reverse: political opposition to the West has helped encourage and preserve religious fundamentalism. Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
A common assumption is that Islamic fundamentalism fuels Muslims' political opposition to the West. There's a lot of validity to this, of course, but at the same time it's possible to argue the reverse: political opposition to the West has helped encourage and preserve religious fundamentalism. Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
Modernism & Fundamentalism in Islam: The Disaster of Dogmatic Religion
One thing which unites all forms of fundamentalism which most people - including fundamentalists - can miss is the fact that it's a reaction to modernity and modernism. Fundamentalism isn't directly connected to ancient religious practices; instead, it's a deliberate and self-conscious attempt to reconnect to those religious practices against the influences of the modern world.
One thing which unites all forms of fundamentalism which most people - including fundamentalists - can miss is the fact that it's a reaction to modernity and modernism. Fundamentalism isn't directly connected to ancient religious practices; instead, it's a deliberate and self-conscious attempt to reconnect to those religious practices against the influences of the modern world.
Attraction of Fundamentalism in Islam: Why Muslims Rejected Liberalism
Islamic extremist movements, whether in the context of Western society or in Middle Easter nations, have in common a rejection of Western liberal ideologies (communist, capitalist, etc.) in favor of traditionalist Muslim beliefs. Why have so many Muslims so thoroughly rejected liberalism in all its forms, even when there are often parallels within their religious traditions?
Islamic extremist movements, whether in the context of Western society or in Middle Easter nations, have in common a rejection of Western liberal ideologies (communist, capitalist, etc.) in favor of traditionalist Muslim beliefs. Why have so many Muslims so thoroughly rejected liberalism in all its forms, even when there are often parallels within their religious traditions?
Nature of Islamic Fundamentalism: What Muslim Fundamentalists Believe
It's common to see people talk about or reference Muslim fundamentalism or fundamentalist Islam, but what do these terms mean? Fundamentalism was originally coined in reference to a strain of traditionalist Christianity in America and can't be transferred to other religions without careful definition and explanation.
It's common to see people talk about or reference Muslim fundamentalism or fundamentalist Islam, but what do these terms mean? Fundamentalism was originally coined in reference to a strain of traditionalist Christianity in America and can't be transferred to other religions without careful definition and explanation.
Varieties of Political Islam: Differences Between Islamists
In the West, discussions about Islamism and Islamic extremism tend to paint Muslims with a broad brush. This sort of attitude is a gross oversimplification between there are deep and significant differences among the Islamists - differences which the West needs to not just understand, but perhaps even use in order to undermine extremism and violence.
In the West, discussions about Islamism and Islamic extremism tend to paint Muslims with a broad brush. This sort of attitude is a gross oversimplification between there are deep and significant differences among the Islamists - differences which the West needs to not just understand, but perhaps even use in order to undermine extremism and violence.
Secular vs. Christian Responses to Muslim Extremism
It's obvious to just about everyone outside the Christian Right that the criticisms levied against Western culture by Islamic extremists are, even down to the details, amazingly similar to the criticisms made by the Christian Right. The religious and philosophical standpoints of the two movements parallel each other closely; why is it, then, that the Christian Right opposes Islamism?
It's obvious to just about everyone outside the Christian Right that the criticisms levied against Western culture by Islamic extremists are, even down to the details, amazingly similar to the criticisms made by the Christian Right. The religious and philosophical standpoints of the two movements parallel each other closely; why is it, then, that the Christian Right opposes Islamism?
Dar al-Harb vs. Dar al-Islam: Peace, War, and Politics
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.
Islam vs. the West
Anyone who reads Samuel P. Huntington's book "The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order" will realize that, despite the superficial assurances offered by Western leaders, this is indeed a conflict of civilizations. It is not simply a criminal prosecution against terrorists, but a fundamental clash between the democratic West and the Islamic East.
Anyone who reads Samuel P. Huntington's book "The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order" will realize that, despite the superficial assurances offered by Western leaders, this is indeed a conflict of civilizations. It is not simply a criminal prosecution against terrorists, but a fundamental clash between the democratic West and the Islamic East.
Palestinian / Israeli Conflict: Index of Resources
The struggle betweeen the Palestinians and the Israelis seems to be one of the most contentious and violent in the world today. What makes it worse is that both seem to have fundamentally valid moral goals - except with specific incidents, there is no clear good and evil and there is no easy black and white decision.
The struggle betweeen the Palestinians and the Israelis seems to be one of the most contentious and violent in the world today. What makes it worse is that both seem to have fundamentally valid moral goals - except with specific incidents, there is no clear good and evil and there is no easy black and white decision.
Invasion of Iraq, Islamic Extremism, & Terrorism
It has been argued by many that the invasion of Iraq will only produce more terrorism; therefore, invading Iraq was the wrong thing to do because it undermines our efforts against terrorism. Is this a valid argument?
It has been argued by many that the invasion of Iraq will only produce more terrorism; therefore, invading Iraq was the wrong thing to do because it undermines our efforts against terrorism. Is this a valid argument?
Recently Reviewed Books on Palestine & Israel
Few people are unaware of the violence which keeps occurring between Israelis and Palestinians. Why is this happening - what are the causes, and are there any solutions? Everything comes back to religion: the disagreement and violence between Christians, Jews, and Muslims. Understanding the role of religion in these disagreements is necessary to understanding the violence itself.
Few people are unaware of the violence which keeps occurring between Israelis and Palestinians. Why is this happening - what are the causes, and are there any solutions? Everything comes back to religion: the disagreement and violence between Christians, Jews, and Muslims. Understanding the role of religion in these disagreements is necessary to understanding the violence itself.
Recently Reviewed Books on Religion, Violence, and Terrorism
Religious leaders normally argue that religion is a force for good and love in the world. Yet, at the same time, we see religion regularly used for war, mass murder, terrorism, and even genocide. Why does this difference exist - how can religion be claimed as a basis for peace while so many use it as a basis for terrorism?
Religious leaders normally argue that religion is a force for good and love in the world. Yet, at the same time, we see religion regularly used for war, mass murder, terrorism, and even genocide. Why does this difference exist - how can religion be claimed as a basis for peace while so many use it as a basis for terrorism?