Nonviolent Growth of Islam

[Ghazi]

yeah i wish i could do those things

Am I reading you right :grumbling

 

[KAding]

Actually Christianity does attach religious believs in all areas. In the countries were the religious influence is being reduced you see moral decay.

'Moral decay' depends on your interpretation of morals. What many Muslims consider highly immoral I probably don't consider immoral. Similarly punishing so-called victimless crimes (homosexuality, apostacy, adultery) is immoral IMHO, while it is very common in an Islamic society.

The problem with Sharia law is what is often times portrayed as Sharia Law is not Islamic, it is a cultural aspect of the country. True Sharia law would not apply to non-Muslims. The Muslim would be subject to both laws the Sharia laws and the Laws of the country. While the non-Muslim would only be subject to the country laws.

Now for Christian Equivlencies of Sharia Law. Some countries do have their legalistic teachings based on doctrine and not seperated from the Church. Unfair example:Vatican City, but there are others that the country laws are not seperated from the church. Italy, Spain, Greece, Guatamala and a few others.

Interesting. Could you explain in what way Italy, Spain or Greece do not seperate their laws from the church? Although there might be a traditional link, this is link is usually not institutionalized or formal. So while the Church might have influence over politics, politics is not formally bound to religious doctrine, while this is very much the case in Islamic states.

I don't think European political systems can in any way be called religious. They are in fact highly secular and produce secular legislation which is, according to your definitions, probably highly immoral.

Political systems in the West are explicitely seperated from Church and religion, usually this is written down in the constitution. Surely this is completely different from Islamic countries even now, whereby the constitutions are often explicitely linked to Islam. I believe at least 50% of the Muslim countries call themselves Islamic States?

Now a "Perfect" Islamic country would by definition have to be 100% Muslim. Like wise a "Perfect" Christian country would have to be 100% Christian. Few countries are 100% anything.

So yes in a "perfect" Muslim country all laws would be in compliance with Islam. At the same time in a "perfect" Christian country all laws would be compliant with Christian doctrine.

But surely you accept that Christianity simply does not have anything remotely similar to the Sha'ria? Or am I mistaken in this and has it simply been suppressed by a few centuries of secular states?

 

[snakelegs]

i would hate to live in ANY theocratic state, be it islamic or any other religion! one of the things i appreciate about the u.s. is the separation of church and state, as imperfect as it is.

 

[Trumble]

i would hate to live in ANY theocratic state, be it islamic or any other religion! one of the things i appreciate about the u.s. is the separation of church and state, as imperfect as it is.

I thought you were Australian... or is that somebody else?

 

[Noora_z3]

Well let me re-phrase the question: Do people who like the Western way of life and wish it to continue have any reason to suspect it may be destroyed if Islam continues to grow?

I personally think, Yes.

Lets just say destroyed to be replaced by something better..

 

[Skillganon]

Here's some interesting topics, http://www.islaam.com/Section.aspx?id=17
It is a interesting read, I recommend it.
I was thinking of opening a thread up for Islam vs Secularism

 

[SirZubair]

Does the West really have nothing to fear from Islamic growth?

The west shouldnt be scared of Islam.

But as far as muslims go,thats another story.

 

[snakelegs]

I thought you were Australian... or is that somebody else?

nope - i'm american

 

[wilberhum]

To answer the question, I must look at Islam in two parts. There is personal Islam that is the religious and personal conduct of Islam. Its growth gives me no concern. The other part, political Islam, gives me great concern. I want separation of church and state and as Snakelegs said “I would hate to live in ANY theocratic state, be it Islamic or any other religion!” and also “one of the things I appreciate about the us. is the separation of church and state, as imperfect as it is.”
But then almost no change of political systems takes place that is nonviolent.

 

[mujahedeen2087]

Am I reading you right :grumbling

i was being sarcastic, May Allah protect us from these sins!

 

[KAding]

Well, Islam is a threat to the West just like secularism is a threat to the Muslim world. Both have their own view on the organisation of the state and will thus clash.

However, there is potential for Muslims to ignore/forget this 'worldly' aspect of their religion. After all, many Muslim nations are secular as it is. If Islam is increasingly interpreted as a religion and less as a system of government than there is no real threat. If Muslims start to view the role of religion in politics as one of influence and not control, just like most Christians do, than there is no reason to clash either.

IMHO