In light of the recent terrorist attacks in Muslim nations, the argument is again being made that, say what they will, the terrorists are obviously not acting in the name of Islam—a religion which bans the indiscriminate slaughter of fellow Muslims. Yet is it that simple? Since the Medieval era, Islamic clerics have justified the killing of other Muslims—intentionally, for … [Read more...]
Archives for July 2016
Are Catholic Molesters and Islamic Terrorists “Abusing” Their Religions?
While recently discussing how President Obama’s relationship to Islam is undermining U.S. security, Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly offered up some strange analogies: Barack Obama has deep emotional ties to Islam. Now to some extent I can identify with Barack Obama on the religious issue. As a Roman Catholic I was appalled when the priest pedophilia scandal broke. There’s … [Read more...]
Made in Our Image: The Allure of ‘Moderate Muslims’
One of the greatest problems with the much cherished “moderate/radical” Muslim dichotomy is that it’s entirely based on Western assumptions that have nothing to do with the realities of Islam. This came out in a study published in Arabic (my recent translation here): Islamic researchers are agreed that what the West and its followers call “moderate Islam” and “moderate … [Read more...]
Islam: Religion and Polity
Coptic Solidarity. French What is the role of Islam in Muslim society? Is it just a religion to be practiced privately, as Christianity is understood in the West? Or does it call for theocracy—governance according to the laws derived from it, also known as Sharia? Dr. Ahmed al-Tayeb—currently Grand Sheikh of Al Azhar University and former Grand Mufti of … [Read more...]