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Miriam Binder
Earthsea
United Kingdom
6133 Posts |
 Posted - 25/07/2007 : 13:55:49
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In my inbox just now arrived the latest bulletin from Newsnight with the following paragraph which I will quote verbatim quote:
Tonight on Newsnight we're devoting the whole programme to exploring the struggle within Islam. Has the lack of any over-arching religious figure led to a schism between Sunni and Shia; to the rise of political Islam; and, ultimately, to an increase in the number of extremists willing to kill in the name of their religion?
Generally speaking Newsnight is a fascinating programme and I derive both immense satisfaction from listening to it as well as great food for thought. However I cannot help but think that this time Newsnight has totally failed to even ask the right question initially. Of course starting from a false premise will inevitably lead you up the wrong (garden) path and I think that the remaining two questions illustrate that point very nicely.
Why should Islam have an over-arching religious figure? Does Christianity? Does Judaism? Does any other major religious movement - other then the deity/ies they proclaim to worship?
The assumption inherent in the second question - to wit that the lack or otherwise of an over-arching religious figure is a causal factor in the politicalisation of Islam - effectively ignores the very nature of Islam as a value system which is the very essence of Islamic life.
And lastly that the planning and organisation behind the various acts of terrorism are indeed religiously motivated rather then, as I believe to be the case, politically motivated and merely cloaked in religious terms for justification.
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"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" - Benjamin Franklin |
Edited by - Miriam Binder on 25/07/2007 13:59:25 |
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The Battle for Islam a la Newsnight
