Why the Islamic Right should act like the Christian Right

sw4real · Feb 18, 2011

Why the Islamic Right should act like the Christian Right
By Jonathan Zimmerman Thu Feb 17, 1:31 pm ET

http://www.csmonitor.com/layout/set/print/content/view/print/364104

Excerpt:

New York – Can democracy and religious fundamentalism co-exist?

That’s the question of the moment in the Middle East. In Egypt, the ouster of Hosni Mubarak has raised Western fears of an Islamist takeover by the Muslim Brotherhood. Similar worries surround protest movements in Yemen, Bahrain, and Algeria: Would the fall of secular dictatorships spell the rise of religious ones?

Nine countries in the Middle East where 'winds of change' are blowing

Skeptics point to Gaza and Iran, where popular uprisings empowered decidedly undemocratic regimes. Optimists invoke Turkey and Indonesia, where religious parties have competed peacefully in elections and have abided by the rule of law.

But Americans don’t have to look to the Middle East to see how fundamentalism can mesh with democracy. Instead, we need only look in the mirror. Over the past four decades, fundamentalist Christians have surged into United States politics. And, in the process, they have enriched – not constricted – our democracy.
Click to expand...

Devoid of hyperbole, this opinion piece makes an interesting case for integrating faith-based political groups into the political sphere by using our great nation as Exhibit A.

Mathloom · Feb 20, 2011

As long as there is sufficient independence between different branches of democratic government, and the government itself is secular, then I could care less what groups of people with similar ideas call themselves or want to run for.

Ultimately, the government's opinion of things should count for nothing and should be sourced from the people, and as long as religious groups are comfortable knowing that their opinions are worthless in the political world, then good luck to them.

That article gave me no reason to believe that Christianity enriched US politics. I think the phenomenon the article is referring to is more a case of secularity allowing politics and religion to flourish seperately.

Forums

Why the Islamic Right should act like the Christian Right

sw4real Member

Mathloom Shameless Optimist

Share This Page

About ClutchFans

Rockets Content

Support ClutchFans!