Letters to the Editor
-
militants
The reason why radicals supposedly don't take root in this country is because the US is not really a country but more of a geopolitical entity. Countries are Japan, France, Germany, etc. They are a people with ties to each other, a shared sense of history, language and culture. It is harder to break into. The US is just a collection of people with no common language, history and lacks borders. It is the difference between breaking into a crowd at a neighborhood bar, where everyone knows each other, and breaking into a bar at a huge international airport. The crowd at the airport bar are likely just a bunch of strangers who don't know each other or have much stake in their surroundings or each other. Which discribes the US. The neighborhood bar share a history, swap familiar stories, know each others extended kin, and likely grew up together. Probably like "real" countries with actual cohesive ties, like Japan, France etc. The US is really just a global trough. There's not much sense of place or community or sense of belinging to break into. Just a parade of strangers coming and going.
-
Militant Islamism is less....
I am just curious as to why it is alright for militant Christianity as represented by our commander-in-chief and his cronies to exist in the United States and not any other type of militancy? Why should all people who belong to religions other than Christianity have to be servile American citizens?
-
Acceptance of Islam in America will Change it World Wide...for the Better
The Catholoic church was a much more brutal, racist, insular religion prior to its acceptance in America. American catholics changed the face of the catholic church in a major way and continue to do so. The same can happen with the muslim faith. Or the opposite can happen as we continue to reject it.
-
A Balanced View of American Muslims
I have enough self-assurance as an American Muslim to acknowledge that there are Muslims extremists among us (a minority) who would like to see a Caliphate in this country based on their extremist tendencies. They will never succeed because we will not let them. I also know of many Americans who believe that it is the extremists who represent "true" Islam because they interpret the Quran as it should be, and that moderate Muslims are the aberrations. Paul Barrett has done an admirable job in steering a middle path and showing how Muslims of different backgrounds can sustain conflicts and contradictiosn within themselves and yet lead pious and noble lives. We are not a monolith; in our diversity lies our humanity and our capacity for greatness.
-
Why is this surprising?
One of the fascinating things Barrett discovered in his research is that Christians who become Muslims frequently cite the confusing doctrine of the trinity as a reason for the shift: "They couldn't make sense of the idea that the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are all parts of the same God."
The differences between Judaism, Christianity and Islam are miniscule compared to their mutual differences from say Buddhism, paganism, or atheism.
Given that, it's only natural that people choosing between them would choose based on some concrete difference. You have to make a choice based on something.
The marketing people would call the doctrine of the trinity a brand differentiator among those shopping for a faith among the principal monotheisms.
When you think about it, it is surprising that the doctrine of the trinity sells so well among the believers in one God. Not to knock Christians, or Adam Smith, it appears that people don't really chose their religion on a rational basis. I would think that Islam would have higher market share.
Perhaps there are some other differentiators at work in the religion market?
-
Bring back Richard Dawkins
Either they're reactionaries who want to ban "sexual speech," favor "traditional roles for women," and criminalize abortion and homosexuality, or they support freedom of religion, pluralism, tolerance and whatnot. Which is it?
Even if we're talking about moderates who don't want to impose anything on non-Muslims, how accepting would they be of a daughter or even son who wanted to play guitar, get laid, watch good films, dress how they want, not get married, not have children, REJECT ALL RELIGION, et cetera?
I was on a beach in Spain in 2000. That country was once very religious, but since becoming prosperous, religion has gone into precipitous decline, just like in many countries. There were nearly naked people, of both genders, almost as far as the eye could see. The philosophy on display was evident: life is meant to be enjoyed. It's not about "pleasing God," or submitting to any thing. Muslims, and religious types in general, need a good dose of this philosophy.
In any case, I hope the rest of the world follows Spain's trajectory. Keep in mind that, even in America, most people don't go to church, and aren't about to start. I hope this future also applies to Europe's frustrated Muslims, but doesn't their situation have as much to do with economics and police brutality as it does with religion?
-
Bad photo choice
Interesting that that editor would choose a cropped photo of a faceless burqa-clad women to represent "the many faces of Islam." Are you trying to be funny or ironic?
Aside from that, this is an excellent review by Laura Miller - as fair and balanced as she claims Paul Barrett's book to be.
As a Pakistani-American Muslim, I see much of this continuum from traditional to liberal played out not only in the American Muslim community, but in my own extended family itself. I'm on one extreme, as the openly gay progressive Muslim with heavy Buddhist leanings. At the same time, I have cousins who grow beards and cover their hair and display all the outwards trappings of piety, living in constant fear of their kids being corrupted by "hedonistic atheistic Western materialism." Needless to say, we don't really get along. However, the vast majority of Muslims fall in the middle - embracing the American dream of economic success and security while valuing close knit families and working for a just and equitable society.
The biggest challenge for American Muslims is standing up to the hate-mongering fanatic Saudi Wahhabist influences in religious education and funding. They need the confidence to foster a culture that values diversity, pluralism, more nuanced interpretations of traditions and texts, and a sense of humor about themselves.