Muslims, I firmly believe, will never come to understand what democracy truly means, since they cannot comprehend one simple concept: the separation of religion and politics, the separation of church, or mosque, and state. Of course, the reason why they cannot comprehend this separation is because their religion teaches them that politics and religion may not be, and cannot be, separated. So, all power, to a Muslim, rests with Allah; all power, to a democrat, rests with the people. In Islam, Allah dictates their politics; in a democracy, it's the people who dictate them.
To perceive each other's differences, and to understand them, is not in and of itself to dislike or hate one another. It should just be a question of using one's intelligence and foresight to see the dangers that lie ahead of us in this union of opposites.
Moreover, this union, if it does come about - and God forbid that it should! - is certainly not going to be a marriage made in heaven! It will be nothing other than an 'arranged marriage', a 'marriage of convenience' for the plenipotentiaries.
But these plenipotentiaries will certainly not be speaking for the people of Europe. Public opinion in Europe is firmly against. From my readings, and from my understanding of the situation, there are many in Turkey, too, who do not relish this 'marriage'. I read only yesterday in the German press - the German press are generally more forthright than the British press on matters of dissent - that many academics, economists, and 'men of religion' in Turkey are four-square agin Turkey's accession; and many fear that it will be Turkey's downfall. This is the quote I read in Die Welt by these dissenters in Turkey: Im Westen liegt der Untergang der Türkei!
I would add to this. I would say: Im Westen liegt der Untergang der Türkei; in der Türkei liegt der Untergang Europas!
By the way, marriages that are not based on love and mutual respect usually end up in the divorce courts, for they are like dwellings built on the shifting sands. Expect, too, that this marriage of convenience will eventually follow a well-trodden path - to the divorce courts!
©Mark Alexander
All Rights Reserved
By the way, if you want to read great comments on this subject and Jihad and Dhimmitude, then click here to be taken to Robert Spencer's great website: JihadWatch
Look out for Hugh Fitzgerald there, too. His comments are always very inciteful and interesting to read.
1 comment:
A quick visit here before I dash off for work.
Muslims, I firmly believe, will never come to understand what democracy truly means, since they cannot comprehend one simple concept: the separation of religion and politics, the separation of church, or mosque, and state. Of course, the reason why they cannot comprehend this separation is because their religion teaches them that politics and religion may not be, and cannot be, separated.
Your above words speak to the heart of the matter. Too few seem to understand the importance of those words.
More than anything else, Islam is a geopolitical ideology, with religious trappings.
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