Why not a liberal Islam? Why not empower liberal Muslims?

[_Jumper_]

Why is the talk about Islam always limited to moderates and fundies? There are liberal Muslims, although granted they are rare, too. Why not empower them?

[mr_hat]

1. Empower?

[_Jumper_]

3. Some people argue that we need to help moderate Muslims...

...in their alleged civil war with fundie Islam. I say why not aid liberal Muslims? "Moderate" Muslims are not that much different than the religious right in the USA (i.e., oppose gender equality, oppose homosexual rights, anti-abortion). Why are they the sacred cow that we need to help?

[Fescue4u]

4. Civil war?

Curious, I've seen no signs of a civil war within Islam.

While some Muslims will occasionally condemn their radical brothers, I do not believe that it rises to the level of an argument, let alone a civil war.

Nonethless, if Liberal Muslims are serious about stopping their crazed conservative brethern, Im all for helping them.

[_Jumper_]

10. That is why I said alleged

Outside of Iran I do not know of any other place where the moderates are fighting against the fundies. Even in America that is not happening because the moderates simply do not join U.S. Islamic organizations. Hence, they are fundie controlled.

[mr_hat]

6. OK, thanks for clarifying. >

I'd be surprised if our intellgence community weren't "helping" all manner of factions.

Doubt their social charters are what gets them the funding, tho'.

[Fescue4u]

2. Squeaky wheels get the grease

I guess we don't hear from Liberal Muslims because they havent given us any problems.

[KG]

5. liberal muslims are rare?

how do you know that?

and why do they need to be empowered?

futher - what exactly is a 'liberal' muslim?

explain please?

[_Jumper_]

8. 99.999999% of my family is Muslim; my parents are immigrants from a...

...Muslim nation. There are not many liberal Muslims in the world. There is a significant number of liberal Muslims in the West, but not in the Muslim world. Many liberal Muslims simply are not practicing Muslims or convert to Christianity(if they are in the West). Most are not involved in the Islamic community. Hence, they have virtually no voice.

They need be empowered to stave off the threat of radical Islam. They need to be empowered to give women and religious minorities in Muslim countries equality.

What is a liberal Muslim? I consider a liberal Muslim to be someone who believes in the social values we believe in at DU, and very secular. They are no different than liberal Christians, liberal Jews, or liberal Hindus.

[htuttle]

7. Iraq used to be a very liberal predominantly-Islamic country

Assuming you're talking about socially liberal.

Lebanon was, too. Same with Pakistan, before we pumped up the fundamentalists in the ISI to attack Russians in Afghanistan. And so was Iran before the CIA overthrew Mossadegh and put the Shah in power.

I think I'm starting to see a pattern here...

[_Jumper_]

9. You're 100% correct

I was talking about being socially liberal.

You are right. We need to rectify the problems we created but we are not going to do that by propping up "moderate Muslims", who are similar to the American religious right,

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

11. I'd be happy with some liberal Christianity

I say liberal Christians in the US need "empowering" if anyone does.

[_Jumper_]

12. What religion are you?

We have plenty of liberal Christians on here. :bounce: Moreover, liberal Christians are not having their religion hijacked by terrorists who salivate over the thought of killing "infidels."

[DUreader]

13. Funny, that seems to be exactly what is happening with the Crusade

The Crusaders are no different than any other extremists and they

have hijacked the US mil.

[_Jumper_]

15. Are they religious extremists?

Or acting for to increase their wealth?

[htuttle]

17. Yes

...to both questions.

The nature of the proto-Calvinistic strain of Protestantism running this Crusade is that it equates material wealth with Grace from God. One is a sign of the other.

[_Jumper_]

18. Good point

However, liberal Protestants have a voice; liberal Muslims do not.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

16. I mean here right now

fundamentalist Christianity is more of a threat than fundamentalist Islam. I say that as a "liberal Christian" if you will.

[RobinA]

14. Librul Muslems?

Don't you know there aren't any librul Muslems? Muslems are all suicide bombers who hate our freedom. They are fanatics whose religion preaches hatred and murder of infidels. Nothing like us peace-loving Christians, doncha know?

[Terwilliger]

19. same goes for liberal Christians

why aren't they in charge? what's going on around here?

[Dirk39]

20. The muslims are about the only ones left, the USA can afford

to attack, so they simply have to be evil. Don't tell the truth and keep your lips sealed about liberal or even moderate muslims. The dying dinosaur needs a weak enemy.
Hello from Germany,
Dirk