Tuesday, February 13, 2007

The Logic of Islam

I found this interview to be quite fascinating, though it does contain some errors. Specifically:

"Warner: Political Islam has annihilated every culture it has invaded or immigrated to. The total time for annihilation takes centuries, but once Islam is ascendant it never fails. The host culture disappears and becomes extinct."

Actually, Spain was entirely regained for Christendom upon the completion of the Reconquista in 1492 (special year, wasn't it?) Also, parts of the Balkans (like Greece) were purged of Islam--though both came at a great price. Also, both purgings were military in nature, so there are ethical questions involved. Finally, the loss of the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem was not due to a religiously-motivated jihaad, but to illegal infringements on commerce by the Christian governer of what is now Karak in Jordan. Saladin was protecting his commercial routes. (BTW, Saladin was not even an Arab.)

Nevertheless, the strongest section of the interview is about the two different kinds of logic at play in Islam and Western thought. Because of there are two kinds of logic dialogue is often entirely fruitless

Interview_with_Bill_Warner

2 comments:

abu Ellie said...

The last line struck a cord with me. "Dialogue is often fruitless." I've found that honest dialogue or discussing hot topics with the locals here usually ends up in a one way rant where I can't get a word in without yelling over their voice. All passion and no logic or the ability to see other points of views.

keep up the good work!

I enjoyed all the articles.

Abu Daoud said...

Thank you for the remark Grady,

My sense is that forming long-term relationships is one of the few things that really works, and even then who knows. I suspect that in an honor-based culture, you have to win the right to be heard.

That is especially true if what you are saying does not jive with the Islamic dogmas people swallow whole without any critical thinking.

Peace.