What is true of Turkey is true to all Islamic countries and societies

Submitted by Prashant (United States), Jun 17, 2011 at 18:04

Dear Dr Pipes:

A lot of your readers are currently discussing how most modern democratic and secular values are missing from the Turkish society. I am not an expert on Turkey but it does not surprise me at all that Turkey lacks in modern democratic values. In fact, most Islamic societies (nations or groups of people) pay lip service to good values related to freedom and liberty but conveniently sacrifice them when they conflict with the idea related to preservation and expansion of Islam. It is as simple as that. Some of the examples follow:

1) Democracy is good but nations with high muslim populations must be Islamic.

2) There is no compulsion in religion but your marriage is illegitimate unless your partner becomes a Muslim.

3) Brotherhood between nations is good but no Islamic nation must oppose a non-Islamic nation against another Islamic nation.

4) There is no compulsion of religion in Islam but Islam is the only true faith.

5) God gave prophets to all people and cultures but Mahammad is the only last and true prophet.

6) Islam likes all scriptures but bible and torah are false.

7) If you kill even one innocent person it is like killing the entire humanity but you should chase and kill them if they fight with you. (what about forgiveness?)

8) Charity is good but when did you last see an Islamic charity serving non-Islamic people.

9) Islam gives amazing rights to women but you may have to live with 1/4th of a husband.

10) Islam treats non-Islamic religions with respect but Islamic countries routinely have distinct sets of rules for non-Muslims. (separate but equal doctrine)

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