Religion is not politics.

Submitted by Michael S. (United States), Sep 19, 2014 at 02:47

Daniel Pipes replies:

Surely, the twentieth century proved that religious fervor is not the only source of political motivation.

Hello, Daniel.

I don't think Rev. Smirnov was concerned about politics, so much as about the self-inflicted religious and cultural genocide of the Russian people.

A vision of wine glasses popped into my head, just before writing this: There was a very large glass, representing dry, politicized religion -- which was empty -- and a very small one, full of wine. People who are awed by power and politics would buy the larger glass; but people who are thirsty would buy the small one.

I don't believe the Muslims have the answer to human needs; but they satisfy a thirst in men's soul for a religious life that is active and going somewhere. I will let others judge, just where that religion is leading; but to many young people in this world, even the appearance of life is deemed worth pursuing. As for politics, one has to be blind to a great deal, to see any life in it.

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