Why taxonomize when it does not explain anything?

Submitted by Prashant (United States), Dec 20, 2015 at 05:55

Dear Dr Pipes,

We try hard to draw non-existent lines to somehow explain what we find objectionable in the Islamic world. We try to divide Islamic world between true-muslims vs not-so-true muslims, moderate muslims and not-so-moderate Muslims, Islamists and non-Islamists, Jihadists and non-jihadists, and salafis and non-salafis. Making these distinctions is counter-productive because it is impossible to look at a Muslim and determine whether he/she is of one or the other kind. But even more importantly drawing these distinctions does not explain or resolve anything that we find objectionable in the Islamic world. It does not explain why every single Islamic majority country in the world is non-democratic and non-secular.

It also does not explain why in every region of the world where Muslims achieve majority status, there is a fight for separation/independence. It also does not explain why while there are enough number of Americans whho are donning hijabs to show solidarity with Muslims who might face persecution in the aftermath of San Bernandino or Paris shootings, I see not enough Muslims doing anyting to show solidarity with the victims of these shootings. If a taxonomization explains nothing, why taxonomize? Why cannot we simply say that Islamic world --as a whole-- is centuries behind the rest of the world when it comes to respectng basic human values and this situation needs to be improved.

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