Theory vs the Real World

Submitted by Sigmund Derman (United States), Nov 2, 2018 at 14:04

In theory we might expect that all the "civilizationists" would correctly realize that the Jewish People were, on a per-capita basis at least, among the greatest contributors to our modern civilization and Jews could automatically make common cause with them. Also, in such a world there would be a clean, bright line between Muslims who were Islamists and (equally and maybe even more devout) Muslims who were also civilizationists and it would be easy for Jews--in particular--to make common cause with Muslim civilizationists.

In reality, as I know Dr. Pipes realizes, loyalties are often entangled in conflicting ways. You can't even be sure anymore (if you ever really could) that the enemy of your enemy is your friend. I wish there were a pat answer to this problem that could be used at all times and all places but I fear there is not.

Given that the Jewish People are so frequently the target of disparate hate groups of various political persuasions I think it is especially important to work for a strong Israeli nation that will continue its original and key mission to provide a haven for Jews. It is also very important for true "civilizationists" to work hard to support the tenets of this type of civilizationism in their own societies and elsewhere. It is very hard to know how to do this. In the United States I feel that many aspects of Trump's agenda (to the extent that I can discern what his agenda is) are quite positive for the cause of civilization. He is far from ideal, however.

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