Islam and Democracy

Submitted by Dave (United States), May 14, 2006 at 08:42

I think it would be more accurate to say that whenever RELIGION governs, democracy suffers. I can't think of a single religion under which this would not apply. READ YOUR BIBLE AGAIN, before you lay this human truth at the feet of the Holy Quran. As we speak, in this Country, our civil liberties are on the decline, while the right-wing consolidates its power. What religion are they? What freedoms would we have if Jerry Falwell or Pat Robertson came to power? To what demographic does Karl Rove rely on for his success?

Consider that Iran might very well be a democracy today, if the Shah of Iran had not literally killed all his secular (and by secular I mean Muslim citizens who were not religious scholars and chose to oppose him strictly on democratic principles) opposition, leaving only the clergy to oppose him. How did the Shah come to power and who kept him in power? Muslims are struggling, and continue to struggle for Democracy and freedom all over the world. They are oppressed by the Religious (yes, Islamic) dictatorships that overthrew the western dictatorships who enslaved and bred hatred into their people. They are literally dying to be free, in the way many Christians had to die at the hands of Christian authorities so that the concept of separation of church and state could flourish within Christian nations. You would be surprised at how often our great nation finds itself at odds with the Muslims who are trying to bring democracy to their nations. Our country supports their oppressors for the sake of OUR ECONOMIC INTERESTS.

I am an American AND a Muslim. And I believe in democracy. Acting on those beliefs would get me killed in many "Islamic" countries. There is a good chance the bullet piercing my brain would have been paid for by American taxpayers. I'm not blaming America. Just stating some facts. But you might consider that perhaps the issue is a little more complex than you think. If it's any consolation, a lot of what is related to us as Shariah actually CONTRADICTS the teaching of the Holy Recitation, or what you call the "Koran". Read it (all of it) and you will see. You will find that, like many so-called Christians and Jews, there are many so-called Muslims who are flatly contradicting the word of God. Don't blame the scripture. Peace.

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