Liberal opinion of Bill Maher's views on Islam...

[patrick1]

One issue that has been discussed before that I think bears repeating is the consequences on a society that perpetuates a sense of victim-hood and feels that it is under siege.  Whatever the religion or ideology, bloodshed and social problems spring from this.  Most frequently, the majority of the society will not act out on the violent impulses toward revenge or taking (back) what is rightfully theirs.  However, you will have many fellow travellers and support from large segments of the community. Hymns are song and the cult of martyrdom develops to those bold enough to kill or die for what they believe in.

The religious texts or other assorted doctrines (even Science!) become supporting evidence of why it is right to kill. Many will cherry pick what views to accentuate, but that is all too human.

The solution cannot be external in this. The front line in this struggle is within Muslim society itself, yes a rather diverse and flawed concept but the Ummah has common currency.  What it will take, as it has in other conflicts, is for a widespread revulsion at the worst of the violence and an active campaign against it.  Western nations should give a leg up to those fighting the extremists, but there is only so far we can go before it boomerangs back at us.  

[patrick1]

To many Muslims, political Islam is as much a redundancy as ATM Machine or PIN #.

 Back in college, before 9.11, I had a guest lecturer for a week in Political science who was some sort of Pashtun refugee or expat.   He explained that for many Muslims the concepts of democracy  and communism were seen as failed and even evil Western ideologies, incompatible with Islam.  Many felt that all jurisprudence (and everything else for that matter) is wholly contained within the Quran.  It was self evident that the Quran was a political document. This was really an eye opening experience for me as I had always viewed Islam as merely a religion, having learned the standard high school curriculum 5 pillars etc. etc.  He didn't really let on to his own opinions, but in discussions after class I gauged that he supported a moderate form of Islamic republic.  Incidentally he has served on the Afghan cabinet for the last decade and has managed to not get himself killed or locked up.