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The Worst Book of 2007?

by Daniel Pipes
Wed, 15 Aug 2007

updated Mon, 24 Sep 2007

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Gene W. Heck has an impressive biography, being "a senior business development economist operating in Saudi Arabia and throughout the Mideast. Prior to joining the private sector, he was a member of the United States Diplomatic Corps, with postings to the U.S. embassies in Saudi Arabia and Jordan. He also serves as adjunct professor of government and history with the University of Maryland."

Gene W. Heck's "When Worlds Collide: Exploring the Ideological and Political Foundations of the Clash of Civilization."

Nonetheless, he has written a book, When Worlds Collide: Exploring the Ideological and Political Foundations of the Clash of Civilization (Rowman & Littlefield, 2007), that rolls together a staggering number of mistakes about Islam. Here, in brief (and without refutation), are key points of his thesis:

  • There is nothing bellicose about the Koran, which is no more aggressive than the Old Testament.
  • Islam's theological differences with Judaism and Christianity are "surprisingly limited."
  • The Shari‘a is completely consonant with the Hague and Geneva Conventions.
  • Jihad frequently means "the unending struggle of the devout to be good Muslims."
  • The Wahhabi movement is innocent of aggressive intentions.
  • Today's troubles go back to the efforts by Western intelligence agencies to further their own interests by sponsoring Islamist organizations – notably British backing for the Muslim Brethren in Egypt and American backing for Islamist groups in Afghanistan.
  • Al-Qaeda is basically a Muslim Brethren offshoot.
  • "Anglo-American democracy" is exactly what the Muslim world does not need; theocracy is the ticket.
  • If Westerners want to help Muslims, they should send them money.

Disclaimer: Heck mentions me (along with Robert Spencer, Bat Ye'or, David Littman, and Ibn Warraq) as one of those who decry "present perceived religious suppression, presumed political discrimination, and alleged civil rights violations in certain Middle East states wherein Islam today is practiced." Well, yes, I guess I am guilty of decrying those perceived, presumed, and alleged problems.

Comments: (1) It seems as though anyone can get just about anything published these days, if Islam is the topic. (2) Heck does not mention the Hempher explanation for the Wahhabis, but his account picks up its familiar conspiracy theory. (August 15, 2007)

Related Topics: Conspiracy theories, History, Radical Islam

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Reader comments on this weblog entry

Title By Date

Look, it's just not that hard to understand. [65 words]

stuart teich 

Oct 28, 2007 20:11

Monkey hear, monkey say [267 words]

jennifer solis 

Oct 28, 2007 19:39

Differences between Islam and other two Abrahamic religions. [142 words]

Janusz Kowalik 

Oct 28, 2007 13:46

  The TEACHINGS of the Qur'an and Old Testament, New Testament are NOT COMPARABLE [53 words]

jennifer solis 

Dec 16, 2007 16:51

  You are a Wise Woman [37 words]

Ynnatchkah 

Dec 17, 2007 01:59

  It takes one to know one [77 words]

jennifer solis 

Dec 18, 2007 16:26

a thinking woman's thoughts [482 words]

Rebecca Moulds 

Oct 28, 2007 12:23

Down the same path [22 words]

David W. Lincoln 

Oct 28, 2007 04:46

OH, WHAT THE HECK..... [328 words]

DANIEL REDMOND 

Oct 27, 2007 19:14

Economics... [146 words]

Ynnatchkah 

Oct 2, 2007 16:08

Has Heck Converted To Islam?? [180 words]

Nancy Drew 

Oct 1, 2007 08:07

Delusional Heck!!! [17 words]

Jaladhi 

Sep 25, 2007 15:40

How can this guy not be in the Administration?
[w/response] [103 words]

Charles Martel 

Sep 25, 2007 10:04

The Saudis have deep pockets [61 words]

dhimmi no more 

Sep 25, 2007 07:26

My suspicion [52 words]

Vijay 

Sep 25, 2007 02:53

  Gene W. Heck: Another well paid liar who knows where to place the Sod! [94 words]

James Burke 

Sep 25, 2007 18:36

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