Islam a religion?

Submitted by Werner (United States), May 18, 2005 at 23:12

The problem is, that one thinks that Islam is a religion, a religion like any other.

Mostly religions promote the a higher world than this in which we live. But it seems to me, that fundamentalist Islam has a very distinct idea how to construct this world. Its construct is all-encompassing and not tolerant of other religions.

For their worldliness it should be considered an ideology. If one considers it as an ideology there are some blatant faults which can not be reconciled with western saekular ideas of a state and living together.

Americans react to the word 'religion' in a particular way. As the founding fathers were escapees of religious persecution and their concern was religious freedom, this attitude is still instilled into American consciousness.

Militant Islam exploits this attitude in order to spread its ideology.

Mainstream America needs to make a distinction between those. Islam as a religion is welcome to enhance american culture, Islam as an ideology is a threat to the core values of the USA, to the very identity of what is american.

I value Mr. Pipes' publications because I see that he takes a stand for American values.

Thank you

Werner

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