Islam - Critical Analysis of Theology, History & Society
Posted: 13 Dec 2011 13:44
Islam - Critical Analysis of Theology, History, Society, Memes, Agenda & Threat
On BRF, as we all see there has clearly been an increase in interest in trying to understand Islam. Much of the commentary is also critical of Islam. But we obviously have a problem in discussing Islam.
Over 165 million Indian citizens are Mohammedans and consider Islam their religion. So the question we always face is how to discuss Islam without hurting their feelings, exacerbating communal tensions in India, or for that matter isolating them from the Indian mainstream and Indian nationalism.
On the other hand, it would be irresponsible in not acknowledging how the Indian Civilization has been ravaged by groups who have availed of Islamic structures, its paroles and the mass of its adherents! In fact India still faces the threat from these groups.
Every Muslim in India is influenced by Islam, Humanism, their pre-Islamic cultural holdovers, the Modern World and religious apathy. Often Muslims would try to explain the rest - Humanism, Cultural Tendencies and Modernity in terms of Islam, trying to find sanction and confirmation in theology. That would always remain up for debate. Some may consider Humanism to be part of Islam others would consider both - Islam and Humanism, to be the two opposite ends of a spectrum, with every Muslim somewhere in between. Some may see the Muslim masses as simply people enslaved by the Ideology.
It is important to acknowledge that in such a discussion we should always be cognizant of the fact that Muslims belong to India and enjoy their inalienable fundamental rights in India. Also one needs to acknowledge that the discussion is not to humiliate them or hurt their feelings, but rather the aim of the discussion is to understand the nature of threat the Indian Civilization faces from Islamic groups and their ideology.
As we discuss Islam and its various aspects, it is important that we remain dispassionate about it, that it be discussed without the use of vulgarity towards the symbols of Islam. There should be no name calling! However the truth be spoken as it is! Satyamev Jayate! If something can be sourced from theological and historical discourses then it can be discussed, regardless of what light it may throw upon Islam - whether positive or negative.
It is one thing to consider Islam a threat, it is another thing to hate Islam. Any commentary we make, we can do it from the first perspective and we should strictly try to curb any hateful commentary, for that would undermine the objectivity this thread would like to portray!
At the moment, BRFites are spraying their analysis of Islam all over the place. Much of it lands in the TIRP Thread but it also lands elsewhere. This thread is being set up to provide a home for all those posts.
I have my doubts that this thread would last very long, considering that the Moderators may be averse to having the negative feelings of so many posters towards Islam, posted here on BRF openly and publicly. So anybody who is interested that this thread does last for sometime, should try to use some "enlightened moderation"!
However it may be worthwhile to collect those posts here than have those posts scattered all around the place, which makes the work of Moderators even more difficult.
If the Moderators feel that this thread is not warranted, it is their prerogative to shoot it down any time! I just feel that such a thread is part of the natural evolution of BRF and it is time to have this thread!
Thank you all for your cooperation in keeping this thread alive.
On BRF, as we all see there has clearly been an increase in interest in trying to understand Islam. Much of the commentary is also critical of Islam. But we obviously have a problem in discussing Islam.
Over 165 million Indian citizens are Mohammedans and consider Islam their religion. So the question we always face is how to discuss Islam without hurting their feelings, exacerbating communal tensions in India, or for that matter isolating them from the Indian mainstream and Indian nationalism.
On the other hand, it would be irresponsible in not acknowledging how the Indian Civilization has been ravaged by groups who have availed of Islamic structures, its paroles and the mass of its adherents! In fact India still faces the threat from these groups.
Every Muslim in India is influenced by Islam, Humanism, their pre-Islamic cultural holdovers, the Modern World and religious apathy. Often Muslims would try to explain the rest - Humanism, Cultural Tendencies and Modernity in terms of Islam, trying to find sanction and confirmation in theology. That would always remain up for debate. Some may consider Humanism to be part of Islam others would consider both - Islam and Humanism, to be the two opposite ends of a spectrum, with every Muslim somewhere in between. Some may see the Muslim masses as simply people enslaved by the Ideology.
It is important to acknowledge that in such a discussion we should always be cognizant of the fact that Muslims belong to India and enjoy their inalienable fundamental rights in India. Also one needs to acknowledge that the discussion is not to humiliate them or hurt their feelings, but rather the aim of the discussion is to understand the nature of threat the Indian Civilization faces from Islamic groups and their ideology.
As we discuss Islam and its various aspects, it is important that we remain dispassionate about it, that it be discussed without the use of vulgarity towards the symbols of Islam. There should be no name calling! However the truth be spoken as it is! Satyamev Jayate! If something can be sourced from theological and historical discourses then it can be discussed, regardless of what light it may throw upon Islam - whether positive or negative.
It is one thing to consider Islam a threat, it is another thing to hate Islam. Any commentary we make, we can do it from the first perspective and we should strictly try to curb any hateful commentary, for that would undermine the objectivity this thread would like to portray!
At the moment, BRFites are spraying their analysis of Islam all over the place. Much of it lands in the TIRP Thread but it also lands elsewhere. This thread is being set up to provide a home for all those posts.
I have my doubts that this thread would last very long, considering that the Moderators may be averse to having the negative feelings of so many posters towards Islam, posted here on BRF openly and publicly. So anybody who is interested that this thread does last for sometime, should try to use some "enlightened moderation"!
However it may be worthwhile to collect those posts here than have those posts scattered all around the place, which makes the work of Moderators even more difficult.
If the Moderators feel that this thread is not warranted, it is their prerogative to shoot it down any time! I just feel that such a thread is part of the natural evolution of BRF and it is time to have this thread!
Thank you all for your cooperation in keeping this thread alive.