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Islamophobia is a Myth: Part 3

Let's perform a thought experiment. Is Islam a religion, or an ideology?  For purposes of the thought experiment, let's call it an ideology.  Islam, like democracy, feminism, environmentalism, liberalism, conservatism, or communism is merely a collection of beliefs or values that has adherents. If we analyzed Islam as we'd analyze any secular ideology, what would we conclude? Would we conclude that it's an ideology based on love?  Would we conclude that an ideology where 20% of its adherents support terrorism is normal, or deserving of tolerance and respect? It's a classic framing issue.  We think in frames.  Instead of analyzing something rationally, we analyze it according to some framework. When we treat something as a religion, something insidious happens...continue to full post

Full post as published by Crime & Federalism on September 15, 2010 (boomark / email).