Reply #18: Islam as it is practised in many places bleeds over into [View All]

[JCMach1]

every aspect of life... from Sharish Law to (well) just simply everything. Separation of Church in State is almost unthinkable here, because Muslims do not think of Islam in quite the same way as a church. Islam is both centered (on the Koran) and decentered (no central church authority) at the same time. Imams are teachers, but there is no obligation to listen to them if you disagree. Your voice in Islam is just as valid as his...

Religion bleeds into everything...

For example you might see a college student say "I am going to the club to listen to some house music tonigh, Insh'Allah..."

What Democracy needs in the Middle-east is not separation of church in state, but the application of democratic principles as seen through the prism of the word (the Koran). A completely secular democratic state would be near impossible to build.

Islam is even resurgent in Turkey where there was a strong attempt from Ataturk on to severly limit religious influence in secular society.