Email asking me why it would be bad to live under an Islamic Republic

[noahmijo]

I wrote a small piece about how the Iraqi Governing Board wishes to adopt Sharia Law, and this person was wondering why this is such a bad thing? (this person by the way is a Kerry supporter and is against the war and all but unfortunately doesn't seem to grasp the reality of the idea of a nation ruled by a religion) This question just shocked me but I responded with this anyway.




How best to answer this, well let's put it this way.

Let's say our government declared that we are to become a Christian Republic.

Well the actual religion of Christianity teaches love, peace, acceptance all
those goods correct? so why would anyone have a problem with our nation being a
Christian Republic?

The answer lies in interpretation.

To some people being a Christian means abolishing abortion, stem cell research,
gay marriage, teaching their women to be good obedient slave like people, or
ensuring the arrest and or burning of all homosexuals.

From my limited understanding of the actual meaning of Sharia Law it is used to
purify the soul and become closer to God.

Sounds nice I have no qualms with that.

However, once again it is how it is interpreted.

In Nigeria for example, it is used to justify the stoning of women accused of
committing adultery.

See article here
~~~http://www.guardian.co.uk/theissues/article/0,6512,777972,00.html

This article explains how the Iraqi Governmening Council wanted to use Sharia
Law to lift rights which women had under Saddam.

"Under most interpretations of Islamic law, women’s rights to seek divorce are
strictly limited and they only receive half the inheritance of men. Islamic law
also allows for polygamy and often permits marriage of girls at a younger age
than secular law.

In December, the council passed a decision abolishing the 1959 law and allowing
each of the main religious groups to apply its own tradition — including
Islamic law. Many Iraqi women expressed alarm at the decision, and Bremer has
not signed it into law."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4276149/

So now knowing this how would you like to be a woman living in an Islamic
Republic? Personally I would hate it just like I'd hate to live under ANY sort
of Religious Republic not because the religion itself is bad; but because the
various ways that religion may be twisted to suit the needs of the ruthless
ruling class which typically prevails over them.

See what's happening in our own country for an example of that.

Anyway my whole point with proclaiming that Iraq will now become an Islamic
Republic is simply this: Islamic Radical Terrorists attacked us on 9/11. Bush
and his cronies respond by how? invading the nation of a man who HATED Bin
Laden and Islamic Fundamentalism.

So we take him out, and now Iraq is on its way to becoming Saudi Arabia II. The
nation used to be one that Al-Queda and Mujahadeen types feared to be in.

How fearful do you think Al-Queda members will be of an Iraq ruled by Islamic
Law? If you really think a nation could be ruled based on religious belief but
yet shun those who take that religious belief to another level you're deluding
yourself; there will always be strong pockets to shelter those who embrace the
radical aspects of the religion.

Those strong pockets never had any real power under Saddam. Now they will. They
already do.

What has been accomplished and how does having Islamic Law in Iraq help make the
people "free"? Also how does having an Iraq ruled by Islamic Fundamentalism or
at least traits of Islamic Fundamentalism help our war against Islamic
Extremists?

That is the entire point I am trying to convey.

On a sidenote yes I am aware that Bremer says this will never happen. So now
we're in the business of telling Iraq how to run its country. What if this is
what Iraq wants? what if Iraq wants an Islamic Republic where women are second
class citizens and Al-Queda finds itself a new hiding hole?

So yes if they want an Islamic Republic then well who are we to tell them what
they should have? except A. we are telling them they can't have this which of
course leads us to Vietnam II or B. They want this we let them have it their
way, and by having a nation based on Fundamentalist Islamic beliefs they will
become a TRUE terrorist sponsoring nation in the future.

Bin Laden can't thank Bush enough for invading Iraq.

So I ask in anger "This is what all those soldiers and civilians died for? what
has been accomplished???"

Either way we're screwed, either we continue to dictate to Iraq how they will
run their "free" country, or when we finally back out the nation will
eventually morph into another nation which is sympathetic to Islamic Radicals.
Look no further than when we assisted and helped finance the Mujahadeen against
the Soviets to see how well things turn out when we arrange for a country or a
very large area to be ruled by those who wish to create an Islamic Nation.

We all know how grateful they are towards us today for that.