Islam vs. Democracy; Why are they so opposed?
Part 2
I realize that on the surface, even the title of this episode is
controversial, let alone some of the subject matter. In an effort to
balance things out, I am adamantly opposed to the whole concept of
terrorism for any ends, be they political, religious or economic. I
am merely trying to peer behind the veil of Islam, so to speak, and
get a grasp on what has motivated them to suicidal and genocidal
behavior.
My anecdotal evidence of walking around safely in a huge Muslim city
in the 1960's could just as easily be refuted by attempting the same
carefree walk today in the aftermath of the continuing "War on
Terror".
I don't think that westerners are viewed as favorably now as then.
There is a concept in the Orient, of which the Middle East is a part,
called "Face". Saving face is all-important. Whether in Turkey or
Tokyo, the goal is the same. In fact, a part of saving face, is never
revealing what is going on behind one's own face, Secrecy, privacy
and stealth are paramount. Lying is totally permissible and accepted
as a means of saving face.
When President Ahmedinejad stated with a completely straight "face"
that there are no homosexuals in Iran, he was greeted with complete
incredulity by his audience at NYU. Homosexuality is forbidden in
Islam, yet it was completely commonplace in Pakistan to see gangs of
young men, holding thumbs, carousing about, in an open display of
their homosexuality. But in fairness, Islam has created such a
strange niche for women in their society, that young men, who are
bursting with hormones are forbidden to look upon women with whom they
are not married. Marriage is horrendously expensive and generally the
province of the middle and upper classes to cement family alliances
and strengthen them financial and culturally.
Hence, there exists in extreme Muslim countries an almost complete
dearth of what we would view as normal boy/girl relationships, like
dating, going steady etc.. In many ways it is as if men and women are
in separate prisons, often succumbing to the same temptations as real
prisoners, by engaging in same-sex liaisons.
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