One of the criticisms many of us in the West have had against Islam as it is widely practiced today is the fact that it is, essentially, a religion "stuck in the 7th century". Unlike Christianity, which underwent major reforms in the time of Martin Luther, Islam is essentially the same as it was practiced in Mohammed's time.

It seems that Turkey, the most secular of the Muslim states, is attempting to effect a Reformation by government committee by attempting to streamline and reinterpret the Hadith, the second holiest scripture after the Koran itself in Islam; and the writings used the most in the formation of Shari'a Law.

This is something that NEEDS to be done, no religion can be practiced for over 1300 years without being re-examined in the light of modern knowledge. I fear however, that Islam as practiced by the Islamofascists sects is highly resistant to ANY new interpretation; that is one reason that it is so virulent an enemy. Turkey may just have bitten off way more than it can chew.

The question is: will the West provide aid in this endeavour, or will Turkey have to try to go it totally alone. If it does go it alone, it may find itself as the new "great Satan"; almost as bad as the U.S. and Israel. If we attempt to aid them, we may just be hurting the chances for real reform on the basis that Turkey is being "seduced by the Great Satan" and give even more justification to the Islamofascist POV. Either way, we are damned.

My view is that True Reform can only come from within. I believe that we as a people can only wish Turkey the best of luck in this endeavour, and hope and pray that it is successful. If we can provide support at a later date, we should, if asked, provide it; with the proviso that we maintain neutrality in the Reform itself.

Posted by: Delftsman3 at 01:10 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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