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posted by
BrightIrish
on December 6, 2007 at 12:15 PM
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Re: CP
Thank you for your thoughtful response, Nautikos. I have responded in my next post...
posted by
cpklapper
on November 29, 2007 at 1:32 PM
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CP
Thanks for your thoughtful response. This has all the makings of an interesting debate. Here’s my current position (and remember, I am speaking as an agnostic, even as an atheist if by ‘God’ we mean the divinity ‘revealed’ in scripture): Sufism is politically irrelevant. In spite of many divisions in Islam, most Muslims adhere to a rather narrow and literal reading of the Koran; but, of course, the Hadith and the Sunnah are of almost equal importance.
Now, while there are undoubtedly hundreds of millions of moderate Muslims, all discernible trends point to an increasing radicalism and further spread of Islamo-fascism in the Muslim world. The transformation of that world into one where it is understood ‘that God is Being, Existence itself, "I AM THAT I AM"’, is not going to happen. To hope for that is to hope for a sudden and fundamental shift in an entire culture, and pious Western (and fairly recently acquired Christian) notions of letting 'diversity' bloom.
But my proposed strategy to begin with a universal Arab recognition of Israel does not rest on such transformation anyhow. Rather, it is based on the conviction that, with sufficient pressure from the West, these states can be made to see that recognition of Israel is in their own interest for purely pragmatic reasons. And these countries, none of them picture-book examples of democracy, for that reason alone need not to be too concerned about their populations! The guiding principle here is pragmatism.
Once the formal recognition of Israel is a fait accompli, we can build from there...
posted by
Nautikos
on November 29, 2007 at 12:21 PM
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Re: cp
Thanks for your comment, Troosha. I have responded in the next post.
posted by
cpklapper
on November 29, 2007 at 12:02 PM
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cp
Maybe the acknowledgement and acceptance of diversity is also a pathway to peace. Maybe we don't all have to believe in the same God, in the same way, but rather embrace our differences.
posted by
Troosha
on November 29, 2007 at 8:54 AM
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cpklapper
posted by
richinstore
on November 29, 2007 at 8:40 AM
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Very well written and I do agree with the last two comments.Chris.
posted by
Scramble
on November 29, 2007 at 3:43 AM
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I agree with SAM
posted by
Amanda__
on November 28, 2007 at 2:53 PM
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Out on a limb.....Israel should consider the new covenant. Jesus died for a reason and God is love, His love is for everyone!! SAM
posted by
sam444
on November 28, 2007 at 2:16 PM
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