Posted by
Daniel Crandall on Friday, February 01, 2008 10:59:12 AM
Christopher D. Geisel, in his
review of George Weigel's new book
Faith, Reason, and the War Against Jihadism writes, "... Islamic tradition ... contains older elements that can
foster compatibility with consensual government and religious freedom." Geisel is summarizing Weigel's view that Islam might reform behind someone "who “reaches back into the deeper philosophical resources of his
tradition in order to broker a critical engagement with Enlightenment
political thought.”
My problem with the Weigel seems to be offering is made clear in this passage, by Geisel,
"... the Enlightenment ideal of universal human rights—seen as a gift from God
and not a dispensation of government—is deeply rooted in the Western
Judeo-Christian tradition. Further, the concepts of limited government
and separation between church and state can be found in the New
Testament, Weigel notes."
While this is true for the West, it is not true of the Islamic world. There has never been a separation between church and state in Islam. Sha'ria law has always been the tradition in Islam.
I do not know what it will take for Islam to leave behind the 6th Century idea of violent jihad, and theocratic rule. But going back to Islam's roots does not strike me as a viable solution, given that is exactly what the Islamic fascists are calling for.