Never understand why it is there is need to suppress women through religion and otherwise. Frightening to hear of 9 year old girls forced to marry. It is like legalized or justified pedophilia
My guess is Islamic reformation may take longer than the west can wait. Sadly, Europe and Canada in particular cannot seem to grasp the notion that stopping a boulder rolling down hill is best before it gains momentum. I believe that woke sensibilities play into radical Islamist plans even if woke ideology condemns western religions. Call me confused!
BTW I think you meant a different number other than 2 million😳
In the 50s Tehran and Beirut and other Middle Eastern cities were not the subjucated places of Islamic conformism that they are today. The Saudis and the mullahs in Iran have done so much damage. But I agree with you, and I've heard it before, Islam needs a reformation.
Both Christianity and Islam are inherently archaic. Any modern person that follows either without applying modern knowledge is a fool.
John, I appreciate your opinion on the matter, but us Canadians would be well served by putting out our own fires before we go abroad to put out other’s fires. The West destabilized The Middle East via Sykes-Picot; thus, we are the ones accountable for the instability that has allowed radicals to run rampant throughout the region.
The greatest gift Canada can provide the world at this hour is a stable nation that takes in the oppressed of the world — and anyone else for that matter who wishes to be in one of the most blessed nations geographically. Housing issues are rampant, but a totally fixable issue if the political will is there to tackle it; personal finances be damned as housing is a humanitarian issue first and foremost — not a financial one. Lots of study show that those we take in are an economic net benefit in the long run anyhow.
Canada likely needs a systemic overhaul to rise to our full potential (which is lofty as geography is destiny and I dare say we have the greatest geography of any nation globally). In my humble opinion a federal-municipal system would be the solution. We need a leader with near dictatorial powers to accomplish the Herculean tasks that lay before our great nation — as we need major changes as soon as possible to prevent long term pain for Canadians. Voters could vote for their mayors (who I dare say understand constituents needs/wants best due to proximity); then the mayors could vote for the leader/dictator with a veto mechanism such as a 75% (or whatever % is deemed appropriate to rein in the leader/dictator if they go off the rails so to speak).
Our constitution is an archaic document from the 19th century which does not fit the 21st century. Above my pay grade to draft a new one, but thankfully our land is full of minds capable of this lofty task. We need a new constitution made in the 21st century for the 21st century.
If one wants to be truly ambitious, then you make a system so good that everyone wants to join. The sales pitch would be simple for other geographical entities to join — join and you get a better quality of life and economy thanks to these themes: simplicity; economies of scale; standardization; a strong centralized government held accountable to the mayors to protect the people; open and transparent data to provide circular accountability — many of these themes AI would be heavily integrated into.
These are simply my ideas and I apologize if this comes across as a rant.
Thanks John for posting this. Any reformation is best done "by us and for us" meaning each of these nations need to govern themselves, if the goal is to have lasting reformation.
While I do personally believe in international law, I also accept that we in Canada and the West have not been constant upholders of laws we find mettlesome. So as unconscionable as this law would be, I don't think it's something we can ask international organizations to govern. If memory serves correct the UN rejected the US and UK request for the ability to invade Iraq.....
I think the glimmer of hope is that reformation can follow in the footsteps of technological advancement. The Reformation was 80 years or so after the invention if the printing press. So does the proliferation of digital communication and social media channels bode well for the ability of the people to learn more about different possibilities, and the hope that they could rise up? I would say so. Of course, ideally we would support such an uprising. But again, the track record ain't great, thinking of Syria and many other places.
At the end, one must always ask oneself who benefits if a right wing theocracy remains in Iran and other countries. That's where we can have influence.
If nations want to pass these sorts or barbaric laws - for religious reasons or otherwise - at the very least we could reciprocate by removing them from various international bodies like the UN. The worse crime is our hypocrisy when we take no action against them in the exact forums created to fight these indignities.
And yet on the current UNHRC: Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Saudi, etc.
I appreciate this brave attempt to tackle, in the space of one post, a topic that requires a book. Your diagnosis is correct in several points but … „then what?” Islam won’t have their reformation any time soon, because it flourishes and gains members. Its strength is in its simplicity and that fact addresses needs of people who do not need to think too much about values of their life but pretend these values to be just dictated by someone. Unlike Christianity, Islam is not a spiritual religion. It is practical. You pray five times per day, pilgrimage once per life and do on. I dont think many muslims see need for reforms.
Thank you for the piece, I appreciate the recognition of the Christianity and it's traditions as a predecessor to contemporary science. A historical fact which I feel is lost on many in the Academy. When I learned in my independent study that Carolus Linnaeus (known for his species naming system we all use today) in the first edition of his Systema Naturae wrote on the importance of Divine Providence–which was excluded from modern editions–I knew I was let down by my higher education.
If you could, do you mind sharing the name of the scholar who is working on the Syriac-Aramaic translation of the Koran? I enjoy reading older works for their wisdom (e.g. St. Thomas Aquinas and his Summa Theologica) and would greatly appreciate a read of a different interpretation of the Koran.
Perhaps it’s worth turning the critique inward. The ongoing tragedy in Gaza is not occurring in isolation but is, in part, fueled by the influence of one radical, quasi-religious belief system—Zionism—being actively supported and propelled by another: the evangelical Christian movement.
Maybe the ‘reformation’ you see in Western Christianity isn’t as complete as you think it is.
Times coming out of the pandemic are rough. The World had a complete shutdown followed by a hard reboot and leaders of nations have not been able to deal with it so they fallen back on old tactics with poor results. In western democracies the people have put the blame on the ruling governm ent whether left or right, US, UK, France, Netherlands, Finland, and very likely Canada next year. Russia decided it was the neighbors fault & invaded Ukraine & interfered in Moldova, Belarus, Georgia. In the Islamic World its been doubling down on religious extremism in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan. Palestine decided to poke it's old enemy with predictable results.
Does Islam need a Reformation? Most likely yes but is the real issue us not finding more effective ways to deal with difficult times.
If inflation was low, most people had a fair job, and a affordable house
1. Would Trump be President
2. Would Putin have invaded Ukraine
3. Would Palestine have attack Israel
4. Would Iraq be proposing to marry off 9 yr girls
Never understand why it is there is need to suppress women through religion and otherwise. Frightening to hear of 9 year old girls forced to marry. It is like legalized or justified pedophilia
Spot on John.
My guess is Islamic reformation may take longer than the west can wait. Sadly, Europe and Canada in particular cannot seem to grasp the notion that stopping a boulder rolling down hill is best before it gains momentum. I believe that woke sensibilities play into radical Islamist plans even if woke ideology condemns western religions. Call me confused!
BTW I think you meant a different number other than 2 million😳
In the 50s Tehran and Beirut and other Middle Eastern cities were not the subjucated places of Islamic conformism that they are today. The Saudis and the mullahs in Iran have done so much damage. But I agree with you, and I've heard it before, Islam needs a reformation.
This is just sick. No one can justify doing this to a human being.
Both Christianity and Islam are inherently archaic. Any modern person that follows either without applying modern knowledge is a fool.
John, I appreciate your opinion on the matter, but us Canadians would be well served by putting out our own fires before we go abroad to put out other’s fires. The West destabilized The Middle East via Sykes-Picot; thus, we are the ones accountable for the instability that has allowed radicals to run rampant throughout the region.
The greatest gift Canada can provide the world at this hour is a stable nation that takes in the oppressed of the world — and anyone else for that matter who wishes to be in one of the most blessed nations geographically. Housing issues are rampant, but a totally fixable issue if the political will is there to tackle it; personal finances be damned as housing is a humanitarian issue first and foremost — not a financial one. Lots of study show that those we take in are an economic net benefit in the long run anyhow.
Canada likely needs a systemic overhaul to rise to our full potential (which is lofty as geography is destiny and I dare say we have the greatest geography of any nation globally). In my humble opinion a federal-municipal system would be the solution. We need a leader with near dictatorial powers to accomplish the Herculean tasks that lay before our great nation — as we need major changes as soon as possible to prevent long term pain for Canadians. Voters could vote for their mayors (who I dare say understand constituents needs/wants best due to proximity); then the mayors could vote for the leader/dictator with a veto mechanism such as a 75% (or whatever % is deemed appropriate to rein in the leader/dictator if they go off the rails so to speak).
Our constitution is an archaic document from the 19th century which does not fit the 21st century. Above my pay grade to draft a new one, but thankfully our land is full of minds capable of this lofty task. We need a new constitution made in the 21st century for the 21st century.
If one wants to be truly ambitious, then you make a system so good that everyone wants to join. The sales pitch would be simple for other geographical entities to join — join and you get a better quality of life and economy thanks to these themes: simplicity; economies of scale; standardization; a strong centralized government held accountable to the mayors to protect the people; open and transparent data to provide circular accountability — many of these themes AI would be heavily integrated into.
These are simply my ideas and I apologize if this comes across as a rant.
Sincerely,
Robert Kenneth Mackey
Thanks John for posting this. Any reformation is best done "by us and for us" meaning each of these nations need to govern themselves, if the goal is to have lasting reformation.
While I do personally believe in international law, I also accept that we in Canada and the West have not been constant upholders of laws we find mettlesome. So as unconscionable as this law would be, I don't think it's something we can ask international organizations to govern. If memory serves correct the UN rejected the US and UK request for the ability to invade Iraq.....
I think the glimmer of hope is that reformation can follow in the footsteps of technological advancement. The Reformation was 80 years or so after the invention if the printing press. So does the proliferation of digital communication and social media channels bode well for the ability of the people to learn more about different possibilities, and the hope that they could rise up? I would say so. Of course, ideally we would support such an uprising. But again, the track record ain't great, thinking of Syria and many other places.
At the end, one must always ask oneself who benefits if a right wing theocracy remains in Iran and other countries. That's where we can have influence.
If nations want to pass these sorts or barbaric laws - for religious reasons or otherwise - at the very least we could reciprocate by removing them from various international bodies like the UN. The worse crime is our hypocrisy when we take no action against them in the exact forums created to fight these indignities.
And yet on the current UNHRC: Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Saudi, etc.
What a mockery.
I appreciate this brave attempt to tackle, in the space of one post, a topic that requires a book. Your diagnosis is correct in several points but … „then what?” Islam won’t have their reformation any time soon, because it flourishes and gains members. Its strength is in its simplicity and that fact addresses needs of people who do not need to think too much about values of their life but pretend these values to be just dictated by someone. Unlike Christianity, Islam is not a spiritual religion. It is practical. You pray five times per day, pilgrimage once per life and do on. I dont think many muslims see need for reforms.
"Islam needs its own reformation." As if Christianity is not?
Thank you for the piece, I appreciate the recognition of the Christianity and it's traditions as a predecessor to contemporary science. A historical fact which I feel is lost on many in the Academy. When I learned in my independent study that Carolus Linnaeus (known for his species naming system we all use today) in the first edition of his Systema Naturae wrote on the importance of Divine Providence–which was excluded from modern editions–I knew I was let down by my higher education.
If you could, do you mind sharing the name of the scholar who is working on the Syriac-Aramaic translation of the Koran? I enjoy reading older works for their wisdom (e.g. St. Thomas Aquinas and his Summa Theologica) and would greatly appreciate a read of a different interpretation of the Koran.
Perhaps it’s worth turning the critique inward. The ongoing tragedy in Gaza is not occurring in isolation but is, in part, fueled by the influence of one radical, quasi-religious belief system—Zionism—being actively supported and propelled by another: the evangelical Christian movement.
Maybe the ‘reformation’ you see in Western Christianity isn’t as complete as you think it is.
Times coming out of the pandemic are rough. The World had a complete shutdown followed by a hard reboot and leaders of nations have not been able to deal with it so they fallen back on old tactics with poor results. In western democracies the people have put the blame on the ruling governm ent whether left or right, US, UK, France, Netherlands, Finland, and very likely Canada next year. Russia decided it was the neighbors fault & invaded Ukraine & interfered in Moldova, Belarus, Georgia. In the Islamic World its been doubling down on religious extremism in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan. Palestine decided to poke it's old enemy with predictable results.
Does Islam need a Reformation? Most likely yes but is the real issue us not finding more effective ways to deal with difficult times.
If inflation was low, most people had a fair job, and a affordable house
1. Would Trump be President
2. Would Putin have invaded Ukraine
3. Would Palestine have attack Israel
4. Would Iraq be proposing to marry off 9 yr girls