MEMRI: Kuwaiti Scholar: 'All the Good is in Secular Thought, All the Evil in Religious Thought'

MEMRI (Middle East Media Research Institute) ^ | December 2, 2004 | Ahmad Al-Baghdadi

[steplock]

"progressive" the NEW code word for anti-Christian Communism

[kezekiel]

Check your six, Ahmad.

[A Ruckus of Dogs]

You can go to both extremes. Communism, an atheistic philosophy, killed millions.

[El Conservador]

All of a sudden, Prof. Al-Baghdadi's life outlook doesn't look that promising...

Talking against the mullahs is a dangerous proposition.

[Unam Sanctam]

Make that "Islamic religious thought", but even then it may not be entirely accurate.

[Stoat]

"progressive" the NEW code word for anti-Christian Communism

In the U.S. and Europe I would agree, although I think that the focus of Ahmad Al-Baghdadi's article in this case is against Islamic fundamentalism.  He uses some ancient examples of Christianity to illustrate his points, but clearly the focus of his article is not an anti-Christian one but an anti-Islamist one.

In the context of the Arab media and culture, I would suggest that 'progressive' means a departure from Islamist thought.

[weenie]

I think that the focus of Ahmad Al-Baghdadi's article in this case is against Islamic fundamentalism...

Yup.

Excellent article, but this guy signed his own death certificate.

[Question_Assumptions]

Tens of millions. Many estimates put the 20th Century death toll due to Communism at about 100 million, give or take. The right wing has had to appologize for and distance itself from Fascism. The left wing has never appologized for or distanced itself from Communism.

[eagle11]

In societies governed by the people, where rights are protected and rule of law prevails, religion is pursued by choice. It's no accident that Americans are truly the most faithful in the free world, they're free to worship how they wish and reap the blessings of faith.

Religion is the opiate of the masses in authoritarian societies, there we find the most hideous abuses of theology.

[fedupjohn]

Very interesting; wonder how long he as to live.....

This reminds me of a movie in the late 70's or early 80's, called "THE OTHER MAN"(I think), with Sean Connery portraying a Saudi Prince, who becomes King by assassination, and proposes peace with Israel. Finally the religious zealots finally just kill him.

[bahblahbah]

This case follows that of Kuwait University professor Dr Ahmad al-Baghdadi, sentenced in October 1999 to one month's imprisonment on charges of insulting Islam. Dr Ahmad al-Baghdadi was pardoned after serving 14 days of his sentence by the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah.
--
http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGMDE170012000?open&of=ENG-KWT

[AdmSmith]

I hope he has bodyguards.

[paudio]

I agree. Whenever somebody told me religion killed many people, I usually told him/her that 'human philosophy' killed even more: communism, nazism, etc. The person usually cannot say anything. The dichotomy between 'religion' and 'non-religion', I believe, is a 18th century idea that is still carried over.

[Guillermo]

Amazing how lefties completely and totally miss the irony of Mohammedans killing others because they essentially say Mohammedanism is a violent religion.

[joesnuffy]

Yep out of the muzzle'em pot into the Marxist fire....from jihaad to pogram

[A Ruckus of Dogs]

It's not the philosophy. It's forcing it on others that causes misery. That's what many people don't understand.

[Busywhiskers]

'All the Good is in Secular Thought, All the Evil in Religious Thought'

I guess if I lived in an Islamic nation, I would reach the same conclusion. In the Christian west the opposite seems to be generally true.

[Paul_B]

Bagdadi needs to meet up with the King of kings, so he can learn the difference between relationship with the true God and the religion he's used to. His perception is skewed by his religious experience, and thus is off the mark.

[marron]

It's not the philosophy. It's forcing it on others that causes misery. That's what many people don't understand.

Yes. Thank you.