[Steve Eisenberg]

Can you be Muslim and not follow Fatwas or Shariah?

Yes, the same way I can be Jewish and yet have eaten a non-kosher chicken tonight. Most world Muslims are not all that observant. Beyond that, Fatwas are issued by individual Muslim religious leaders and thus commonly contradict other Fatwas. As for Shariah, instituting this is highly controversial even in countries like Turkey which is quite close to 100% Muslim.

And even some strictly observant American Muslims are patriotic. Check out:

Islamic Supreme Council of America

[Calpernia]

Ok, first, I saved your link. It is very late here. I WILL review it.

Second, are we separating the 'Arab Tent' from Muslims in discussing this? Also, I've read 3 different translations of the Quran plus, from what I've learned only, only Imaan somehow instituted from Mecca can issue Fatwas. And the Fatwas I referred to where in my initial post to you were from Mecca recognized Imaan representing all the different Muslim religions. AND, the Arab Muslims I know have family in the Mid East that will suffer if Fatwas aren't carried out.

Help me out here. It is way to late for me to engage in this type of thread; but you are the first I've met that seem to understand enough to answer these questions.