[Cultural Jihad]

My aim, however, was not to compare the two, but rather to compare the similarities in which the two terms are exploited, if any, and explore the implications of any such exploitation.

An excellent post, BTW. Indeed it appears to me that these Islamist-terrorists are more Arab nationalists, much as the K.K.K., Christian Identity, or militia nutcases might try to misuse religion to bolster their evil agendas.

[Doctor Stochastic]

...Indeed it appears to me that these Islamist-terrorists are more Arab nationalists...

Good description. Al-Qaeda acts somewhat like the Mafia too.

[Voice in your head]

I could not agree more. I have long believed that Arab culture is the real enemy, not Islam. I think that the effectiveness with which a government claiming to have divine right can control an uneducated, conformist population is dangerous to itself and its neighbors. Because the social sciences are so difficult to analyze, due to so many uncertain variables (people), it is difficult to cite a clear piece of evidence, one way or the other. However, I would compare and contrast Kuwait and Bosnia as an illustration of the danger posed by culture, rather than religion.

In 1991, we liberated Kuwait. In 1996, we stuck our noses into the Balkan conflict. In each case, we helped Muslims. In Kuwait, the government needs us, so they are fairly cooperative, but the people tend to dislike us. In Bosnia, the Muslims love us. The difference? In my opinion, it is due to the positions of authority that religious leaders have in each culture. Bosnia does not have a whole lot of devout Muslims, because the government does not mandate Islam as a religion, nor is the government run by clerics. In Kuwait, "The religion of the State is Islam, and the Islamic Sharia is the main source of legislation." - quoted source