In Theory, Would a Peaceful Islamic Caliphate Have Merit?

[bedstuy]

Of course not.  I don't see how you can look at the Arab world and say to yourself, "you know what the problem is?  Not enough crazy medieval religion!"  Islam is a horrible basis for any state and Islamic law is backwards and morally bankrupt.  It would be way worse than the status quo.

[bedstuy]

Absolutely not if it's Wahhabi.

What type of distinction is that?  Do think there's some version of Islam that's compatible with modernity and liberal values?

[bedstuy]

Absolutely not if it's Wahhabi.

What type of distinction is that?  Do think there's some version of Islam that's compatible with modernity and liberal values?

I didn't really say it was a good idea regardless, but a Wahhabi Caliphate of any kind would be guaranteed to be absolutely awful.

That's kind of a buzz word, Wahhabi.  In reality, there are no neat lines to draw between standard Suni Islam whether it's Wahhabi or Salafi or generic.  It's not like Anglican vs. Lutheran vs. 7th day Adventist. 

To risk oversimplifying, the more conservative schools of thought in Islam are more literal, committed to Islam as a total answer to everything and consumed with religion above all else.  They've basically rotten away their rational thinking abilities with their religion.  However, I don't think there is what we tend to call "moderate Islam" either.  There are people who take religion less seriously and their rationality and humanity guides them to keep religion from clouding their judgment.  There is no moderate, progressive version of Islam, there's no reform Judaism or Episcopalian equivalent in Islam.

[bedstuy]

Absolutely not if it's Wahhabi.

What type of distinction is that?  Do think there's some version of Islam that's compatible with modernity and liberal values?

I didn't really say it was a good idea regardless, but a Wahhabi Caliphate of any kind would be guaranteed to be absolutely awful.

That's kind of a buzz word, Wahhabi.  In reality, there are no neat lines to draw between standard Suni Islam whether it's Wahhabi or Salafi or generic.  It's not like Anglican vs. Lutheran vs. 7th day Adventist. 

To risk oversimplifying, the more conservative schools of thought in Islam are more literal, committed to Islam as a total answer to everything and consumed with religion above all else.  They've basically rotten away their rational thinking abilities with their religion.  However, I don't think there is what we tend to call "moderate Islam" either.  There are people who take religion less seriously and their rationality and humanity guides them to keep religion from clouding their judgment.  There is no moderate, progressive version of Islam, there's no reform Judaism or Episcopalian equivalent in Islam.

Of course it is possible for a Muslim to take his or her religion seriously without wanting to behead those who disagree with them. How is this in question?  That doesn't even necessitate being "modern" or "progressive" or whatever those terms mean in this context.

Not beheading random people who disagree with you is nice, but it does not mean that you embrace basic values of Western liberalism and human rights.