Islam and democracy?

[R1Geezer]

Why are they such reluctant bedfellows?

[Ankou]

oh at last, something new and different to debate.

[anotheoldgit]

Well don't stand on ceremony, please feel free to start the debate off.

[Gromit]

There are many democratic Islamic countries in the world. Is your question based on your limited knowledge of the middle east?

Or just the countries in which we like to interfere (usually overthrowing elected Governments and installing a more compliant pro western dictatorship/junta))?

[R1Geezer]

wel I suppose I was going by the middle east mainly, the west is trying to install democracy but they don't want it.

[tigerlily11]

there is a thousand and one reasons why they are reluctant bedfellows, but if you look at both of them they are not that far removed, if your using America's form of Democracy. Both rely on a hell of a lot of bullying of their respective followers and any one else who disagrees with them.

[anotheoldgit]

/// Is your question based on your limited knowledge of the middle east?///

There goes Gromit again, this time pointed at the Geezer.

Is there no end to this persons rudeness.

Perhaps Gromit has a Masters in Middle Eastern Affairs?

[Gromit]

R1Geezer

If we let them get on with it, a form of democratic Government might emerge in the Middle East. Unfortunately, there are many examples of outside interference when the people choose someone we (or neighbouring countries object to).

AOG: I am sure R1Geezer is made of sterner stuff that be wounded by my retort.

[keyplus90]

Why don't you write a leter to Obama or Mr Brown that thgey should start with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and perhaps Dubai (UAE) and see what they would say.


However I am sure that you would not find an answer so I better tell you the reason know.

Because we support dictatorship where it suits us and support democracy where that does.

So compare the market and not the mearkat....................Seeeeemple

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit

Now stop trying to creep around the Geezer, you have said it, and it can't be unsaid.

An apology to him is the least you can try, but please don't embarrass him by your false compliments.

[keyplus90]

And then why are you worried about what Muslims do or don't? You are not thinking about accepting Islam are you? Or is it some sort of phobia?

[Gromit]

There are varying degrees of democratic Government. Egypt seems to be democratic as does Turkey.

I am not holding it up as a shining example, but even Pakistan managed to return to some form of democracy last year (After Musharraf's military rule). Musharraf though not democratically elected, has been useful to the US in the War against Terror.

[anotheoldgit]

EKnewsDS

/// Islam and democracy go hand in hand, always have done. People like Geezer and AOG believe the lies they are fed every day by the media. Time they both woke up to what is happening in this country! ///

Then from where do you gain your "extreme knowledge" please tell us?

Is it in your local Mosque during Friday's prayers?

No need to tell us to wake up to what's happening in this country. I can't talk for others, but believe me I definitely know what is happening to this country, and have done for years.

[Gromit]

AOG

I have not creeped or given false compliments, to the Geezer. I regard my comments to him, and his to me as frank exchanges in a forthright discussion, and nothing to get upset about.

If Geezer thinks I need to apologise I will. Not because you have told me so.

[R1Geezer]

AOG, thanks for leaping in there but Gromit and I have long history of this sort of thing, I'm not offended.

Thanks to all for taking part.

[disneyblonde]

I would like every country in the world to look after their own state and business.
I am English and would especially like our government to stop interfering in the worlds business.
I live in one of the most corrupt ,morally bankrupt countries who's politicians think they have the right to tell other countries how to behave. I want to shout at them GET OUR MESS SORTED BEFORE TELLING OTHERS WHAT TO DO. Britain is the most beautifull place in the world for me, it is just some of the people living here are destroying it bit by bit.

[R1Geezer]

"I live in one of the most corrupt ,morally bankrupt countries " - Well that's the EU for you!

[sp1814]

R1Geezer

Your post assumes a point of view. Could you help us out by supplying some examples of democratic Islamic states and non-democratic ones.

Then perhaps, we'd be in a position to look at the demographic, historical and racial make up of those territoties to come to a conclusion.

As your question stands, it's a little to broad of answer in any meaningful way. For instance - what 'flavour' of Islam are you referring to? And which countries? Turkey? Malaysia? Afghanistan? Indonesia? Algeria? Kuwait? Morocco?

Should we perhaps stick to hardline extremist Muslim states? What about states which have a high proportion of Muslims, but aren't Muslim states - Brunei? Chad? Burkina Faso?