It's definitely a problem with Islam. An attack yesterday involved the Islamic terrorist seperating Muslim from non Muslim before killing the non Muslim civilians in cold blood.
Wow! Great article with enlightening insight as to why such advanced Muslim societies in the Golden Age became stunted intellectually. It is interesting, though, that when it comes to military technology, Pakistan and Iran are quite advanced. Modern Islamic doctrine does not seem to shun science in the service of military might.
This article strikes me as fair and balanced, acknowledging the contributions of Muslim societies in the past while documenting their decline and current problems. However, despite the current widespread, serious problems in Islamic societies, this does not mean that every single Muslim today is a bad person. For example, I think that human rights lawyer Qasim Rashid is doing tremendous amounts of good work (e.g., https://www.qasimrashid.com/p/rfks-maha-movement-is-killing-americans). I wonder how he would react to this article?
Thank you John. Yes without a doubt. However the percentage of Muslims speaking out against the obvious issues with Islam is very very small. And we know why that is, free and open speech is not allowed in Islam, which of course is the problem.
You've put your finger right on of the big problems with Islam, that speaking out against even obvious problems might put a price on the speaker's head. It is sort of the opposite of free speech and inquiry in science: scientists constantly question each other's logic, methods, theories and findings, which, in the end, leads science to a better understanding of the world.
Wonderful article. Although it is apparent to anyone who looks around the world that Muslim societies are failing, this is the first article. I have read that shows the history of it. Thank you, Kellie. Very enlightening.
Erasing history is probably one of the worst sins (of many) for those seeking to restore some dipshit modern day version of a caliphate. It's no different than mid to late century Soviet Union attempts to airbrush the now-undesirables out of photographs and textbooks, all in a mad rush to maintain power through the establishment of a new narrative, a lie.
Iconoclasm isn't the same as erasure, but it's frequently cited as justification for these historical horrors occurring in the middle east. Just as idiotically, the left in western culture uses the same framework to tear down now-undesirable statues (or careers) of those deemed unfit for history's preservation.
Hi Kelli, have you considered the role of Western powers in directing or creating modern Muslim states, such as Britain during the Arab Revolt and the partition of India, or the USA's support for Afghan militants after the Soviet invasion of 1980?
We might note that Christendom has been through some phases when it was more enlightened, and others when it was more warlike and expansionist.
Thanks for your comment. Yes it appears that periods of golden ages in anything will often ebb and flow, or rather peak then decline, then peak again. What makes the Islamic golden age different is that it has continued to decline only.
Which makes sense when you look at the dogmatic changes to their academic learning and how Islam began controlling all aspects of public and private lives.
Nailed it. Great article. Sad that a once thriving culture can fail and fall for centuries. They also don’t value life. This is a major player in their doctrine.
Thanks, Kelly. Great article, as usual. "What is needed in Islam is less self-pride and more self-criticism" Well said! In general, I think this apply not only to Islam. Every group /country/religion/party should have a bit more self-criticism than self-pride. At the same time, it's a delicate balance and we need not slide from self-criticism into self-hate as many westerners do nowadays.
Thank-you for your timely attention on this. It is really helpful to understand the many layers. I had been so confused learning from incredible Islamic leaders of the beautiful depths of the faith while witnessing the brutal underbelly of unconsciousness fear filled dogma roll out realtime. The statistics say it all. To be disconnected from future potential or inner depth is stultifying. I recently went through a painful awakening myself though I was just trying to catch up and keep up with the now. Extending my interests across multiple subjects helped me get out of psychological prison though there’s still a ways to go. There’s so much beauty in the world it’s heartbreaking to see so many people oblivious powerless living in authentically and in fear of just about everything.
I’m not so sure about the “Islamic Golden Age”. I think this might be a romantic interpretation that arose as a result of the Reformation split European Christendom and resulted in a great deal of self-criticism and romanticism towards anyone but Catholics and Orthodox Christians. Islamic imperial conquest simply swept through civilized territories where scientific developments were already happening. It didn’t burn everything at once, because the Arab elites did have a level of admiration for what they conquered…at least after several generations moderated the initial zeal of the movement. However, there is nothing moderate about the Quran, the Life of Muhammad, or the Hadith (Sayings of Muhammad). A Muslim must follow these, and if you read them, there will be no confusion as to why Islam has overwhelmingly been a force of genocide and destruction since its inception.
India has a record of attacks from Pakistan in recent years. When I read about the recent senseless murders, I figured it came from Muslims. Just as the recent beheadings of Christians in the Congo came from Islamic " extremists". Imagine tiny Israel facing daily terror attacks for decades. Sincere Sympathies to those families killed in this recent attack in India's "Little Switzerland". The mental picture of those on picnics and children taking pony rides, reek of an Oct.7 style attack. Hoping there were survivors in the mix that were airlifted to hospitals. Jews, Hindis and Christians share this common enemy.
I admire Israel. To manage to be a vibrant democracy (with Jewish and Arab citizens) and have a good economy in that deaolate stretch of land requires bravery, ingenuity and a lot of hard work.
Sensitively written and very interesting. Thank you.
Thank you Susan.
It's definitely a problem with Islam. An attack yesterday involved the Islamic terrorist seperating Muslim from non Muslim before killing the non Muslim civilians in cold blood.
Wow! Great article with enlightening insight as to why such advanced Muslim societies in the Golden Age became stunted intellectually. It is interesting, though, that when it comes to military technology, Pakistan and Iran are quite advanced. Modern Islamic doctrine does not seem to shun science in the service of military might.
Thanks Dan.
This article strikes me as fair and balanced, acknowledging the contributions of Muslim societies in the past while documenting their decline and current problems. However, despite the current widespread, serious problems in Islamic societies, this does not mean that every single Muslim today is a bad person. For example, I think that human rights lawyer Qasim Rashid is doing tremendous amounts of good work (e.g., https://www.qasimrashid.com/p/rfks-maha-movement-is-killing-americans). I wonder how he would react to this article?
Thank you John. Yes without a doubt. However the percentage of Muslims speaking out against the obvious issues with Islam is very very small. And we know why that is, free and open speech is not allowed in Islam, which of course is the problem.
You've put your finger right on of the big problems with Islam, that speaking out against even obvious problems might put a price on the speaker's head. It is sort of the opposite of free speech and inquiry in science: scientists constantly question each other's logic, methods, theories and findings, which, in the end, leads science to a better understanding of the world.
Exactly right John.
Wonderful article. Although it is apparent to anyone who looks around the world that Muslim societies are failing, this is the first article. I have read that shows the history of it. Thank you, Kellie. Very enlightening.
Thank you for reading. It’s put an interesting light on it doesn’t it.
Definitely.
Erasing history is probably one of the worst sins (of many) for those seeking to restore some dipshit modern day version of a caliphate. It's no different than mid to late century Soviet Union attempts to airbrush the now-undesirables out of photographs and textbooks, all in a mad rush to maintain power through the establishment of a new narrative, a lie.
Iconoclasm isn't the same as erasure, but it's frequently cited as justification for these historical horrors occurring in the middle east. Just as idiotically, the left in western culture uses the same framework to tear down now-undesirable statues (or careers) of those deemed unfit for history's preservation.
Well said.
It’s such a shame 😞
Hi Kelli, have you considered the role of Western powers in directing or creating modern Muslim states, such as Britain during the Arab Revolt and the partition of India, or the USA's support for Afghan militants after the Soviet invasion of 1980?
We might note that Christendom has been through some phases when it was more enlightened, and others when it was more warlike and expansionist.
Thanks for your comment. Yes it appears that periods of golden ages in anything will often ebb and flow, or rather peak then decline, then peak again. What makes the Islamic golden age different is that it has continued to decline only.
Which makes sense when you look at the dogmatic changes to their academic learning and how Islam began controlling all aspects of public and private lives.
Nailed it. Great article. Sad that a once thriving culture can fail and fall for centuries. They also don’t value life. This is a major player in their doctrine.
Thank you CK
So interesting, Kelli. Well-researched.
Thanks Elly 🙏🏻
Very interesting and thought provoking, thank you Kelli.
My pleasure. Thank you Jean.
Thanks, Kelly. Great article, as usual. "What is needed in Islam is less self-pride and more self-criticism" Well said! In general, I think this apply not only to Islam. Every group /country/religion/party should have a bit more self-criticism than self-pride. At the same time, it's a delicate balance and we need not slide from self-criticism into self-hate as many westerners do nowadays.
Thank-you for your timely attention on this. It is really helpful to understand the many layers. I had been so confused learning from incredible Islamic leaders of the beautiful depths of the faith while witnessing the brutal underbelly of unconsciousness fear filled dogma roll out realtime. The statistics say it all. To be disconnected from future potential or inner depth is stultifying. I recently went through a painful awakening myself though I was just trying to catch up and keep up with the now. Extending my interests across multiple subjects helped me get out of psychological prison though there’s still a ways to go. There’s so much beauty in the world it’s heartbreaking to see so many people oblivious powerless living in authentically and in fear of just about everything.
Well done on your awakening. Breaking out of indoctrinated thought is a testament to you.
To answer your question at the end: because it’s a death cult.
I’m not so sure about the “Islamic Golden Age”. I think this might be a romantic interpretation that arose as a result of the Reformation split European Christendom and resulted in a great deal of self-criticism and romanticism towards anyone but Catholics and Orthodox Christians. Islamic imperial conquest simply swept through civilized territories where scientific developments were already happening. It didn’t burn everything at once, because the Arab elites did have a level of admiration for what they conquered…at least after several generations moderated the initial zeal of the movement. However, there is nothing moderate about the Quran, the Life of Muhammad, or the Hadith (Sayings of Muhammad). A Muslim must follow these, and if you read them, there will be no confusion as to why Islam has overwhelmingly been a force of genocide and destruction since its inception.
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pahalgam-terrorist-attack-26-killed-in-deadly-pahalgam-attack-let-linked-group-claims-responsibility-8233100/amp/1#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=17453941728236&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com
India has a record of attacks from Pakistan in recent years. When I read about the recent senseless murders, I figured it came from Muslims. Just as the recent beheadings of Christians in the Congo came from Islamic " extremists". Imagine tiny Israel facing daily terror attacks for decades. Sincere Sympathies to those families killed in this recent attack in India's "Little Switzerland". The mental picture of those on picnics and children taking pony rides, reek of an Oct.7 style attack. Hoping there were survivors in the mix that were airlifted to hospitals. Jews, Hindis and Christians share this common enemy.
I admire Israel. To manage to be a vibrant democracy (with Jewish and Arab citizens) and have a good economy in that deaolate stretch of land requires bravery, ingenuity and a lot of hard work.