aziz
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08:46:30 am on July 31, 2008 | # | |
Thursday thread: Shahed’s post at Beliefnet argues that muslim-Americans’ natural political home is the Progressive Left. However, I remain skeptical that the Left will ever be more than an ally of convenience; in my experience, progressive lefties are equally likely to impose their morality (or rather, their secularism) on others as conservatives are. It’s difficult to argue for preservation of our religious values when we are marching alongside Amy Richards and her ilk. The rhetoric of the progressives is one of tolerance and inclusion, but the reality is that they are not immune to xenophobia - it was Hillary Clinton who led the charge against Dubai Ports World. And we cannot ignore the simple truth that the Left has an innate hostility to religious expression, most particularly with respect to issues of personal choice like hijab.
(I made the case against a strong alliance with the Left in more detail at City of Brass)
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Mr Moo 11:03 am on July 31, 2008 | #
Muslims in the UK tend to socially progressive (leftwing), internationally centrist and conservative when it comes to personal morality.
The alliance in the UK between activist Muslims such as MAB, and the polical left in the form of the RESPECT party didn’t work out so well, though to be fair, these were less Progressive and more activist.
However, the progressive leftwing newspaper the Guardian, which I occasionally blog for, has been exceptional in putting out the broad range of Muslim opinion. We you and I say that over and above the nominal payments I receive for blog posts.
Sy 11:48 am on July 31, 2008 | #
I think that a difference should be drawn between the selfish, sometimes evangelical liberal lefties (I’m thinking of the Feinsteins and Pelosis) as well as the very radfems vs. progressive lefties (Feingolds), who oftentimes don’t view religion as the enemy. I’m not versed enough to go thru the differences, which have been done ad nauseum many other places, but I think the sheer number of progressive Christians and Jews and the practice of their faith would be inviting enough.