Can Democracy and Islam walk together?

Answer 1

They have walked together in Turkey and Egypt quite well. There are Muslims in America who participate in our democratic process without any problem. If they want to they can. But that applies to people whether Muslim or not.

Answer 2

A democracy is a system in which all people are judged as equals before the law, regardless of race, religion or gender. The vote of every individual counts as much as the vote of any other. The collective will of the people then determines the rules of society.

Under Islamic law, only Muslim males enjoy full rights. The standing of a woman is often half that of a man's - sometimes even less. Non-Muslims have no standing with a Muslim.

The Islamic state is guided by Islamic law, derived from the Qur'an and Sunnah. A body of clerics interprets the law and applies it to all circumstances social, cultural and political. The people are never to be placed above the Qur'an and Sunnah any more than man should be above Allah.

It is somewhat debatable as to whether there are any states in the Muslim world that qualify as actual democracies. There is no denying, however, that the tiny handful that are often held up as democratic nations are ones in which deep tension exists between the government and religious leaders, as the later often complain that it is an idolatrous system imposed on them.

Islam does not facilitate democracy.

cattledog - UPDATE!!!
Which way, Turkey? Update: 17 hurt in election violence Update: Secular opposition losing

'Although the ruling party’s success has been touted as proof that Islam and democracy can coexist, the new government is likely to face persistent tension over the role of Islam in society.'

http://michellemalkin.com/2007/07/22/which-way-turkey/

Answer 3

Yes, although if the state adopted Islam as a religion, the democracy element of it would be severely cramped. Islam forbids certain types of speech, such as speech against religion and against religious leaders. Their freedom of speech, as well as other freedoms, would not resemble ours. Still, an Islamic democracy could still hold elections, have representatives and decide policy for a country while following Islamic beliefs. For a country like Iraq, this would be preferable because Islamic governments are expected in the Middle East.

Answer 4

Democracy and Islam do work together in parts of the world... Turkey is an example... even the Palestinians have a democratic government.

Democracy is just one type of successful government. If some Islamic nations choose to be something else than Democracy then I won't lose any sleep over it. That's their choice.

Answer 5

Democracy is a secular system.

Frankly, Democracy cannot work when religion is is major influence, be that religion Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, or Buddhism. Anyone who thinks that American Democracy is Christian really needs to read what Jefferson and our other Founding Fathers wrote on the subject, they were very specific about the dangers of including religion in the government.

If those in the government understanding that religion and government should be separate, then there can be Democracy. For example, take Turkey, it is a secular Muslim government, which has worked relatively well for many years.

Answer 6

there isn't and hasn't been one Islam , it changes from time to time in country to country .
At the moment we have an extreme primitive vicious Islam that would be unknow to most Islamic cultures of sophistication. Islam and and should, how ever many people seek power through religion. If the mullah allow democracy they are rendered powerless so it is in their interest to undermine democracy

Answer 7

If you are asking if a Western idea of a free democracy can coexist with fundalmentalist Islam and Sharia law then then answer is of course not. They are mutually exclusive.

If you are talking about the same western ideal and decent "westernized" Muslims that exist in the 21st century as opposed to the 7th, then they should be able to get along fine.

Answer 8

It's possible if there is a separation of religion and state.

When a state can be ruled by th People, not the wealthy, people born in the right family, or even the Church (Or Mosque for that matter), then any area and culture can start to become a Democracy.

Answer 9

Not if the people in the US who think we need a Theocracy here represent Islam and Democracy.

Answer 10

Only like a blind man trying to direct a deaf one how to cross the road.
Democracy is a useful construct, that works as long as the majority does not use its power to rob or otherwise oppress the minority; Islam is a religion whose extreme forms mean altering all aspects of everyone's daily lives through an all-powerful State priesthood.