She closes with this essential observation:
We absolutely suck at memetic warfare.
[...]
If i could do something, i would instantiate program funding for both al-Iraqiya and al-Jazeerha to run programs of scholarly debate on the Qu'ran. No content control. Get the best scholars in the ME debating these issues in public.
But all i seem to be able to do is be frustrated about how simple it is to manipulate peoples' belief systems for evil, while no one seems interested in doing it for good.
also flagged by matoko - the comment by Glenn that the Dubai ports fiasco may be an example of we being outplayed - in a game meant to isolate us from our Arab allies and thus torpedo the goal of bringing liberty to the Middle East. And who wins should that goal falter?
It's what happens when you live in an environment of unbelievers. The Christian faith has had more than it's share of thinking like, "I'm a Christian, but I don't believe that God has any right to tell anyone what to do." Unbelievers say, "Ha! You see, even you're own co-religionists agree with us." Believers realize that these "Christians" are not, shrug, and move on.
ReplyDeleteThat something would be happening with western Islamic communities is not at all surprising.
I would be interested to see this as well. I would be very interested in seeing Qaradawi actively debated from an Islamic rather than secular perspective.
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