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THE QUESTION
Faith in Egypt
Mike Huckabee, the conservative former Arkansas governor, this weekend said that he is concerned about Islam's role in Egypt's future. As On Faith panelist Reza Aslan this week noted, Huckabee has also called for Americans to "take this nation back for Christ" and, while running for president in 2008, declared that "what we need to do is to amend the Constitution so it's in God's standards."
In America and in Egypt, should a majority religion inspire political life? How will Islam play a role in the struggles for democracy happening now in Egypt and other parts of the Muslim world?
Posted by
On Faith on January 31, 2011 2:43 PM
FROM THE PANEL
Let's set a good example for religious liberty here at home
The United States may have a limited capacity to influence the ultimate outcome of protests in the Middle East. Perhaps we'd be better off securing religious and civil liberties at home. Then, the rest of the world would at least have a very strong model to reflect upon.
Posted by Barry Lynn, on February 15, 2011 12:37 PM
Religion is far beyond politics
Religion is a search for the holy, the eternal, the real; which is clearly far beyond politics and political theories. It is quest for the God. We should be asking Him to fill our hearts with infinite peace instead of claiming to be the sole executer of the political blueprint stemmed out of the edict from heaven.
Posted by Rajan Zed, on February 4, 2011 1:02 PM
Religion indispensable, but not in political life
Religion should motivate people to move away from corruption and violence and should steer clear from politics.
Posted by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, on February 4, 2011 12:10 PM
A defining moment for US, Egypt and the Middle East
How the US responds to the surge of democratic aspiration in the Arab world will not only help shape the future of the region, but will also dictate the state of American relationships with the Arab world and the Muslim world for the next century.
Posted by Pamela K. Taylor, on February 3, 2011 6:39 PM
More religion, better religion
Egypt was Christian before she was Muslim. She retains a significant Christian population. American Christians, including political candidates like Mike Huckabee, should not endanger those brothers and sisters in Christ through rash statements.
Posted by John Mark Reynolds, on February 3, 2011 6:30 PM
To Mubarak: If you love Egypt, leave
The most radically patriotic thing that he could do now, the most loving thing, the thing that would honor God, Islam and his own place in history would be to leave the country he has ruled and no doubt loves. Such is still possible. Sometimes radical loves means saying goodbye.
Posted by Valerie Elverton Dixon, on February 3, 2011 6:20 PM
Is the Prophet a founding father?
Muhammad cannot be kept out of Arab politics.
Posted by Deepak Chopra, on February 1, 2011 9:05 PM
Inspiration and pragmatism meet to build democracy
The inspiration may be religious but the policy that will prevail must always be pragmatic.
Posted by Janet Edwards, on February 1, 2011 6:07 PM
What Egypt can teach America
It is my prayer that this complex, at times difficult, relationship between fervent faith and democratic openness can be preserved in Egypt.
Posted by Serene Jones, on February 1, 2011 6:02 PM
Religion should be kept out of politics
It seems to be a bad idea for any religious group, Christian, Muslim, or otherwise, to inspire and control political life.
Posted by Susan K. Smith, on February 1, 2011 4:09 PM
A minority view of religious majorities
Whenever I hear a country's name branded with a faith, whether in aspiration or fact, I wonder about the safety, rights, and security of all those who don't fit under that label.
Posted by Jason Pitzl-Waters, on February 1, 2011 2:37 PM
'Secular' Is not a dirty word for governments
I don't want to see an officially Islamic Egypt nor an officially Christian America.
Posted by Barry Lynn, on February 1, 2011 2:05 PM
Faith should inspire us and democracy should guide us
What will come next in Egypt is still in question, but the rise of an Islamic theocracy is hardly assured.
Posted by Welton Gaddy, on February 1, 2011 11:10 AM
Americans, Egyptians want 'G-d's standards' in government
Even more so than with Christianity, Mike Huckabee's own religious faith, Islam calls for a unity of purpose in the sacred and secular realms. All of life is to be governed by the will of Allah - of G-d. If one looks at the "99 names of G-d" in Islam, one gets the distinct feeling that justice, mercy, compassion, love, and beneficence are mighty important. If those are "G-d's standards" there, too, I have no problem with it!
Posted by Max Carter, on February 1, 2011 9:47 AM
Take the nation back...where?
It's interesting that some politicians can see dangers in a theocracy or in a government that favors one religion over others only when it's their religion that isn't favored. Holiness isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Posted by Herb Silverman, on January 31, 2011 5:28 PM
Egypt's Facebook revolution: is it spiritual?
The old regimes of power in the Middle East are being shaken by a revolution that is deeply spiritual, but that is not captive to the dominant religious impulses of the region.Young people have found a way around the control of information of repressive regimes by effectively using the Internet and especially social media. And if that's not spiritual, I don't know what is.
Posted by Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, on January 31, 2011 5:17 PM
Do Egyptians want both democracy and a role for religion in their government?
When it comes to the role of religion in politics, Americans and Egyptians are pretty well in agreement.
Posted by Reza Aslan, on January 30, 2011 10:31 PM
Egypt's pharaohs and living Exodus
Time to light our nonviolent sparks.
Posted by Arthur Waskow, on January 30, 2011 3:26 PM
Change in Egypt will change the region
This is a pivotal moment in the current history of the Arab World. If Egypt is transformed, it will transform the region.
Posted by Muqtedar Khan, on January 30, 2011 12:48 PM
