March 3, 2008
What Do Muslims Think?
Between 2001 and 2007, the Gallup Organization conducted more than 50,000 hour-long, face-to-face interviews with residents of more than 40 nations that are predominantly Muslim or have substantial Muslim populations. That titanic undertaking is being billed as the largest, most comprehensive polling/study of Muslims ever done.
The results are being published this month in a book co-authored by John Esposito, the prominent professor of Islamic studies at Georgetown University. In a post at the Social Science Research Council's Immanent Frame blog, Esposito provides an outline of the survey's most significant findings.
Esposito reports that 7 percent of respondents fall under the rubric of politically radicalized, meaning that they believe the 9/11 attacks were completely justified. Perhaps surprisingly, the politically radicalized are not more religious than moderates, and they are typically more educated and more affluent. The radicals are also, on average, "more optimistic about their personal future than moderates, more optimistic about their own lives."
Another key findings that Esposito touts is the fact that animosity towards the West is not spread evenly across individual Western countries. "Unfavorable opinions of the United States or Great Britain do not preclude a favorable attitude toward other Western countries such as France or Germany. Across all predominantly Muslim countries polled, an average of 75 percent associate 'ruthless' with the United States (in contrast to only 13 percent for France and 13 percent for Germany)," Esposito writes.
In a topic that has been the source of great debate in Europe recently, the Gallup study found that "majorities in most countries, with the exception of a handful of nations, want Shariah as at least 'a' source of legislation." In terms of political arrangements the desired Muslim model is, according to Esposito, neither a theocracy nor a secular democracy but some third way that integrates faith and democratic values. The post is rather flimsy on the details of what this might entail, though that might owe to the fact that definitions of Shariah can very widely.
And finally, on the issue of how the West can improve relations with the Muslim world, respondents consistently answered with a request for more respect as well as more assistance with technology, jobs and economic development.
Evan Goldstein | Posted on Monday March 3, 2008 | PermalinkComments
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Muslims’ desire to see sharia as a significant factor in legislation is no different than legislation that conforms to Judeo-Christian mores. Today, the fervent Christians want legislation to ban homosexual marriage and abortion, the heart of which are set in Biblical background. Until recently, the Irish constitution forbade divorce, a reflection of Jesus’s law. The Ten Commandments—a Jewish product—-are carved upon the walls of the Surpreme Court. The list goes on and on, so Muslims wanting Sharia shouldn’t surprise anyone. It will be the secular challenge to keep yet another fundamental sect from invading our liberties with their religious mumbo-jumbo applied to our private lives.
— marci Mar 3, 01:20 PM #
I second Marci’s comments, with the observation that the Muslim grasp of Shariah law can be just as vague as the Christian understanding of what constitutes “law.” For example, I have yet to encounter a Christian opposed to homosexual marriage (and of course homosexual anything else) who didn’t think he or she was following Jesus’ teachings. These folks are startled to learn that Jesus evidently had other things on his mind, since according to the gospels he never got around to the subject. Of course, once they take a look, they fall back on Romans, Corinthians, Timothy, etc., but are hard put to explain how one confuses Paul the Apostle aka Saul of Tarsus with Jesus of Nazareth. Personally, I find it hard to respect any form of religion that uses belief as an excuse to avoid thought. Oh, well.
— Dan Kirklin Mar 3, 03:34 PM #
And finally, on the issue of how the West can improve relations with the Muslim world, respondents consistently answered with a request for more respect as well as more assistance with technology, jobs and economic development.
Well, that about sums it up – despite their diatribe against all things Western, what the radicalized Muslims really want is for us to give them jobs, technology, and security so that they don’t have to bother with developing their own jobs, technology, and security…
— A.P.Sloan Mar 3, 03:57 PM #
Take heart, Marci. An article in the March issue of the Atlantic Monthly (“And the winner is…”, by Alan Wolfe) describes how secularism is gaining adherents, even among the religious. (http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200803/secularism). I believe a subscription is required to view the article online.
— Tracy G. Mar 3, 05:13 PM #
Marci’s point is interesting but one crucial fact is skewed. The Ten Commandments are not carved on the walls of the Supreme Court. In fact, Moses and Mohammed face each other across the courtroom. Both are there among a large group of historical law givers or interpreters. In a way, the building is a “temple to the law” and representations of religious leaders are present only in reference to that purpose.
— Charles Cureton Mar 3, 05:18 PM #
They support Obama.
— james oakley Mar 3, 05:38 PM #
Charles,
Not to put too fine a point on my crucial skewances, but the Ten Commandments are represented thrice, including once in a frieze of Moses holding the tablets, and another as just the tablets (with Roman numerals I thru X) carved into a chamber door.
— marci Mar 3, 06:33 PM #
James Oakley’s comment is irrelevant and has nothing to do with the article here. Consider it a honour – I am dignifying your thoughts by responding to it.
— james o Mar 4, 11:18 AM #
its too bad that such a large body of useful information is being handled by esposito. i dont trust a thing he says. i hope someone else takes a look at the data as well.
— sam Mar 5, 04:04 AM #