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| Indonesia: 'Philosophy can defeat Islamic fundamentalism' |
| 2007-10-18 |
| Jakarta, 18 October (AKI) - One of Indonesia’s leading advocates of inter-religious dialogue has singled out philosophy and humanitarian studies as the best way to fight rising Islamic fundamentalism. Catholic priest, and leading academic Franz Magnis-Suseno, said it is vital to include Muslims in the philosophical debate, because it will make them see Islam in a different light. “We need people who can think critically and all-embracingly – in short, we need philosophers,” he told the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). It isn't a Muslim calling for reasonn in faith. And that Regensburg Address still has power. The German-born cleric added: “It is a matter of having the courage to learn how to think.” A long-standing Indonesian citizen, he teaches philosophy at the Catholic University of Jakarta. Magnis-Suseno claimed many Muslims who study natural sciences tend to develop an inferiority complex, and often develop fundamentalist views in reaction to the perceived superiority of the Western world. “But Muslims who study philosophy and the humanities tend to have a broader outlook,” he said, warning against the trend to cut these studies. “This could add to the surge in Islamic fundamentalism.” Somewhat surprisingly, most of the Islamic fundamentalists in Indonesia have studied in state universities, he noted. Magnis-Suseno said that relations between Muslims and Christians in Indonesia have improved considerably, despite occasional attacks on Christian churches. More than 85 percent of Indonesia's 240 million people are Muslim, making the country is the most populous Muslim country in the world. Christians make up just 9 percent of the population, and the remaining 4 percent are Hindus, Buddhists or members of tribal religions. Most of the population follows a moderate version of Islam, although there has been an increased tendency towards radicalism in recent years. In Indonesia, it is illegal to be atheist or to abandon Islam in favour of another faith. |
| Posted by:mrp |
| #15 TOPIX > TIMESONLINE.UK > A GREAT PLACE TO BE ANTI-AMERICAN. USA - SAFE PLACE TO BE SAME Amer's reputation, prestige, and credibility is being positively restored and enhanced before the World thanx mainly to those Amers whom hate and wanna kill it, plus hate Dubya. |
| Posted by: JosephMendiola 2007-10-18 22:20 |
| #14 "You can't reason someone out of something that they weren't resoned into in the first place." "But Muslims who study philosophy and the humanities ..." are apostates and should be killed. "...Christians in Indonesia have improved considerably, despite occasional attacks on Christian churches." Other than that Mrs. Lincoln wasn't the show grand? "It is a matter of having the courage to learn how to think.” And he's going to find corageous Muslims where? |
| Posted by: AlanC 2007-10-18 20:34 |
| #13 Didn't say the man doesn't have guts or wasn't well intentioned. The problem isn't with him, it's with those he seems to think he can deal with and the results he thinks he can achieve. Count me as extremely dubious on both counts... |
| Posted by: tu3031 2007-10-18 19:13 |
| #12 mrp, you can't reason into something that does not have the adequate processing synapses to begin with. You miss to develop reasoning skills betwen ages of 5 and 16, and no matter what kind of Nürnberg Fennel you use, you can't pour it in. Ca you find 1000 |
| Posted by: twobyfour 2007-10-18 18:38 |
| #11 No, Fr. Magnis-Suseno is neither a dhimmi nor is he a naif. His point, I believe, is well taken: "It is a matter of having the courage to learn how to think.” That is a most proper and necessary response to the propagation of Salafist madrassahs around the world. The challenge of Reason is something that is sorely lacking in Islam. Frankly, Fr. Magnis-Suseno has more guts in his little finger than all the keyboard-tapping nihilists combined. |
| Posted by: mrp 2007-10-18 17:54 |
| #10 Just another Dhimmi. |
| Posted by: Icerigger 2007-10-18 17:29 |
| #9 “It is a matter of having the courage to learn how to think.” Which is why the radical left and Islamics have so much in common. They don't think. Hell, they won't even open up their eyes to see the great achievements of the the modern world around them were created and made possible by people not of their 'faith'. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2007-10-18 15:59 |
| #8 Catholic priest, and leading academic Franz Magnis-Suseno, said it is vital to include Muslims in the philosophical debate, because it will make them see Islam in a different light. is this guy naive or what? This could add to the surge in Islamic fundamentalism Surges in islamofacism come about from trying to appease them or doing nothing when the situation calls for jumping on them hard. They don't respect being nice. It seems like if you don't bust their a$$s they don't respect you. |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2007-10-18 15:42 |
| #7 Catholic priest, and leading academic Franz Magnis-Suseno, said it is vital to include Muslims in the philosophical debate, because it will make them see Islam in a different light. ...or they might decide the world needs one less infidel priest. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2007-10-18 15:23 |
| #6 One of IndonesiaÂ’s leading advocates of inter-religious dialogue has singled out philosophy and humanitarian studies as the best way to fight rising Islamic fundamentalism. If by "philosophy and humanitarian studies", he means "extensive use of saturation bombing and tactical nuclear weapons", then I couldn't agree with him more. Magnis-Suseno claimed many Muslims who study natural sciences tend to develop an inferiority complex What's this "develop", horse hockey? They're frickin' born with it. In Indonesia, it is illegal to be atheist or to abandon Islam in favour of another faith. Shari'a law at work. This is just one more excellent reason to halt all aid and disaster relief to Indonesia. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2007-10-18 15:21 |
| #5 Bombs and bullets also can defeat Islamic fundamentalism. |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2007-10-18 15:12 |
| #4 Sounds like a wise man. I hope they don't kill him. Magnis-Suseno claimed many Muslims who study natural sciences tend to develop an inferiority complex, and often develop fundamentalist views in reaction to the perceived superiority of the Western world. Could this explain the Paki doctors going all jihadi in the UK? |
| Posted by: Ebbang Uluque6305 2007-10-18 14:57 |
| #3 Oh bullshit. Vlad had better ideas. |
| Posted by: Icerigger 2007-10-18 14:39 |
| #2 Reason is 100% antithetical to islam. Might as well piss up a rope. JDAMs seem to work well, though... |
| Posted by: M. Murcek 2007-10-18 14:36 |
| #1 Ideology counts---when it does the counting with a sword Christopher Anvil |
| Posted by: gromgoru 2007-10-18 14:34 |