Would secularization of the region bring hopes of peace for the Middle East?

1. 60

   PierAllegroposted 13 years ago

   Would secularization of the region bring hopes of peace for the Middle East?
   
   While fights for the preservation of human dignity in the Middle East begin  to bring some positive results, many questions concerning the future of the region rise.

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2. 60

   Tim Passmoreposted 12 years ago

   Almost certainly not. Much of the conflict in Middle Eastern countries over recent years has been a direct result of marginalized religious groups, suppressed by socialist governments such as in Egypt and Iraq. Additionally, the rise in terrorism is at least partially linked to the secularization of large parts of society and the resulting sense of religious groups and culture being pushed aside or held back. Secularization would most likely further radicalize individuals who feel their religious traditions are already suppressed beyond an acceptable level.
   
   The Middle Eastern countries need to embrace religion as part of their political process rather than attempt to separate the two as is the case in the US. Only when the voices of extreme religious groups and parties is heard will their use of violence show any signs of ceasing.

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3. 60

   PierAllegroposted 12 years ago

   It is the religious system in the region that keeps monorachs in power The fortunate ones (the monarchs) leave over enough for their subject to be content to eat what fell  of the royal plate (the KSA); the less fortunate ones need to resort to tanks (Bahrain). A religion rests in the heart of the Arab-Israeli conflict. When I said seculrization I meant the Jews givining up on the zionist claims and the Islamists on theirs. I'm not sure if you agree.

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4. 88

   Doc Snowposted 12 years ago

   Does it matter?  Secularization isn't going to happen in the foreseeable future, anyway.  Israel wants to preserve its identity as a Jewish state, and its Ultra-Orthodox minority has outsized influence as it is.  And in most of the other states in the Middle East we see a rise in Islamism.
   
   And if we could magically secularize somehow, I'm not convinced that it would make a big difference--tribalism and nationalism are a big factor now, and might well be more than enough to maintain the antagonism even without assistance from religious zealotry.

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