Islamic Intellectualism

Islamic Intellectualism looks like it would make a fascinating book. Skimming through the two pager, however, you eventually fall on a fatal conclusion.

"Twelfth Assumption: "Islam will become the dominant religion of the 21st century. If my first eleven assumptions are correct, my final assumtpion is that, Allah willing, thanks to the efforts of Muslim intellectuals, Islam may well become the dominant religion of the 21st century, at least in North America and parts of Europe, with enormous repercussions for the rest of the globe."

Islam's role in the 21st century aside, it's not likely Islam will get any considerable foothold in the US. That is to say, the US is reflexively anti-intellectual and has a strong, cross-ideological support for a separation between church and state.

How strong is ant-intellectualism in the US? Ask yourself this question. You are a production plant owner. You are retiring and need to appoint a successor. Two applicants - a foreman from a similar production plant in another state with little to no post-secondary education or a business management professor of 25 years from the town university. Regardless of how you decide, did you just get an image of a stuffy academic type who studies economic models, but hasn't turned a wrench in 25 years? And does that give you more apprehension than the forman's inability to quote Adam Smith?

I just don't see how Islam can make such deep inroads when American culture is more influencial around the world. I'm no fool to history. I know of Islam's history of rapid expansion. So, I'm aware I could be speaking with blind exceptionalism.

It just seems like Hoffman's engaged in wishful thinking. Battling anti-intellectualism, maintaining a unique Islamic culture even as young Muslims wear Nikes and watch Hollywood's movies, and assuaging American skepticism regarding policies with subtle religious overtones (abortion, for example) is a tall order.

Hoffman may find the opposite to be true. If the grand "neo-con experiment" is successful and representaive government spreads in the Islamic world, there won't be enough tension to fuel the need for expansion. Unless I'm missing something, other nations with democracies (general sense) are careful with any pressure toward the US or don't attempt it at all.

Europe? Olde Europe will be Islamic before you can blink. I don't think they have the intellectual strength to preserve their heritage. Nothing wrong with an Islamic society. I'm just stating I don't get the impression Europeans have the means to stop a booming Muslim population and the inevitable ramifications. Christianity and Judaism have, after bloody measures, developed into complementary or secondary value systems. Not entirely certain a predominantly Muslim nation could hold laws contrary to the Muslim faith (same sex marriage, for example).