Overview
Read pages 172--182 Khaled Abou El Fadl: Islam and Democracy
Answer all reading and critical questions: Reading Questions:
Why is democracy a formidable challenge for Islam?
What three values are socially and politically central to Muslim polity (a government or political organization)?
- Put into your own words Abou El Fadel’s “provisional case” for the compatibility of Islam and democracy.
- Why, according to Abou El Fadl, does an “authoritarian view” denigrate God’s sovereignty?
- What is the most “formidable challenge” to Abou El Fadl’s argument, and how does he respond to it?
- Critical Questions:
- Do you find Abou El Fadl’s argument Convincing? Why, or why not?
Is democracy compatible with Christianity? Why, or why not?