The argument of Islam being compared to a religion has come up quite frequently. I hope the last post defining Ideology will remove the vague understanding of Ideology. I would like to further clarify this by giving a brief description of the 3 Ideologies:
Communism - hold the IDEA there is NO god, and everything is matter, and Man, Life and universe is a part of this matter which is eternal. And that everything just takes shape of this matter. Hence in their view is a DR. and a Bus Conductor enjoy the same standrard of living, everything is CONTROLLED by the government, and the way the government reaches its ideal situation is by 'dilectics.'
Capitalism - holds the IDEA, there is a God, and HE has no influence on the running of man's affair (government) i.e. separation of Religion from life. Hence, they believe in 4 main freedoms;
Freedom of Belief - Man can believe that there is NO god, he can Believe that there are 100 gods, he can believe God is human, and the God is a woman/black. Man can believe Religion causes wars, can believe believers Bin Laden is a Hero/terrorist, and the Pope was sincere/corrupt
Freedom of Opinion - Man should be allowed to his opinion of having a relationship with a young boy, or his sister, or allow abortion at 8 months of pregnancy, allow Cocaine to be legal, Kids can own guns
Freedom of Ownership - Own rights to a rare plant of medicinal significance in a foreign land, preventing other pharmaceutical companies to use its properties. Can own Oil, Water (natural resources) and sell at whatever prices they feel are right.
Personal freedom - so man can act as he likes, however he desires, as long as he sees his happiness in that action. So he can cross dress, he can sell drugs, he can rape someone, he can lie/embezzle. (Point being if he is not caught there is NO accountability)
I.e. the ONLY people who will do good deeds are the ones who have good morals. But the Ideology, stresses more on freedoms, than morals.
Islam - Holds the IDEA there is a God, who knows man better than himself, and this God has provided us with a code of conduct, i.e. a sysyetm, which is based on a constitution i.e. the Quran. Hence Man will submit to His (God's) commands in ALL his actions. So, my heart MAY HATE George Bush, but, if he was a P.O.W I have strict guidelines from God how he should be treated. My heart may desire another man's wife, but I have to abide by God's orders. I may own land on a coal/gold/oil deposit and can not use it for personal gain (i.e. sell to foreign powers). I may want to degrade/kill all non muslims, but am restricted by God's command. Simlarly, I may want to forgive the adulterer, or the thief [keeping in mind the conditions for punishments have been met], but by the rulings, the culprit has to be punished, even if he/she is related to me. (Point being FULL submission) Cause the heart may desire something that is not fit for the society at large.
The problem here is, and hence the discussion, that many from the West, who hold on to the alluring notion of "Freedom", how do/will they percieve the Caliphate. Is it just a group of Mad Mullah who have their own interpretation of Islam, and Impose it on others, or is it "an" alternative to the current decadence that all societies are facing. Can it truly survive in the 21st century. I would like to refer you to this article, called Ijtihad: Applying Islam in the 21st century.
http://www.newcivilisation.com/index...rticle/23/P0/5