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Quote by: The Decider  The founder of modern Turkey, Kemal Ataturk, was an officer in the Ottoman Army and a supporter of the infamous Committee of Union and Progress that organized the Armenian genocide. Turkey's military descends from mass murderers. Is it surprising that Ataturk, the father of Turkish secularism, admired Adolf Hitler? Secularism and fascism were bosom buddies in recent world history.
Ah, pure secularism! The military controls Turkey's mosques and schools (and Christian churches too)! Just like in America---government controlled churches and Sunday schools! Yep---"seperation of church and state!"
Huh? This comment makes no sense. The "constitutional system" that keeps Turkey out of the EU is the one dominated by the military!! You know, the "secularists" who control mosques, churches, and religious schools. The same military that invaded and still occupies eastern Cyprus. The EU refuses to accept a military dictatorship into its organization; hence, the EU has condemned this recent military interference in Turkey's democracy.
Economically, Turkey has improved over the past five years under the current government. They want less militarism. No wonder the military is so upset; they may have to serve civilian masters....perish the thought!
It's personal attire! Gul opposes legislation to mandate hijab for Turkey's women. He's said so repeatedly. The military is using his wife's fashion choice to construct a slippery slope argument for a military coup--"Today Mrs. Gul's hijab, tomorrow your daughters!" The EU rejects that argument, why can't you Bobby O? |
Turkey is not a millitary dictatorship (though it certainly can and has been)- nor do they not have to serve an elected civilian leadership. But Turkey's millitary has a constitutional role in preserving the secular, non-fundamentalist state against internal threats from those who would seek to reverse this course. The EU doesn't like this constitutional arrangement. Fine. But this does place Turkey in a tough spot as Erdogan, Gul et. al ARE Islamic fundamentalists- and the problem they present for Turkey is real (though debateable as to what extent, as Gul et. al. were elected only because the secular parties split).
Its gratifying to read though your agreement that "fascism" and "secularism" are closely intertwined, as it is usually argued that "fascism" and "religious fundamentalism" are the blood brothers.
Turkey has never claimed to represent a "separation of church and state" which in any event would never reach the levels seen in the USA (for the simple reason that Europe's "separation of church and state" itself is nowhere near as "separate" as the USA).
The EU ought to be encouraging Turkey to continue to move toward western values (as far as Turkey can). It should not encourage movements within Turkey who clearly do not have it, even if they feign that they do.