Eric McBride Response for Dr. Khan

Dr. Khan's lecture was informative and interesting. The relationship between Islam and Judaism has been quite an interesting one throughout the ages and at present. I am not sure if I accept that idea that this relationship is asymmetric. Religion is not a software program that can be debugged and upgraded. Whole belief systems and ways of life are based on the fundamentals of religion and I feel that describing the relationship as asymmetric undermines its importance. The fact that Islam chronologically developed after Judaism and incorporated its choices of Judaism's teachings is misrepresented by this term. 

Dr. Khan's recognition of the fundamental connection between politics and theology is important to note. While we do have the "myth of secularism" in the West, this allows us to avoid a defined religious majority and helps us to work around religious differences and divides within the polity. Religion can and should have a role in the choices of our leaders, but secular government exists because religion should be a private choice, not a state action. The fact that the connection between theology and politics is real and open in the Muslim world is somewhat disturbing. I realize that this can have positive or negative consequences, but when a religious leader controls a state, those in the religious minority are put at risk politically. 

Finally, Dr. Khan's use of religious texts to promote a both a positive and negative relationship between Judaism and Islam showed the power of these texts and persons who interpret them. I liked how he showed that one can find what they are looking for either way, but this also shows that one should be very careful when basing decisions on texts. I hope to learn more about this at the lecture "An Imam and a Rabbi" tonight and that I will see some of you there!