Society & Disassociation: Islam in Egypt

...is the title of my last paper of the quarter. It's a shoddy job - few citations, etc, not revised - for a great professor. Sullivan places more value on the content than the form, and it's an informal class. He had us write this paper since he had to have something to grade us on. Anyway, I'd never make my blog following wade through this third-rate paper (1,800 words), but I will post part of the conclusion that isn't really connected to the rest of the paper.

I was once instructed that a difference between Middle Eastern and European culture is a psychological idea called "Greek Dualism." The ancient Greeks studied philosophy earnestly, but often their beliefs and their lives did not synch up. That cultural trait can be seen in western Christianity, where most often your theology is the single most important factor in being considered "Christian" by others. In contrast, ancient Jewish and more recently Muslim believers do not attach nearly as much importance to theology, and tend to look at other factors as more important measures of someone's religion. This removes a level of hypocrisy present in all Western belief systems (from pastors who embezzle to environmentalists who drive SUV's), but conversely it also tends to dilute theology in Islam and Judaism. Thus, it can be said that revivalist Muslims, whether Wahhabis or modern militants, have a more Western view of religion. Rather than combating the West, those who push for strictly interpreted theology may in fact be embracing a Western foundation.