[lbo-talk] Tariq Ramadan and Islamic Socialism

[BklynMagus]

> The question is whether secular leftists are prepared
to work with people, not just intellectuals like Ramadan, 
who are very progressive on some issues -- e.g., 
economy, immigrant rights, international equality, and 
so on -- but genuinely conservative on others -- e.g., 
sex, gender, and sexuality -- when it comes to Muslims, 
not just Catholics, toward common goals we do share, 
even while continuing to debate points of disagreement 
honestly.

But how effective can such collaborations be?  At some 
point the ways in which various oppressions intermix 
and support each other has to be addressed.

If Ramadan and others see some oppressions as merited, 
there is a limit to what can be accomplished.  Some 
religious people can be worked with, but some take 
themselves out of the running by the dogma to which they 
adhere.  To paraphrase the good doctor: "Quid pro quo, 
Tariq."

Brian