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THE QUESTION
U.S. in Afghanistan
Eight years after the U.S. attacked Afghanistan, fighting continues. Religious extremists in the Taliban and al-Qaeda retain significant power there. What is our moral responsibility to the people of Afghanistan? If religion is part of the problem there, how can it be part of the solution?
Posted by
Sally Quinn and Jon Meacham on October 6, 2009 4:05 AM
FROM THE PANEL
Nothing Has Changed
There is clearly a significant force of extremists who have merged an ideology with some of the more incendiary paragraphs in the Qur'an. It is a volatile mix. Sadly, there is no religious solution.
Posted by Charles "Chuck" Colson, on October 8, 2009 12:23 PM
How is Moral Responsibility Determined?
We exacerbated the situation in Afghanistan and helped create the problem. Now it is our duty to try to help rectify it.
Posted by Ramdas Lamb, on October 7, 2009 2:52 PM
No Moral Obligation in Afghanistan
I wish we could leave Afghanistan. I wish we could find a way to deal with the Taliban and al-Qaeda without this war. Militarily, though, I think we have no choice. Morally, we have no voice.
Posted by Susan K. Smith, on October 7, 2009 1:59 PM
Our Mistakes Haunt Us In Afghanistan
In Afghanistan and Pakistan, pluralism is dead and buried. No modern society constructed on the foundation of religious law, Sharia in this case, ever avoided the trap of intolerance, persecution and hate.
Posted by Aseem Shukla, on October 7, 2009 1:58 PM
An Example of How Islam Can Help Afghanistan
We will no doubt make far more strides toward democracy, personal dignity, and basic civil and human rights for Afghani citizens by helping people like Edhi than we will fighting the Taliban.
Posted by Pamela K. Taylor, on October 7, 2009 8:51 AM
Religion Must Be Part of Afghan Solution
We must understand that Islam itself is not the enemy - only the misguided interpretation of Islam on one hand and the incomplete application of its principles that has led to corruption and insecurity on the other.
Posted by Feisal Abdul Rauf, on October 6, 2009 11:51 PM
Good Religion Gone Bad
Good religion rightly applied is likely the only long-term solution to the intractable conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere. Even if good religion grinds too slowly for most of us, it is far superior to religion gone bad.
Posted by Robert Parham, on October 6, 2009 8:54 AM
Our Real Obligation to Afghanistan
If we really desire freedom for the people of Afghanistan, we will not make the same mistakes, but defend the rights and dignity of the oppressed and respect the rights of the Afghani people to govern themselves.
Posted by Matt Maher, on October 5, 2009 10:37 PM
Theocracy: Always a Problem, Never a Solution
I'm pessimistic about a positive outcome in Afghanistan without a fundamental separation of religion from government. There has never been a theocracy that resulted in a decent standard of living for its citizens, or where minorities were treated with both tolerance and respect.
Posted by Herb Silverman, on October 5, 2009 7:45 PM
Religious Problems Demand Religious Solutions
Religion will be part of the solution in Afghanistan when those who call themselves religious have a vision of the world which accords full dignity and equality to all people, regardless of the faith they follow, including no faith at all.
Posted by Brad Hirschfield, on October 5, 2009 5:11 PM
A Muslim Faith-Based Initiative
Instead of relying on bullets and an occupying army to undercut al-Qaeda, try fostering Muslim religious piety.
Posted by Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo, on October 5, 2009 11:36 AM
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