CONSERVATIVE MONITOR: Do you see any parallels between Christian fundamentalism in the US and Moslem fundamentalism in say Egypt?
ANTHONY J DENNIS: No, and I think it's unfortunate that the two movements are lumped together. That word "fundamentalist" is something we're stuck with because it has been so widely used by journalists and academicians alike in describing both groups. I use the term in my book and in my public appearances because it's a commonly accepted term for describing these radical, stridently Muslim groups I've chosen to focus on. Unfortunately, we also speak in this country about "fundamentalist Christian groups" as well but there is absolutely NO MORAL EQUIVALENCY between the two groups. There is a world of moral difference between what the politically active Christian groups hope to achieve and the methods they are willing to use in reaching their political objectives and what the fundamentalist Muslims hope to achieve and the means they are morally willing to use in achieving their objectives. To cite just one example out of many, we don't execute, torture or imprison people we disagree with in this country and I know of no mainstream fundamentalist Christian group which would advocate such persecution. In contrast, the fundamentalist Muslims advocate and practice on a huge scale the systematic torture, persecution, imprisonment and even execution of non-Muslim groups especially Bahai's and Christians. And political dissidents get the same treatment. It's a capital offense to convert voluntarily from Islam to Christianity in Iran and other places or even to translate the Bible into Farsi in Iran. And of course, the Sudanese Government which is a close ally with Iran and is staunchly fundamentalist has practiced the enslavement of Christian children and the forcible conversion of their parents with torture and death awaiting those who don't convert. What has gone on in terms of human rights abuses inside these countries is truly mind boggling. And these governments make no bones about it. They go right on handing out death sentences for political opponents or Christian believers in Iran who don't convert or stop their proselytizing.
The willingness to use terrorism and kill innocent tourists and civilians is another big distinction between fundamentalist Muslims and so-called fundamentalist Christians. Fundamentalist Christian groups like the Christian Coalition or the Promise Keepers don't advocate terrorism. The 'calling card' of fundamentalist Islam, on the other hand, is quite often a bloody act of terrorism.
Interview is continued on next page.
Anthony Dennis is one of the nations foremost authorities on Muslim Nationalism. His book, "The Rise of the Islamic Empire and the Threat to the West", is generally accepted as a landmark study. He has been invited twice to appear as a guest on national conservative media pundit John McLaughlin's show "One On One with John McLaughlin". He is a frequent guest on radio talk shows. Mr. Dennis was also called to give expert testimony before the Senate Committee of Foreign Relations. In this month's interview, Mr. Dennis discusses current events in the Middle East and the long range ramifications of Islamic Nationalism for the United States.
