Re: There is no SUCH Thing as ORTHODOX MUSLIM
my point is that the foreign origin of a term does not mean that the term has no meaning (and if it has meaning it is a valid term). I agree that Orthodox and fundamentalist Muslim both are terms of western origin (after all we're talking in english) but that doesnt mean they dont have meaning in "zabaan e aam".
Your idea of just using the term practicing Muslim or Muslim for everyone is something I dont agree with. There is no harm in admitting to differences while sharing a common identity, a shafii and a barelvi and a maturidi are all practicing Muslims, and by no means the same. If we are to be able to talk about differences, we need descriptive terms that dont automatically divide people into Muslims and non Muslims.
On the other hand, I sort of agree with the spirit of your post. Orthodox and Fundamentalist are both tainted by their association with the intolerance and brutality that has been Fundamentalist/Orthodoxy Christianity (not sure if the Pope likes to be called orthodox tho). Therefore "Fundamentalist" Muslim has negative meaning, whereas there is nothing bad in wanting to return to the Fundamentals of Islam.
Exactly...on your last note may I add, it is actually our duty as muslims to return to the roots/fundamentals and apply islam as originally as we can, I mean by jurisprudence not literally, obviously if the rule is for twakul or reliance that you tie your camel first and then make tawakul then that means lock your car first then pray it doesn't get stolen...
So.......... thunbs down to orthodox....
I mean orthodontics (dental surgery) is a much better term lets all be dentists.. :)
another point though, a minor one maybe...the urdu translation of Orthodox (as you pinted out we are using english) is even worse as it is "Duq-ya-nusi"
which really means backward. And history shows it might pertain to the king named Duqyanus who ruled in the area where Ashab-ul-Kahf came from.
So the urdu meaning has bad connotations as well.
Thanks you for a respectable discussion ....so rare on this forum....