From: emremsia@sage.cc.purdue.edu (Emre Erkut)
Subject: Re: Ata-Turk - Trator or Ok dude?
Organization: Purdue University Computing Center
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1992 19:20:10 GMT

In article <1992Nov22.082059.25554@comp.lancs.ac.uk> ega029@comp.lancs.ac.uk (Lami Kaya) writes:
>In article <By0yK0.5AC@mentor.cc.purdue.edu> emremsia@sage.cc.purdue.edu (Emre Erkut) writes:
>
>>>Yes, most of the honest young Turks have been trying to find their
>>>original identity again, though there is an intensive discouraging
>>>campaigns against it.
>>
>>I guess you do not know much about the origins of Turks. Our origin is not
>>Islam but the Turkic identity itself. What makes some Turks resort to Islamic
>>life 100% is not necessarily honesty but desparation in other areas of life.
>					------------------------------------
>
>Dou you mean 70 year of Kemalism did not satitisfy the people of Turkey?, and
>now they are turning to somewhere else for salvation? 
>
>
>>>Some of his believers probably will tell that he saved the country
>>>but it is questionable. There was so many capable people to do that
>>
>>There are no 'believers' of Ataturk because he is not a religious
>>figure.
>>
>So could you explain What the Kemalism is/was ?
>
>>>
>>>1- He abolished the khilafe.
>>
>>By that time the khilafe had lost almost all his function and was
>>just a formal title.
>
>I agree it was not functioning properly, and there was many crimes
>commited in the name of khilafe. However, honestly can you explain
>why he abolished the khilafeth?
>
>>
>>>2- He disconnected all the relationships between muslims around the
>>>   world and Turkey.
>>
>>We are still in connection w/the rest of the Muslims.
>
>After isolation and many problems Turkey id not find a warm welcome
>from the west, then decided to turn back to muslim world. 
>
>> 
>>>5- Most of the children raised in Turkish schools have been
>>>   brainwashed against their islamic identity but pro-western.
>>>   Also, most of the Turks who are ignorant knows him as a hero
>>>   since they were thaught official history in the schools. They
>>>   believe that Turkish history started just 70 years ago, as if
>>>   they were dropped from moon!
>>
>>Currently Religion is a compulsory course in Turkish schools at grades 2
>>thru 11. Almost all the books contain 95% Islamic principles and beliefs,
>>which is natural since approximately the same percent of the country is
>>Islamic. However, if there is a brainwashing going on, it can only be
>>against other religions because they are not portrayed well enough in
>>the Religion books of the Ministry of Education.
>>
>
>The islamic education in Turkish schools is a secular religious education
>and not real islam. Because they could not stand in front of the upsurgence
>of islamic identity and awareness they invented a "state controlled, and
>harmless to secular" version of islam. Many muslims will not regard the
>education given in schools as "Religion of Allah" All the so called
>islamic text books published by the Ministery of Education for schools
>have a large and beautiful picture of AtaTURK on the cover.
>
>
>>>8- After getting the power, he always tried to discredit islam
>>>   although he had known a good muslim during the independence war.
>>>   (This helps to explain some claims made against him)
>>
>>There are no samples of his actions or words proving, or even suggesting,
>>a discrediting attitude towards Islam. He might not be totally Islamic
>>in his behaviour and attitudes ( for instance everyone knows he never
>>bent down and prayed ) but there is no record showing his dissent
>>against Islam. On the contrary, he recommended Islam for the Turkish
>>people. 
>
>If whay you say is correct, why all "muslims" dislike him? Or do 
>not talk about his "relolution" with great admiration. There should
>be a reason, come on hit the point.
>
>Lami
>
>>
>>Emre Erkut
>>Krannert School, Purdue
>>Turkish Education Foundation 1992 Overseas Scholar
>>.
>>   

My comments:

	1.	Ethics of using common networks requires not getting personal
    		in messages. No one can tell me not to talk about his
		REVOLUTION with admiration. If you get personal, you invite
		others to be personal, too, and in a very short period of
		time this can generate a huge wave of insults. So, please.

	2.	It's a pity that the Turkish Republic is being 'represented'
		abroad by people who favor Islam over everything.

	3.	Ethics of using common networks requires being objective, too.
		And any biased message is bound to be subjective.

Emre Erkut
Krannert-Purdue
Turkish Education Foundation 1992 Overseas Scholar.