Reply #25: Yup.

[TahitiNut]

Insofar as "impose" however, it's difficult to see how much of an imposition it is since the cultural history is one of ebb-and-flow of religious doctrine interrupted by invasions and occupations. These are cultures wherein theocracy has far more prevalent popular (i.e. secular) support than democracy. For anyone to take a side based on their own religious beliefs merely amplifies the use of theocratic motives. I find it very difficult to segregate my own spiritual beliefs from my preference for secular civil governance since such a segregation is, in itself, a part of my spiritual beliefs. Catch-22.

It's worth noting that religious schools are, by far, the most prevalent source of "public" education in Islamic countries. The culture doesn't make the same distinctions we do -- but that's inherent in Western religiosity, too. ("Render unto Caesar" and all that.)

Islam isn't unique in this respect. Consider Confucianism.