Fundamentalism and Fanaticism in Any Religion is Dangerous
22nd January 2005
I succumbed to the temptation of reading One Hand Clapping from JollyBlogger’s recommendation after having told myself that I will not waste my time on that site. I lost respect for him when he failed to engage his commenters after making what I thought were arrogant, irresponsible and unfounded remarks about the moral superiority of the West. This time Sensing argues that Islam is conducting a sinister crusade against the West, Christians and Jews and I can’t help but respond.
After quoting from some Islamic cleric, he cited twelve reasons why Islam opposes democracy, and since President Bush declares in his inaugual speech that his new term’s agenda is that of promoting freedom and erradicating tyrany around the world, this puts Islam and America on a raging collision course.
Jollyblogger believes his arguments to be convincing but I would like to add a few words of caution. Let us have a look at the twelve points:
Leaders in Islamic societies are to be chosen based on their religious credentials alone. But elections “eliminate these prerequisites.” The role of leaders in Islamic societies is to implement the laws of Allah, not laws made by human beings, which is what Jews and Christians do. Legitimacy comes not from elections but from the laws of Allah. To think otherwise is idolatry, “the idolatry of democracy.” In democracy everyone is equal, however the laws of Allah do not. Rules for enfranchisement in a democracy include no assessment of piety, but are instead arbitrary. Any Muslim participating in an election or democracy becomes an infidel. Anyone establishing a constitution based on “garbage from infidel ideologies becomes even more of an infidel.” Democracy is a trick used by Jews and Christians to deceive the people.
There are really two problems here. First, the President seems to understand that God is on the side of America and Western democracy. His determination to advance freedom abroad and eradicate tyranny around the globe, he believes is given to him by divine mandate and legitimized by popular support. He believes that this is the most prudent course to take in order to secure for America it’s coveted liberty and long-term national security. Second, there is a confusion in the rhetoric that Islam is fundamentally opposed to modernity’s quest for freedom. Such rhetoric only fans an unfortunate flame that, if Christians buy into it, will subvert the true mission of the church.
While I do not doubt that Islam has within its religion, and its scriptures, references that are suspiciously alarming to the West, the same can be said for fundamentalist Christian religion and Christian texts, read out of its context, to those outside the faith. It is tempting for us we read some Islamic leaders rallying their followers to vigorously contend with those who oppose their holy faith and assume that every Muslim in the world and every Islamic country buys into this propaganda. Let us also not forget that fundamentalist Islaimic fanatics who read into the rhetoric of both the President and those who support the idea that Islam is the fundamental evil that is opposed to democracy and the historic Judeo-Chrisitan faiths, might also be alarmed by what they assume is our malevolent intent towards their religion. It is just amazing that after having endured the idiocy of bigotry and facisms in recent history of the world, cross-cultural misunderstanding is as rampant as it is today.
Try this exercise. In each of the above point arguing why Islam is so opposed to America and its fundamental principles, try replacing “Allah” with God and references to Islam to fundamentalist Christian religion, and you find that nearly every one of the points above might be made by a fundamentalist Christian in highlighting the fact that modernity is at cross-purposes with the religion of the Bible. I believe an Islamic alarmist could very well search through the texts and speeches of fundamentalist Christians and paint the same picture that Donald is painting about Islam.
As Christians, I believe we need to hold our patriotism and our modernity at a healthy arm’s length. We need to understand and embrace the gospel message and the ministry of reconciliation to which God has called us. If we do not separate the fanatical Islamic minority from the general Muslim population, and if we do not separate our Westernism and nationalism from our Christian calling, we will all fall headlong into an inevitable apocalyptic end that both sides seem to be heralding. Prophetic fulfillments aside, aren’t Christians supposed to be occupied with more urgent tasks?
Popularity: 2% [?]
January 22nd, 2005 at 7:41 pm
I’m new to blogging, and I’ve been looking around at other blogs to see what people are doing. It’s nice to find someone else who’s a Christian. Any tips you could give me would be welcome! Thanks!
January 22nd, 2005 at 11:57 pm
Hi Tom,
Welcome! I was tentative when I first started my blog, then I became ambitious, but once I started going, I found the blog took over - topics just came up. I did get inspiration and tips from others as well. I will find some posts that helped me and send you the links. Best wishes!
January 23rd, 2005 at 4:02 am
Bloke,
You make many brilliant observations in your post “Fundamentalism and Fanaticism in Any Religion is Dangerous” — its a joy to find someone else speaking out against extremism (Left, Right, Religious or Anti-Religious) — it’s like a cancer.
The fundamentalists and fanatics, as you point out, are a minority in our country and in Moslem countries but we can never loose sight of the very real danger that these reletively few extremists pose to our country and our way of life.
January 23rd, 2005 at 4:56 am
Thank you for showing that one can be a Christian and not a crusader.
As someone from the middle, I have realized one thing surfing blogs. There are more of us in the middle than there are on either side - far left or far right.
I know that sounds obvious, but there’s nothing like empirical evidence to strengthen the case. I’ll bet the entry you read, which sounds like it comes from an extreme, has lots and lots of comments. People get outraged when they read this far stuff. But moderate posts like this one will be happily accepted.
I guess what I’m saying is that more people, by far, agree with you than with him…
(*)>
January 23rd, 2005 at 9:02 am
Well said, although I disagree with the previous comment. I find very few Christians out there who aren’t with Mr. Bush. They would take us back into the 14th century if they can.
Good luck to you.
January 23rd, 2005 at 11:55 am
Great post! Yes, I wish every Christian Rightist would do the exercise you proposed…the one where the Islamic points are replaced by the terms “God” and “Christian.” It would be eye-opening to put it mildly…LOL.
January 27th, 2005 at 11:30 am
I wish every Christian Rightist would do the exercise you proposed
Excuse me?
When was the last time Christians flew planes into public buildings? The last time Christians blew up buses with kids in them? The last time Christians stoned a woman for letting more than her eyes show? And did so under the guise that God said it was good and just to do so?
This moral equivalence just rankles me. You see, there is no comparison between fundamental Islam and fundamental Christianity, unless you count the Inquisition and Crusades, and both happened centuries ago.
If you want to make a coherent argument about faults within Christianity today, then do so. And this comes from a lapsed Catholic. This particular post engages in sophistry.
When you see extremism on one particular side, why is it that the current knee-jerk reaction is to see extremism on another side? Does that excuse the extremism on either side? Especially when one extremism is more extreme than the other? Why is being “in the middle” some kind of virtue, instead of being a wishy-washy non-committal way of thinking?
Bloke,
What makes you think that fanatical Islamics constitute a minority? For example: please point out a large Muslim group in the Middle East that protests against fundamentalist Islam. How about a large Muslim group in the U.S. that protests against fundamentalist Islam? Yet there are many different views of Christianity, and Christians in this country don’t need to worry about being executed for their differing beliefs.
Sir, I believe it’s time to remove the rose-colored glasses. Idealism is great for some things, but not for this subject. It’s time to look at this issue from a more realistic standpoint.
TV (Harry)
January 27th, 2005 at 2:31 pm
Inspector, thanks for your input. I appreciate hearing from you and your opinions. Allow me to provide a different perspective, albeit, one that is limited to my own experience and opinions. Nonetheless, I believe it is a perspective that needs to be heard and be considered.
I happen to grow up in a pre-dominantly Muslim country (Malaysia) and I know that in that country there are the moderate muslim ruling party which is progressive and modern and tolerant, and where respect, goodwill and trust are fostered among people of different religions, ethnicity and cultures. There is also a minority fundamentalist group that is not as tolerant and they are politically active. Among that fundamentalist group there are also sub-groups including those that are pro-militant, although I don’t know any that are extremist like what we have experienced with the fanatics who bombed and kill others.
You are right. There have not been recently a Christian fundamentalist group that goes around flying into buildings etc. but there sure have been “Christian” fundamentalists who in the name of religion and God have lynched people based on race and other reasons, bombed clinics and bashed people out of hate, all in the name of God and religion.
It might be important to note that in the country that I grew up, Islamic fundamentalism wasn’t as strong and as popular, say 25 years ago than it is now. They even won an entire State election a couple elections ago, but the ruling pre-domninantly moderate party wrestled the state back, I believe, I have been away too long - you might want to ask Messy Christian that.
My point is, whether it is Christian, or Islamic, or whatever, fundamentalism and fanaticism is dangerous, and it is probably very unhelpful to paint with such a broad brush those from the Islamic faith. I believe if we go along this track, we will drift into the same extremist views that we accuse the muslims of having.
Please note, I am speaking not just as a citizen, but primarily as an ambassador of Christ. I believe God has called us to a higher calling and we can and do get entangled in a distrorted form of nationalism if we fail to realize that we who are God follwers are still called to love those who are sworn enemies of the faith, or of our country. And, in that light, we have to divorce the country that we live in and love, from the faith that we hold dear. Our “enemies” may lump the two together, but we must never, never forget that they are separate.