Never the Twain
We're trying to understand why these two societies are so very different. It's hard to achieve a real understanding of the vast differences in attitudes and expectations between the world of Islam and what is so commonly referred to as the Western world, that other world of secular governance, civil society and religion of choice - or not.To most of us religion is an add-on, which is not to diminish its necessity in the lives of so many in the West. Most westerners are not defined by their religion. Although to many in the west religion may be the touchstone of their lives which informs their view of the world and their place in it, their sacred beliefs are not incompatible with the diversity of the population with whom they share their lives. We are inclined to be attuned to a way of life which values inclusiveness, we agree on the value of emancipation and civic duties along with general entitlements. We tend to agree on a voluntary basis, we are not compelled to respect one another, other than by our innate sense of justice.
We offer small civil courtesies to one another. We obey laws meant to protect both the minorities among us and the greater population with a common background. We respect alternate heritages and customs, and are even curious about becoming semi-knowledgeable about differences between us. We generally agree that we are a more vigorous society because of our differences, our adaptability, our willingness to be accepting, and to learn from one another. We tend not to discuss religious differences, just accept that they are there.
Yet we are often too casual about social custom and mores, to the detriment at times of the greater good. We're willing to make trade-offs to live with in civil peace with one another. We are willing to see a diminishment of what the majority hold as having great value in our society, in favour of inclusiveness, to enable a minority to share customs otherwise denied them. We are tolerant, often to a fault.
Throughout the Muslim world we see a people whose sensibilities and sensitivities are informed irredeemiably from cradle to grave by a strict and utter fealty to a spiritual concept which their preoccupation with precludes a wider contemplation of the world outside Islam. Islamic law rules very aspect of their lives, from the mundane to the sublime. There can be no deviation from the path of righteous worship in the supreme divinity of Allah. To do his bidding is to fulfill one's path in life. Through such relentless exposure and acceptance one's ability to absorb new experiences and to formulate and accept new ideas become truncated, the mind becomes static, closed. The frequency of prayers throughout the day were designed in a medieval world to ensure that thoughts did not stray from those of the Prophet's teachings.
The transcendent belief in Allah, and the veneration of Muhammad as the divine messenger of god remains the guiding light for Muslims throughout the world, encouraging them to eschew participation in the modern world, and at the same time enabling autocratic rulers to wield power over the unquestioning masses. Imams and Mullahs as intermediaries to Allah's wishes enjoy the respect of huge masses of fervid believers; they have greater power over peoples' minds and allegiances than the States in which they live which invariably oppress them.
Muslims react as an unreasoning mass, or so it seems to us. They are easily aroused, impassioned and fiery in their condemnation of any who would assume to question the existence of Allah or the value of their beliefs. Any slur upon any of the tenets of their faith, let alone upon their god or their holy messenger is received as an unbearable outrage. And the fury thus unleashed is often deadly in its execution. Beware.
posted by Pieface @ Thursday, February 09, 2006
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