The Peace In Islam
Rather hard to distinguish from the anger we so often see manifested in those who cling feverishly to Islamic principles that derive from their mangled sensibilities. There's little doubt that the greater Muslim community who claim Islam is a religion of peace believe that to be so. For them Islam represents peace, and its precepts call its followers to that belief, and to exert themselves on behalf of peace.Yet their holy book is itself a conundrum, a compilation of injunctions to surrender to all that is holy, a reminder of piety - and yet also there remain the temporal reminders of violence inherent in human exchanges. Seems to the uninitiated like a truly conflicted message. Surrender to the will of an imperious yet loving holy spirit. Struggle interpreted as jihad, interpreted as violence against perceived oppressors.
As a religion designed for adoption and adaptation by a largely nomadic, Bedouin society, later enlarged to include greater numbers of tribal hierarchies, tailor-made to reflect an obsession with traditional cultural, geographic struggles. People need guiding principles and values and through a religious source that enumerates the many ways that people can live in harmony, this benefits society.
Yet in a harsh landscape of survival based on possessions, on land and animals to ensure the tribe is able to look after its own, resisting in the process attempts by those with fewer possessions, less land and animals for survival, the religion offers acceptance and support of tribal traditions.
Is that reason enough to consider this ancient history a satisfactory enough explanation for the fact that a people deeply immersed in their religion that instructs every facet of their lives can also exhibit deeply-ingrained animosity toward others accepting of violence? Including others of their locality and ethnic derivation, and religious adherence.
Violence can be directed toward others whose brand of that religion is not compatible with their own. And whose adherence to strict religious principles is deemed not sufficiently strict. How to rationally explain that those who believe deeply in the sanctity of their religion can still manage to engage in bloodthirsty acts of terror against their compatriots?
That the holy sanctity of a mosque can be invaded by followers of one sect of Islam for the purpose of murdering followers of another, unapproved sect? That rabid Islamists who cling to strict interpretations of Sharia law can see themselves doing their duty to Islam by becoming suicide bombers and blasting themselves into the hereafter along with fifty others praying in a mosque to Allah?
The most sacred Islamic holy days are defiled by such actions, yet in the minds of these pious Islamists these are but manifestations of their sacred duty to their religion, to the memory of the Prophet Muhammad, to Allah. One cannot ask by what logic such fanatics arrive at their destination to paradise, since logic has nothing whatever to do with such blind, unswerving faith leading to murder and death.
posted by Pieface @ Saturday, December 22, 2007
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