Rescuing Religion
There are those who feel it is their moral duty to redeem religion, rescue it from the suspicion brought upon it by one religion in particular proving to be problematically interpreted by the fanatics among its congregants. And since it is Islam, and Islam in particular and Islam only that has gathered to itself this unenviable reputation of fostering a belief in divine injunctions to go out into the world and destroy all that which does not reflect Muslim belief, perhaps it is Islam only that requires a second look.Christianity and Judaism, along with Hinduism and the Baha'i religions are all in fact being threatened by Muslim congregants. The irony here is that Muslims continue to insist that it is Islam that is beleaguered, and Islam only, all the while Christian churches are being destroyed and burned down, Jews and infidels attacked and slaughtered. Muslims appear to have a very short, volatile fuse, easily lit, difficult to defuse. And they are invested in the self-serving belief that the world has been infested with Islamophobia.
But the Second Global Conference on World's Religions After Sept.11 is set to become a reality. It is being organized by McGill University and the Universite de Montreal through the work of Arvind Sharma, professor of comparative religion at McGill. The goal is laudable enough in principle; to contribute to a resolution among those who attend to promote world peace. The Dalai Lama will be an honoured guest to the debate.
Also in attendance to participate in a panel discussion on Peace Through Religion will be Robert Thurman representing Buddhism, Gregory Baum representing Christianity, Steven Katz, representing Judaism, the Dalai Lama, and the controversial Tariq Ramadan speaking for Islam. Also present will be the new-age guru of spirituality and alternative medical healing, Deepak Chopra.
It is perhaps, the presence of Tariq Ramadan defending Islam and interpreting its sacred precepts and injunctions that presents the truly controversial aspect of the conference and its chosen attendees. Mr. Ramadan is seen as a cleverly subtle apologist and explainer of Islam. His grandfather co-founded the Muslim Brotherhood and Mr. Ramadan's point of view is not far removed from that of the Brotherhood. He seeks to remove the sting of suspicion in the West.
Organizer Arvind Sharma anticipates three resolutions to result from the debate: the one certain to bear scrutiny, which is one that reflects a similar resolution that emanated from the United Nations through pressure brought to bear by the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the Arab League: violating the sanctity of the scripture of any religion amounts to violating the sanctity of all religions.
"This is a sugar-coated attempt by Islamists to co-opt other religious leaders being asked to come here in good faith. This is another way of saying you can't criticize religion and that's a catastrophe. It's a very sad day when the Dalai Lama is co-opted into signing this. He's been duped or he's very naive", observed Tarek Fatah who is not shy about expressing his opinion of Mr. Ramadan.
This doesn't faze Mr. Sharma who insists the purpose of the conference is to try to erase the 'bad name' religion acquired after 9/11. Which betrays unequivocally the obvious, that Mr. Sharma is either himself obsequiously and surprisingly naive, or that he is being deliberately mischievous. For religion per se did not acquire a bad name; only one religion was implicated and thus far has been incapable of acquitting itself.
Labels: Islamism, Political Realities, Religion
posted by Pieface @ Tuesday, September 06, 2011
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