"The one who identifies the problem is not the problem," is a wise proverb used in conflict resolution. It seems obvious, doesn't it? If there is an accident on the side of the road, the passerby who calls the Highway Patrol for help is not cited for causing it.
Here's another proverb, "Don't shoot the messenger."
Do you wonder at the extreme reactions we have seen by some Muslims, to anything unflattering or distasteful to them? Rather than explaining the underlying reasons for these reactions, the representatives of moderate Islam tend to disavow such deeds, leaving the public confused as to where these behaviors came from.
Would you like to have a deeper understanding of the situation? Let me share with you some insights from a comparative culture point of view.
In the West, we generally believe that when someone moves a disagreement from the issue to a personal attack, it is because their case is weak. But can we make that assumption with other cultures?
The way we say something is as important as what we say. Some criticisms are spoken so unkindly, that even if valid, you'd rather die than listen. Isn't it better to speak in a helpful way, like we would to a friend who had a spider in her hair or a guy whose fly is unzipped? They don't mind when we say, "Oops, you've got a problem there; you'd better take care of it."
Yet, nicely done or not, when myself and others bring attention to anything uncomplimentary in Islam, we usually receive angry recrimination and threats, rather than attention to the issue.
Overseas the results can be extreme. In Pakistan, law 295-C grants the death penalty for disrespecting Mohammed. Disrespecting the Koran carries life imprisonment. Ironically, speaking ill of Allah, although frowned upon, does not carry such a sentence.
The cartoonist's pen must be mightier than the sword - or at least one would think so from the backlash engendered when Mohammed's likeness is scribbled. Cartoons are a medium of expression, like the spoken word. They may be in poor taste or disrespectful, but they don't kill. (See my Huffington Post blog on "Comedy Central's Prophet Experiments")
To speak ill of the Koran or Islam is usually a crime in Islamic states, so you really need count the cost before you open your mouth. Take the case of Egyptian Coptic Priest Father Zakaria, now infamous throughout the Arab World. What has he done? Spoken on the internet and television, for the first time ever in Arabic, exposing the imperfect preservation of the Koran and the implications of "difficult" hadiths. His message is not welcome to Islam. As a result, although he merely speaks, he has a price of 60 million dollars on his head.
Is there any explanation why criticisms of Islam tend to garner outstanding reprisals? Should we use our Western way of thinking and assume it is because their defense is weak?
Frankly, although this may often be the case, it is not the entire explanation. Let's consult a few foundational Islamic documents to throw light on the subject.
"O you who believe! Do not ask questions about things which if made plain to you may cause you trouble... Some people before you did ask such questions, and on that account lost their faith."
Koran, sura
5:101,102
One major difference between the West and Islam is that the Koran says it is a sin to question anything that might lead you away from Islam. This is not only written, but it is routinely practiced. Even a Muslim university professor in the USA told me this before dropping out of a discussion for that reason. Several of my associates struggled with this before leaving Islam. Some were beaten by Muslim clerics for merely asking, "Why must we pray in Arabic? If I understand three languages, why can't God?" or "If God is everywhere, why must we face Mecca when we pray?"
"Showing others the weak points of Muslims"
is a serious sin, an "enormity" according to the Sunni classic manual of Islamic Sacred Law, entitled Reliance of the Traveler. Sadly, this one law not only discourages inquiry, but to some, legitimizes cover-up.
These two powerful references build a wall around Islam, which insulates it from challenge within or without.
In contrast to the West, righteousness in Islam is largely dependent on the environment, not just the individual. This is one reason Sharia Laws are so extensive. For example, an Imam from a large mosque in America told me that if a man had a lustful thought looking at a woman, the sin was hers, not his. So she should cover.
Similarly, if doubting is a sin, that which causes the doubt is evil, even if it is correct. And so, in contrast to the Western way of thinking, the messenger IS at fault and must be attacked. If a cartoon makes Mohammed unattractive, it is in keeping with this mindset to "kill the messenger".
Is it clearer now? Can you see why some Muslims take their reactions to the extreme?
Nevertheless, those of us who believe Socrates was onto something keep asking questions. Let's be patient with those who disagree, but we must be persistent and persuasive. If Islam as a whole wants to join the modern world, more and more of its population needs to see that it is OK to question. Thinking out of the box is what helps make new discoveries and brings progress for everyone.
My forthcoming book, The Topkapi Secret, although a novel, exposes the imperfect preservation of the Koran, and existing Koranic variants. What is revealed is not only true, but is confirmed with references. It will give readers an opportunity to confront the issue - the largely overlooked fact that the Koran has been changed - rather than deny it and simply blame the messenger. http://www.amazon.com/Topkapi-Secret-Terry-Kelhawk/dp/1616142138
Mike Ghouse: Sharia Law: Not in America
In that case the terrorism committed in the name of Islam should be the greatest insult ever.
Why don't the proponents of peace demonstrate against terrorism with the same vigor that a stupid cartoon gets. Why don't they go on the offensive against the mullahs. Till they do so, the world cannot be lead to believe that Muslims are moderate.
When religion looses debate to reason, they use violence. When this is combined with the extreme illiteracy and poverty the results are what we see today in Muslim world.
Ms. Kelhawk, thank you for bringing this up. I can see much conflict that may be avoided if we all took the time to understand our fellow human beings.
Bringing this subject to religions is stupid. Israeli government made a mistake and raided ships with elite commandos and killed peace activists shooting in head in international waters..
Should i lose all my respect to Jews?
Absolutely NO!
Saying "It is all about the religions" is an easy thing.. And the thing, someone who wants to manipulate people love!
My bottom line is that it did not take the East to change the barbaric ways of the West, it took the West to do that. Equally it should not take the West to change the barbaric ways of the East, let them figure out and decide what they would like to make of their society, culture, religion... Who gave/gives you the moral high ground or authority to tell a diverse and large people what they should or should not do about their religion or how they should or should not defend it against attacks, perceived or otherwise?
It is very easy to see the weeds on the neighbor's lawn than to see the bush on your own.
I largely agree with your analysis. For what it's worth, I've studied socioeconomics with an emphasis on comparative religions to the senior undergraduate level. I have a few comments to you on your analysis.
Firstly: "In the West, we generally believe that when someone moves a disagreement from the issue to a personal attack, it is because their case is weak. But can we make that assumption with other cultures?"
I would argue that this assertion still holds true in light of your analysis, which tends to support the assertion. Suppressing inquiry, punishing heresy/blasphemy/apostasy, and squelching criticism are traits of most religions, especially the Abrahamic ones in a historical context. The Inquisition comes readily to mind. The Old Testament, particularly the Torah or Pentateuch, has very harsh rules towards unbelievers (people of other faiths), heresy, blasphemy (one of the Ten Commandments is reserved for it), and apostasy. Suppressing such inquiry, debate, and questioning is a trait of any established belief system for the reason that it is protecting the weak case it stands upon. This is not just true of religion, as one can see by studying any nationalist movement.
"And they've never succeeded."
http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/quran/index.htm
Koran, sura
5:101,102
To be clear, this quoted sura is about religional laws, It means with previous suras, if you ask "do i need to cut my hair every monday?" It will be answered. But pushing forward these questions is not a good thing.
Questioning is praised clearly in many suras.
Lets review, very shortly, evidence of Muslim (and Jewish???) violence worldwide.
9/11 in the USA: direct Muslim terrorism against the west. The same applies for blasts in the London transportation and the Spanish trains. Thousands of innocents died in these brutal, senseless attacks. In the Philippines in Mindanao: decades of ongoing violence between Filipino Catholics and …. abu sayaf Muslim terrorist organization. Same applies to Thailand. Let’s not forget India (Hindus) and Pakistani backed Kashmir. Muslim terrorism at its “best”.
China and the Muslim Ughurs. Shall we continue with Africa? Violence in Northern Nigeria between Christians and …. Muslims. In Somalia, Muslim on Muslim violence. Sudan: Muslim on native Africans violence. Ethiopia and Kenya: ongoing Christian-Muslim strife. How can we forget Afghanistan and of course Iraq. Cruel and ongoing Suni and Shia Muslim on Muslim terror and violence.
Egypt: ongoing persecution of Christian Copts by Egyptian Muslims. Palestine: Nazareth and Bethlehem, once heavily populated by Christians. Mostly driven out by their Muslim “neighbors”. In all of these examples, and there are many more, Israel is not involved in any way and neither are Jews. It’s just Muslims doing what they know best. Terrorizing and killing Infidels and each other.
Obviously not all Muslims are violent. The vast majority are peace loving humanitarians. But even if only 0.1% of Muslims are extremists that computes at over 1.4 million crazies. And that is what the world has to contend with.
Oh, they do not. I'd love to see some reliable statistics to bear this out, because the stats I've seen do not show this at all. Part of what we count as rape would never be counted as rape in a Muslim country as part of a violent crime statistic...such as marital rape.
"Remove the corrupted American backed Muslim leaders, who have filled their pockets full of American taxpayers money and then selling out Islamic values and introducing wine, beer and the such!"
*snort* Yeah, that's why the Indonesian bombings happened, and that's why the Taliban attacks schools for girls. That's why LeT attacks India.
I'm wondering when you are going to mention that American troops went in to protect Bosnian Serbs. I'm wondering when you are going to mention the millions of Muslims living in peace in the United States. I'm wondering when you are going to mention the liberation of Kuwait, and the fact that the United States neither occupied it nor put a puppet government in place. What puppet government exists in Nigeria, Sudan, or Somalia?
Please cite your evidence for the Unites States promoting civil wars between Muslims and Christians.
I do have to make one more comment. Jesus was not a warrior. He never advocated violence. He was slain by the state and state related organizations. He conquered not a square inch of territory. He carried no sword and associated with no one who did.
Your understanding of the parable of the King and his distributed silver is faulty. Jesus is talking about the Kingdom of God, not the domain of the State. He is talking about Heaven and Hell. Jesus was not the leader of the zealots. You will find no exhortations to raise armies and topple governments by physical force.
"Why buy second hand what you already own?"
Truer words about religion were never spoken.
This piece says "Muslims don't ask questions and can't, that is the difference between us," but then the last paragraph says, "I have found out that the Quran has variants" and it is "true." Essentially saying her version of what is true can't be refuted. I wonder about how open ms. Topkapi secrets is to her dogmatic beliefs being challenged. I venture to believe not much.
I know because Im an American who converted to Islam, who's family and friends were in the military and who almost went to West Point, before my conscience warned me of the consequences of warring on behalf of America's global empire.
Julian, what do you know of Islam? Do you know that Islam renders oil and gas as public property, so its revenue should go towards the needs of the people?
Did you know that Islam prohibits interest? And do you know what interest/usury does to a society?
Did you know, Julian, that the first rulers of Islam, the caliphs who were the disciples and companions of the Prophet Muhammad, all ruled by their statements: the weakest among you will be strong until they receive their rights, and the strongest among you will be weak until the rights of others will fulfilled from them, and the sincere regard for Truth is Loyalty, while the disregard for Truth is treachery.
Do you believe government should enable the weak to acquire their rights from the strong? Or do you prefer that government should further empower the strong and powerful, who in turn avoid their obligations to the weak and the weak should be left to their own devices?
Half my own family is muslim (They are generally mellow about religion, I see you're a convert..guess there is some truth in the old saying) the other half is catholic (again, fairly liberal) and I dont believe in any silly superstitions (you may notice my avatar....Julian the Apostate)......but, I know them all pretty well.
"Do you believe government should enable the weak to acquire their rights from the strong? Or do you prefer that government should further empower the strong and powerful, who in turn avoid their obligations to the weak and the weak should be left to their own devices?"
What a weird false choice.
"Did you know that Islam prohibits interest? And do you know what interest/usury does to a society?"
You apparently dont understand the difference between interest and usury. Usury is illegal.
"sincere regard for Truth is Loyalty, while the disregard for Truth is treachery."
This is pretty much meaningless clap trap, but also
me and you may have some different definition of 'truth' .
anyway, what the heck does any of that have to do with 'revealed' religions being nonsense lies and delusions? You tend to be kind of all over the place. Figures, converts are always nuts.