Islamic chip-on-the-shoulder
Julie Davis's Happy Catholic has quickly established itself as one of my favorite blogs, and she always has an abundance of worthwhile and thought-provoking material on it. Yesterday she produced this post, to which, with the greatest reluctance, I must confess my general agreement. I respect the right of all adherents of all religions to practice their faith, as long as that practice does not interfere with my rights or those of others; but because it is not considered Politically Correct to criticise Islam in any way, I may now be labeled as a bigot for endorsing Julie's views. (Julie, of course, runs precisely the same risk. But if we were talking about, say, evangelical Christians instead of Muslims, why, that would be something totally different, as they appear to be fair game at all times.)
Most religions, including my own, have a violent fringe element within their ranks. Latter-day Saints, for example, were responsible for the infamous Mountain Meadows Massacre back in 1857. But I am unaware of any member of the Church today who glories in that incident, or claims that it was somehow justified. Moreover, the demonstators who picket our General Conferences, waving placards accusing us of being a Satanic cult and even desecrating our sacred temple garments in ways clearly intended to be provocative, do so every six months, without fear of retribution. President Hinckley has never called for a "holy war" against them, and I am fully confident that he and his successors never will do so. The fringe elements among us are just that -- kooks and fanatics, people lurking on the shadowy fringes of Mormonism, and well outside the mainstream of the faith. They do not typify us in any way. Religious violence among Christians -- and for that matter, Buddhists and Hindus as well -- is a rarity. Thus, one has to wonder why extremism is such a huge problem among Muslims in particular.
Apropos of this theme, check out Jeff Jacoby and Mona Charen in today's JWR.
Most religions, including my own, have a violent fringe element within their ranks. Latter-day Saints, for example, were responsible for the infamous Mountain Meadows Massacre back in 1857. But I am unaware of any member of the Church today who glories in that incident, or claims that it was somehow justified. Moreover, the demonstators who picket our General Conferences, waving placards accusing us of being a Satanic cult and even desecrating our sacred temple garments in ways clearly intended to be provocative, do so every six months, without fear of retribution. President Hinckley has never called for a "holy war" against them, and I am fully confident that he and his successors never will do so. The fringe elements among us are just that -- kooks and fanatics, people lurking on the shadowy fringes of Mormonism, and well outside the mainstream of the faith. They do not typify us in any way. Religious violence among Christians -- and for that matter, Buddhists and Hindus as well -- is a rarity. Thus, one has to wonder why extremism is such a huge problem among Muslims in particular.
Apropos of this theme, check out Jeff Jacoby and Mona Charen in today's JWR.
posted by Garry Wilmore at 7:34 AM
3 Comments:
Good points all, Garry. I do like to have more indepth info before I go around pointing fingers and, indeed, am reluctant to do so for the very reason you mention ... but sometimes the evidence just keeps mounting up and then what is one to do but draw conclusions? Although, mine were also influenced by reading Islam Unveiled which was very thought provoking.
To be entirely fair, I should have pointed out some of the abominations that have been committed throughout history in the name of Christ, including the Crusades. Problem is, you and I personally had absolutely nothing to do with them -- nada, zip -- and neither has any other person who has lived at any time during the past 800 years or so. But the Muslims definitely have a long historical memory, and I think it's time for them to let this particular resentment go. (Several years ago, by the way, Billy Graham ceased to refer to his revival meetings as "crusades;" they are now called "festivals.")
That's one reason I iiked that book. Spenser didn't dodge any of the abominations carried out by Christians but did point everything back to the religion and whether such behavior had any base in its precepts.
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