Modern America touts it toleration above all other nations in the world. You can believe what you want and say almost anything without fear of retribution thanks to stiff language of the Constitution insuring these basic freedoms and rights. And that’s good. In fact, this freedom is what drove people to the American land of opportunity over the past centuries. But we must always remember to use our freedom wisely. We have the great responsibility to be prudent in the exercise of freedom and everything must be weighed against this simple rule: just because it is not illegal does not mean I should do it. As ethical decisions are based in individual hearts, the government cannot legislate morality.
To the issue of religious demonstrations against other faiths: this is never wise. Recently, a Florida pastor announced his plan to publically burn the Quran in an outcry against the September 11, 2001 attacks. This ignited a firestorm of outcry on both sides about the rights of his church and the value, or danger, of such actions. Churches of all stripes believe that they should bring others into agreement with them and they must recognize that over-the-top demonstrations will achieve nothing but hate. Most people agree that a sincere and intelligent dialogue goes much further than angry rhetoric. Some conservatives site the burning of Bibles among some Muslims as a legitimate excuse for burning the Islamic holy text, but any parent of an elementary child could remind them that the egregious disrespect of another does not make it right for you. Sadly, this debate is nothing new.
Historically, society should learn from the mistakes of the past. Book burning in the Middle Ages was common as heretical, or ‘crooked,’ teachings were rounded up and torched along with their owners. Despite a highly intolerant climate across most of the European continent during this time period, the land that would become medieval Spain shown as a beacon of what many scholars describe as the most tolerant society ever. They didn’t all agree and participate in some form of national, ambiguous religion. Instead, the Muslim controlled state of al-Andalus allowed Christians and Jews to practice their religion freely under an old Islamic respect for these other faiths. The phrase Ahl al-Kitābor, or ‘People of the Book,’ is used in the Islamic tradition to describe members of faiths that also rely on religious texts that Muslims believe have been directly revealed by God. To quote the book itself from chapter 29 verse 46, the Quran states: “Do not argue with the people of the scripture (Jews, Christians, and Muslims) except in the nicest possible manner - unless they transgress - and say, "We believe in what was revealed to us and in what was revealed to you, and our god and your god is one and the same; to Him we are submitters’” (from the Authorized English Edition). While Christians do not agree that their text is the inspired word from God as they do of parts of the Bible, this climate of respect had value in the 800s, 900s, and 1000s and it has value today in the 2000s a millennium later.
There were instances of tension when people overstepped the allowed actions and infringed on the other faiths. One story includes a Christian man intentionally blaspheming Allah in front of the religious and governmental authorities in an effort to gain martyrdom and incite anti-Muslim fervor. Sound familiar? Today’s religious conflicts often lack fuel until misguided people prop up a burning straw-man to give them a rally cry. We need to look closely at our political and religious leaders. Are they upholding their long-held values or are they using us and our passion to whip-up an out of place and unusual anger? Modern America could learn from Islamic Spain. We do not need to endorse all faiths but simply respect them if they uphold certain moral standards and recognize their members as valuable parts of our collective society. If burning a book in spite has no effect on your personal safety, it is very easy to do and you have that right. Just remember that someone will be blown up and the perpetrators will credit you with pushing the button. It may be a farming family at the food market or an American in uniform. Either way, it should keep you up at night for a while.
To the issue of religious demonstrations against other faiths: this is never wise. Recently, a Florida pastor announced his plan to publically burn the Quran in an outcry against the September 11, 2001 attacks. This ignited a firestorm of outcry on both sides about the rights of his church and the value, or danger, of such actions. Churches of all stripes believe that they should bring others into agreement with them and they must recognize that over-the-top demonstrations will achieve nothing but hate. Most people agree that a sincere and intelligent dialogue goes much further than angry rhetoric. Some conservatives site the burning of Bibles among some Muslims as a legitimate excuse for burning the Islamic holy text, but any parent of an elementary child could remind them that the egregious disrespect of another does not make it right for you. Sadly, this debate is nothing new.
Historically, society should learn from the mistakes of the past. Book burning in the Middle Ages was common as heretical, or ‘crooked,’ teachings were rounded up and torched along with their owners. Despite a highly intolerant climate across most of the European continent during this time period, the land that would become medieval Spain shown as a beacon of what many scholars describe as the most tolerant society ever. They didn’t all agree and participate in some form of national, ambiguous religion. Instead, the Muslim controlled state of al-Andalus allowed Christians and Jews to practice their religion freely under an old Islamic respect for these other faiths. The phrase Ahl al-Kitābor, or ‘People of the Book,’ is used in the Islamic tradition to describe members of faiths that also rely on religious texts that Muslims believe have been directly revealed by God. To quote the book itself from chapter 29 verse 46, the Quran states: “Do not argue with the people of the scripture (Jews, Christians, and Muslims) except in the nicest possible manner - unless they transgress - and say, "We believe in what was revealed to us and in what was revealed to you, and our god and your god is one and the same; to Him we are submitters’” (from the Authorized English Edition). While Christians do not agree that their text is the inspired word from God as they do of parts of the Bible, this climate of respect had value in the 800s, 900s, and 1000s and it has value today in the 2000s a millennium later.
There were instances of tension when people overstepped the allowed actions and infringed on the other faiths. One story includes a Christian man intentionally blaspheming Allah in front of the religious and governmental authorities in an effort to gain martyrdom and incite anti-Muslim fervor. Sound familiar? Today’s religious conflicts often lack fuel until misguided people prop up a burning straw-man to give them a rally cry. We need to look closely at our political and religious leaders. Are they upholding their long-held values or are they using us and our passion to whip-up an out of place and unusual anger? Modern America could learn from Islamic Spain. We do not need to endorse all faiths but simply respect them if they uphold certain moral standards and recognize their members as valuable parts of our collective society. If burning a book in spite has no effect on your personal safety, it is very easy to do and you have that right. Just remember that someone will be blown up and the perpetrators will credit you with pushing the button. It may be a farming family at the food market or an American in uniform. Either way, it should keep you up at night for a while.
No comments:
Post a Comment