Rationality and Religion

The depth of irrationality surrounding the Muslim world's reaction to the Pope's recent remarks in an academic lecture is rivalled only by the irrationality and naivete of Western civilization and its unwillingness to recognize and confront the very real threats that have been levied against its very existence.

The CNN.com article linked to above cites a recent statement issued by the Mujahedeen Shura Council vowing to continue Holy War against the West, parts of which addressed the Pope saying:

"...you and the West are doomed as you can see from the defeat in Iraq, Afghanistan, Chechnya and elsewhere. ... We will break up the cross, spill the liquor and impose head tax, then the only thing acceptable is a conversion [to Islam] or [to be killed by] the sword."

In the meantime, Iran's Ali Khamenei accused the Pope and the West of a conspiracy, saying:

"Leaders of the arrogant imperialists have already defined the links of the chain in this US-Zionist project by attacking Iraq. ...The issue of insulting cartoons and remarks of some politicians about Islam are different links in the conspiracy of the crusaders and the pope's remarks are the latest links in this."

So let me get this straight, the US-led invasion of Iraq, the very existence of Israel as a state, the printing of cartoons by a Danish newspaper, the remarks of "some politicians about Islam" (the only such remarks I'm aware of typically involve an inordinate amount of butt-kissing), and the quoting of a Byzantine emperor by the Pope in an academic discourse are all part of some huge scheme to destroy and humiliate Islam?

I can see it all now. A conference room hidden deep in the Pentagon with Bush, several Israeli leaders, the editors of the Danish newspaper, Jyllands-Posten, and Pope Benedict XVI all huddled around a table plotting the destruction of Islam. I love how the media maligned Bush for his connection between Al-Qaeda and Iraq, yet doesn't so much as flinch at such paranoid accusations as are often issued by Muslim leaders against the West.

The Pope quoted a Byzantine emperor who said, "Show me just what Mohammad brought that was new and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." Well let's think about this. The entire Middle East used to be the most Christian region in the world. Remember, that's where Christianity started in the first place. Why is it now the most Muslim region in the world? Because the Christians all peacefully converted to Islam? Nope. Mohammad was no enlightened and compassionate prophet or religious leader. He was a seventh century warlord who discovered that making up a religion was an effective tool to gain power, wealth, and status.

If Islam wants to rebut this claim, let them attempt to do so. However they are not making a very good case for themselves, their rationality, or the popular claim that theirs is a religion of peace when they react violently, vow to pursue Holy War, kill nuns and attack churches, make death threats against the Pope, burn the Pope in effigy, and accuse the West of a conspiracy to make funny cartoons and destroy Islam. Is anyone else getting fed up with this?

What sickens me is that the violence against non-believers preached in the Qu'ran and Islamic teachings is so plain and the results of such teachings over the centuries are so clear, and yet our Pope APOLOGIZES! He says that he was merely citing a medieval text that doesn't "in any way whatsoever" express his personal opinion. So what is your personal opinion, Pope Benedict? That a religion that conquered and oppressed millions of Christians is a religion of peace? That Mohammad's exhortations in the Qu'ran to slay the infidel wherever he is found are not evil and inhuman?

I'm just sick of violence, folks. I'm sick and tired of violence being used as a means to spread ideas or institute change, and I'm sick of the West sitting on the couch with a finger up its nose while violence and the threat of violence is perpetrated against its people. The only legitimate use of violence is to defend oneself from aggression. Period. When it is used in any other way we must do two things: 1) Recognize and proclaim that such use is inherently evil. "Oh no, but absolutes are so scary!" Deal with it. The initiation of violence against others is absolutely wrong! 2) Respond to the initiation of violence by defending ourselves, or when practical helping others to defend themselves.

Recent events have shown we have a long way to go. I knew I was getting a little too optimistic about the strides the world is making towards freedom and rationality. It's going to take a lot more work.