I worry about what Islam, as a religion, teaches its adherents. Of all the world’s religions, Islam seems to the be one most likely to turn devotees nasty. I’m generalizing, of course, but the statistics back up my fears.
How many Buddhists have ever driven a car into a crowd of people based on their religious convictions? None that I am aware of. There does, however, seem to be proof that large groups of Muslims can tolerate and coexist relatively peacefully with large groups of non-Muslims.
GIVEN THE monstrous crimes perpetrated in the name of Allah, it is easy to despair about the future of the Muslim world. Nonstop news about bombings, beheadings and general bedlam will no doubt lead more and more Westerners to conclude that we are at war with an entire civilization.
So if, like me, you’ve been wondering if Muslims can coexist in relative peace with people who ARE NOT Muslims then it’s nice to read things like this:
Although the majority Muslim population is forced to follow the dictates of religious Sharia courts in family law, Malaysia has substantial minorities of Buddhists, Christians, Hindus and Confucians who are free to worship as they please. Alcohol is available, and few women are veiled, at least in Kuala Lumpur. Some Muslim extremists who have formed vigilante squads to crack down on “sins” like teenagers necking in public have been arrested by police. Although tensions exist among different ethnic and religious groups, Malaysia has for the most part been a showcase of ethnic and religious toleration.
Read the full article. I wouldn’t say Malaysia and Qatar are free, but I wouldn’t say Americans are either. I have higher standards than most of my fellow citizens. Much higher. And I’m optimistic about the future of human freedom on a global scale. I think the 21st century is going to usher in new paradigms and new freedoms for huge swaths of our species.
The world has room for lots of beliefs and philosphies. As long as those systems don’t espouse murdering or supressing those who disagree or practice alternative viewpoints.