Reaction
The previous post may have disturbed you. I hope it did.
That post was intended to embody our reaction to The DaVinci Code, were we Muslims and were the novel’s attacks directed at Islam. We need not look back farther than February’s news to find out exactly how the Muslim world would react. That is exactly the sentiment I attempted to communicate with my satire.
The resources I utilized to construct my blog post, besides my own recollection of current events, are as follows:
- The Da Vinci Code on Wikipedia
- The Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy on Wikipedia
- Another Bounty on 12 Cartoonists’ Heads from Agora
- Dan Brown on Wikipedia
I hope I have made my point, which, for the sake of summary, is: Christianity is superior to Islam because it’s true and Islam is not and because it advocates morally correct (nonviolent) actions and Islam advocates violence; or, because Christianity is not superior to true Islam, only the brand of Islam that these reactionaries practice.
I know that many will disagree with me on the first reason, but I believe that is the correct one. Forgive me, then, the talk about “Christianity is true and Islam is not,” which I believe but do not care to defend at the moment. Let’s focus on the second part: is Christianity morally superior to Islam when it comes to such violence, or is it morally superior to only the brand of Islam that these “extremists” practice? A quick analysis of the scope of violent reaction to the Denmark cartoons suggests it is the former. Foreign ministries of seventeen Muslim countries “call[ed] for the Danish government to punish those responsible for the cartoons” [Wikipedia, source 2]. “Several” Islamic countries closed their embassies in Denmark in protest [Wikipedia, source 2]. A boycott on Danish goods and services was implemented in “Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and other Middle East[ern] countries” [Wikipedia, source 2]. “The Organization of the Islamic Conference and the Arab League demanded that the United Nations impose international sanctions upon Denmark and EU introduce blasphemy laws” [Wikipedia, source 2]. Demonstrations and protests occurred “worldwide” [Wikipedia, source 2]. “Altogether, at least 139 people were killed in protests, mainly in Nigeria, Libya, Pakistan and Afghanistan” [Wikipedia, source 2]. I think the sheer widespread nature of Islamic reaction is indicative of the fact that this type of thinking and this violent response is inherent in the religion of Islam.
The necessity of such violent and zealous action against anyone who so much as dares to attack or question one’s faith is tacit admission that the tenets of that faith cannot compete in the marketplace of ideas. Christians have no such fear, and that is why you do not see us react to attacks like Brown’s as the Muslims do. After all, what can we do in our own power that will add to God’s infinite power to vindicate Himself? It is a small god indeed who needs his follower’s defense.
1 Comments:
Nice work grasshopper.
I must admit I did a double-take when you said, "Christianity is superior to Islam." However, it is true, harsh as it may sound. Jesus said that He is the way, and the truth, and the life, and that no one can come to the Father except through Him. Which makes Christianity far superior to Islam in the eternal sense.
However, as for being morally superior, I'm not convinced that Christianity is. Although it is, esssentially, morally superior to the violent actions of some Muslims, I think that the majority of Muslims live much more moral lives than do most Christians. The reason is that "Christianity" is a general term. Have you ever noticed on Myspace under the Religion preference, Christianity is labeled with the "other" classification? Many people who believe in God yet don't live out their belief simply call themselves Christians for the label. This causes a huge rift of lukewarm religion that passes down from generation to generation. So, "Christian" has, in a certain sense, become synonymous with "hypocrite."
Islam, however, is an extremely devoted religion. Most Muslims, (with the necessary exceptions) are, essentially, good, moral people. Unfortunately, their moral standards don't last for eternity as do the Christian's relationship with God.
In that sense, Islam is morally superior to Christianity if you consider the lukewarm Christianity that many so-called Christians are living. If you consider the sold-out relationships with God (which is the source of 'morality') then Christianity is morally superior to Islam. So, that's my only point to make, and I hope it made even the remotest amount of sense. Nice post!
-Amy
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