More often than not, what begins as a civilized debate often degenerates into an irrational argument, when reason and truth are exhausted the baser elements rear their ugly heads. When fear of losing the debate over-rides the concept of the original plan to have an open exchange of thoughts or ideas with others, isn’t it amazing how personalities, backgrounds, or beliefs creep in? The next time you happen upon a new blog try this test, read the comments first, this should give you the best representation of what kind of blog you are visiting, and quickly tell you if you should bother with the blog at all! Blogs are fairly easy to categorise because the comments sections offer an immediate reaction, by the debaters, that can be seen by all. Some bloggers don’t even respond to honest criticisms or questions, that says even more. But, this post is not about blogging etiquette, styles, or preferences.
The reaction, or lack of it, to the recent publication of the film "Fitna" tells us more about our ability to rise above our baser instinctive need to retaliate than it does of a religion. Reason and tolerance seem to prevail on all sides amidst this controversial release. There is hope. Oh sure, there will be some reactionary responses, there always are a few misfits, malcontents, and under-achievers that want to be heard; but, in the main, it seems as if the majority see this film for what it is, a tabloid piece of media, a 15 minute non-event. The horrible things we’ve been doing to each other for thousands of years is what is truely shocking, not that a small part of it is shown on a piece of video. Some of the un-educated are exchanging a bit of foul language between them and a few of the main stream media outlets are fanning the flames to sell advertising but it seems that most are ignoring the hate filled bickering. Balance and objectivity are what we need, and that is just what you get from Euro Yank where he posts the "Fitna" video and a short rebuttal film along with commentary. A "must see" for anyone who wishes to gain some insight into the situation.
Monotheism blossomed out of the harsh desert environment between western Asia and the Middle East almost 4,000 years ago. Something about this idea of only one God rang as true in the hearts of the inhabitants and Abraham, of the Old Testament, is credited with being the first human to commit his beliefs in this way. Down through the ages this idea caught on with the general public and became a concept that most of the world embraces and adheres to today. Of all the other options, this idea of only one God, made more sense to a wider assortment of peoples than the idols formed by men. Not everyone made this transition at once or in the same manner. Words, ideas, inventions, and people travelled at a much slower rate in those days than they do now; but, travel they did, these ideas followed the trade routes and were welcomed as a sign of hope in these arid lands. Even now, when we are confronted with new ideas and concepts, it spurs great debates both oral and written, and eventually some sort of consensus or public awareness is born.
Nearly 300 years after the mission of Jesus, in the year 325 of the Common Era, a council was convened by the Emperor Constantine I that would once and for all decide which of all these writings and oral traditions would be deemed acceptable to the new Christian movement. It was the Council of Nicaea that chose what the Christian Bible would become. The Jewish writings, unchangeable by Constantine’s councils, were much older and were included as the Old Testament and the common history of Jews and Christians was forever bound under the one living God of Abraham, Moses, and Isaiah. This new Book also made it’s way along the trade routes of the Middle East, Asia, North Africa, and the Arab Peninsula.
The city of Mecca was the largest at the time on the Arabian Peninsula and was a crossroads of trade and commerce for Jews, Christians, Arabs, and Africans. It was here, about 300 years after Nicaea, that the Prophet Mohammed began his mission to bring the estranged descendants of Abraham back to the one living God. It was from Abraham’s sons, Ishmael and Isaac, that the great peoples of Arabia and Judea came. As if a long lost rememberance was re-kindled in the minds and hearts of the Arabian nation they followed Muhammed back to the God of their ancestors and joined their brothers and sisters in believing in the one true God of Abraham. Allah, Yahweh, and God are the different names of the same Supreme Being. The similarities between Christians, Muslims, and Jews far outweigh the differences and in time it will be these similarities that will allow us to co-exist in tolerance, compassion and peace.
In the world today diplomacy between different nations and peoples allow us a relatively comfortable existence in the West. We need to overcome our differences and embrace our sameness with everyone, this can be a successful achievement even though our track record isn’t stellar. All nations and peoples are guilty of abandoning the Faith and committing atrocities. If you think you can find justification for your actions in the Scriptures, Proverbs, or Surahs of your written tradition then think again. No, don’t think, that is where our problems lie, with you thinking. Instead, check your interpretations with the Ten Commandments of The Book, if there is a contradiction with your version and the Word of God, can you guess who is wrong?
The threat from Islam does not come from it’s religious beliefs it comes from it’s economic ones and it is aimed at the rich and powerful. The socio-economic philosophy of Islam is to redistribute natural resources among all who need it with no regard for private profit, a banking system with no interest payments, and an idea that all basic human needs be cared for. It is a system that blends the positive aspects of capitalism with a type of communism that includes incentives for the ambitious. Is it any wonder that this Third Solution is gaining converts faster than any other?
