Al Yazeera this week
once again gave publicity to
the interpretation of Usama bin Laden
of the
Koran by means of a video tape. Since
the CNN and other broadcasters in the US are trying to get a exclusive
interview with the elusive instigator of the Al Caeda terror network, we
haven't much to criticize Al Yazeera. But we have some more to compare
Western and Muslim World views.
We become aware of some consequential details
of UBL's line of thought. And these details are quite logic. There is
where we touch the problem of the Western World. We are in denial of this
logic. Therefor we need the overwhelming power of the Western World as
equalizer. We would be in a better position if the opponent would be 180
degrees opposite. What do I mean?
While the Islam has the same source as
Judaism and Christianity, our Western approach to Religious is as if it
is separate from daily life; not complete but it is left to the individual,
how big a part of his life he allows it to be. This is unthinkable in Islam;
five times prayer according natural divisions of the day, makes life indivisible
from religion.
Christians should be like that. Christians
as representing the Western World should be so dedicated to the realization
of God's Kingdom on Earth. Instead we are a heterogeneous hotchpotch of
individualistic halfhearted units who are even struggling with the concept
of family.
Back to the logic of UBL's message. Uniting
with a totally secular World Organization as the UN, is conflicting with
a Islamic one integrated way of life and government. That UBL's World view
is medieval is a Western opinion. We are too progressive for his part of
the World. We are the "liberals" of the World. Isn't it ironic, that "liberals",
as in the Western World, are less inclined to be religious? Isn't it telling?
Isn't liberalism and relativism congruent?
Christianity failed the Mission to spread
over (conquer) the whole World. The Crusades were a violent and primitive
method of gaining influence; especial for a peace and love promoting religion.
The Inquisition did not match the Christian ideas either. The witch hunts
are on the debit side as well. Some of those things we overcame. But not
the failure to spread The Good Message to the Arabic and Asian brothers
and sisters, 1400 plus years ago!
Now we have to deal with the substitute
religion Islam, what is missing the self sacrificing, non violent aspect
of Christianity. It is however not missing the violent aspects of the Crusades.
The USA is a young country that just like
any child, can only think in "here and now" terms. But "history" took place
and the USA is the dauphin of the Western Tradition. |