Islam, Judaism and Christianity, on human rights and democracy?
By: H.A. Yahya, Professor of Sociology
This state is not unique for Muslim faith, religion through history was (and still is) a force to stabilize cultures, as a force for hostility toward others. European wars were incited by religion. That’s in theory, the west perceptions of Islam is that Islam induce suicide bombing culture, which is not true. The issue of martyrdom is different from suicide bombers, and Muslims have a difficulty to distinguish between the two in recent years to satisfy the new world order and its leading force, the USA, especially after September 11. where human rights and democracy were put in the back seat.
Need hierarchy motivates people change according to their perceived needs. Lower-order needs (such as food and shelter and of course democracy) are more important motivators and must be mostly filled before needs for peer acceptance and self-actualization become powerful motivators.
I believe that not making cultural adjustment is usually a mistake. However, the culture allows foreigners more latitude than it does to its own citizens. In such cases, less adjustment is necessary. As for western values, little adjustment is necessary but difficult to apply. What may help in this case, is a core state plays the representative of western power to incite cultural changes, such a state is expected to be Muslim country with western thought.
Associations and organizations should have goals, and processes to make itself for the benefits of Muslims, as the Jewish associations. The Jews are far ahead on any other religion, in taking care of Jews anywhere on Earth. No other religion followers resemble them in management and leadership. And I believe, they should be commended for their successful efforts.
The idea of intellectuals and secularists is very dangerous one to the theologians in every religion. In the Jewish faith, in the Christian faith, and in the Islamic faith. They all share intolerance, lack of Judgment and ignorance of ideas might unite between them. Politics is riding almost all followers of the three mentioned religions. Their followers anywhere are drugged by the teachings of their clergy men, as they are the only followers of God who will open his paradise for them and denies other religions from Heaven, but to expel them in Hell.
In Christian faith, Jesus Image in one church, is different from other churches. Catholic beliefs are different from those of Protestant beliefs. And both are misused by the Old Testament, or the New one.
In the Jewish faith, however, it took a very different direction, Jews have understood early the power of mind, through Espinoza, Marx, and Durkheim, to control circumstances of the modern world through Psychology, Medicine, Audio-visual Media, Press, and attorneys at law, in addition to business finance and banking were the means to control people. These fields were observed, as controlled in the United States by Jews. Psychology departments and tests writings, have changed the negative image of Jews in America after the 1940s and the Holocaust. Politically they supported those who may support Jewish goals, such as creating and supporting the State of Israel. They were very successful in that field. Most Americans follow blindly this direction and support Israel financially and materially through arms weaponry and advanced technology.
Both Christian and Jewish faiths were united early as Judeo-Christian faith to stand opposing the religion of Islam. Muslims are not less in their position from other religions. All religions share conflict with the other. And none is proved true in their allegations. But as I see it, there should be a conciliation or normalization by reciprocal recognition between religions to reduce the tension among their followers worldwide. Exchanged misconceptions about each other may close the gap between religions in terms of human rights and Democracy. If we forget the false assumption about Muslim terrorists perception. (644 words)