I heard today that several neoconservative pundits and media personalities are planning a campaign to provide an 'education' program at colleges across America about Islamo-fascism. In education there should be a rounded presentation of different philosophies, points of view, and facts to teach our young adults how to evaluate between them in order to make an informed choice.
This push to 'educate' about Islamo-fascism, though, has me thinking several things:
1. Fascism by itself is a horrible thing. Is there that much difference between religious sects that we must distinguish the Islamic version of fascism? In the interest of fairness and to give students the chance to develop a rounded viewpoint, shouldn't there also be a unit on Christo-fascism?
2. Religion really isn't the point with fascism, anyway. Such a form of governing may borrow from religion or claim roots in it, but at the bottom of it the leaders are only borrowing from the legitimacy of religion to push their unholy agenda. No form of fascism is supported in religious literature.
3. What the neocons are speaking out against is Islamic extremism. They ought to label it as such. But again, if we are going to recognize Islamic extremism it would only be fair to recognize Christian extremism. They are equally destructive and neither conforms to religious tenets.
4. I haven't had a chance to check with my Moslem friends about this situation (Asdan, Furqaan, Omar, Majed, and others). I have made these friends through community efforts to get people to get along. They are all advocates for peace, and none are extremists. If I was in their shoes I would be really frustrated, even angry. Some of our national leaders are connecting their religion with the most horrible form of government possible.
5. Which is really what is going on, anyway. The pundits and media personalities are really just furthering the myth that Islam is bad, wrong, evil, dangerous, evil, violent, and evil. Why do we put up with such narrowmindedness and insecurity?
Somewhat connected, but this morning I wrote a thought down that seems appropriate here: I wish that the Competitors of the world could accept that there are those who do not want to compete, but would rather cultivate cooperation.
Let us have some legitimacy. Let us practice what we believe is right. Don't make us out to be wrong. I would be perfectly content to let you play your games of power and influence -- because that's what makes you feel that you have purpose, and I have no desire to butt into your game and take over -- if you would let me do what fulfills my life. One day we will each have to answer to God, a.k.a. Allah. Since Jesus was one of the most peaceful activists the world has ever known, I would like to be able to report that I followed His lead.
P.S. I lied a little in the last paragraph. I am not content to let leaders play their games of power and influence because it results it poverty and death for innocent people. That's just inexcusable.
