Switzerland Bans Minarets
Posted: Sunday, December 06, 2009
by Jim Murdoch
http://losttomeaningful.com/
The recent ban in Switzerland and the subsequent shock and reactions around the world has a lot to do with the West's view of Muslims and Islam, particularly since 9/11. The Rusdie affair and other Muslim outbursts like the reaction to Danish cartoons have not helped with the non-Muslim's view of Islam. Put on top of that the radical Muslim priests who preached hate and you have the feeling of the West which I believe has been reflected here in Switzerland.
The issue with the minarets is not a minaret issue, but a larger fear of Swiss Muslims and Islam in general. In Zurich it is Muslim youth who are always involved in street fights, gang wars and much of the violence we read about in our papers. The threat (so it is perceived) of more minarets springing up around Switzerland is simply another nail in the coffin of the Swiss Muslim image.
Education and communication is perhaps what is missing here. For example, the common perception of a minaret is a wailing call to prayer at several times throughout every day, something which I believe the Swiss would not like to have disrupt their peace and quiet. Personally, I would not like this aspect of minarets. The bells are bad enough particularly if you live too close to them.
What is religious freedom? Perhaps a new definition is in order. Religious freedom is the right for anyone to practice his or her religion, providing it is within keeping of the law of the land. Religious freedom is also the practising of one's own religion in a way which does not interfere or intimidate those practising other religions.
I am not adhering to any religion and for me all religions are the same. They all point to a great truth which, through the religiousness itself, has been hidden and forgotten. That great truth is that we are all One, we all belong to the same Spirit and have each a responsibility towards each other. What names we use or rituals we practice are irrelevant. If they help a devotee connect to the Divine then it is good. Hate and rejection is not good, especially in the name of religion.
Our human history has given us ample evidence that religion has hindered world peace. I am for world peace. This is why I teach that everyone has a Divine power within them, and we all have the ability to achieve what we desire - the creative power - and that when we endeavour to help our fellows our inner strength is at its peak.
I trust this opinion helps toward a more open approach towards those of other religions. I admire the position of the Dalai Lama (no, I'm not buddhist). I encourage you to listen to a recent talk he gave on "Ethics and Enlightened Leadership. http://mitworld.mit.edu/video/725
your statement "Our human history has given us ample evidence that religion has hindered world peace." is Not correct. the Opposite is true. Think of World War 1 & 2, Think of Hiroshima, . . .not caused by religion. I believe that the TRUE religion will bring about peace.Hello Salim, I respect your point of view. A thorough study of past wars will however show that religious motives were often the stimulus. The wars between Spain and Britain are an example, as are the Catholic Crusades and the Holy wars of the early Muslims. Add to that conflicts in my home land, Northern Ireland, and Sri Lanka, the Japanese purge of the Samurai, the Communist wars (a religion in its own right) and the current conflict in the Middle East. I am not a history buff and I'm sure there is much more could be added to this list, including the current Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.Of course it could be argued that politics were at the back of all of these conflicts, and that may be true. But allow to suggest how modern day religion, true or not, hinders peace. Some religions are not prepared to tolerate other religions. Some even try to proselytize others. These are inevitably those who claim their religion is the one true religion. Others are more tolerant, particularly those with many gods.The Christians in the West have been convinced by political motives that the Islam is their enemy, yet many Muslims fight in their armies. Likewise there are those of the Muslim faith who convince their followers that all Westerners are enemies. This is religion, and in BOTH cases BOTH SIDES are acting against their own holy books. For in all holy writings of all religions the message is clear, we are all one, and we are one with with God/Allah/Jahweh or whatever name we give him/her and the one command common to all is to Love one another.I have been religious. I know what it is like to love a muslim but think he's going to hell because my religion says so. Such thinking is preposterous and the God of the Universe is better than that. Religion is a distortion of the holy writings they are based on. Since I left religion the holy writings make much more sense. You and I are one, therefore if I love you I love myself.Peace Salim,Jim
