Newsletter: Vol. 10. Iss. 1
September 2010
The Essence of Evil, cont'd.
Peter J. Miano
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The critics of the so-called ground zero
mosque project rely on and promote a perception of Muslims and Islam in general
that is as misinformed as it is repugnant. One way or another, they claim
that Islam is particularly prone to violence. We know all too well of Islamic
groups that promote violence. Do we really know how many of the one billion
Muslims around the globe agree with such violent actions? Why is there such
a rush to characterize all Muslims based on the actions of an extreme minority?
My experience over twenty years of living and working throughout the Middle
East with Muslims, as well as Jews and Christians, does not allow me think
like that. But really though, has any religion generated more violence than
Christianity? Do we characterize Christianity as intrinsically violent, because
of the actions of extremists like Timothy McVeigh, not to mention the more
lethal episodes of the Crusades, the Inquisition, etc? Historically, the Bible
has been employed to legitimate colonialism, slavery, and, among other not
so noble endeavors, the subjugation of women. Maybe it would be well for more
Christians to recall the words of Jesus when he said, “First take the log
out of your own eye so you can see to take the spec out of your brother’s.”
Here in Israel, I see Jewish extremists up close and first hand as much as
I have seen Islamic extremists, but would that entitle me to characterize
Judaism as purely violent? No religion is so simple to be characterized this
way. To do so is the essence of bigotry and it is inconsistent with American
religious values, or at least it should be. But I see this happening in America.
Some critics of the so-called ground zero mosque project recall the Holocaust when Jews were lured into concentration camps under the pretense that these were actually holiday camps. The implicit warning is that evil is usually disguised and the mosque project is actually a cover for a more sinister ambition. The essence of evil is indeed its disguise, which is why I object so strenuously to the pretentions of so many of the critics of the development of the community center. They masquerade as credible commentators, while disseminating, not just misinformation, but hate talk.
I also think it is absolutely right to recall the memory of the Holocaust, because the stereotyping of Muslims and Islam that is going on today in America and elsewhere strikes me as being eerily reminiscent of the stereotyping of Jews in the early 1930's in Nazi Germany, not only as "the other" but "other" in a seditious, sinister way. I am writing this comment from a place where the words "Never again" have deep, personal meaning for a lot of people. To me, never again means never again against anybody or any religion. It is well to remember that before there were gas chambers there were racial, religious and ethnic stereotyping that dehumanized and demonized the Jews. I am afraid this is happening in America today. This time, Muslims and Islam are the targets.
I too am concerned about religiously motivated violence. But my experience has taught me that Islam is far too complicated a religion and Muslim people far too diverse, just as much as Christians are, to characterize them in one rather negative way. Western suspicion and mistrust of peoples of the East is deeply rooted. It sees the peoples of the East as inimical to our way of life and determined to destroy us. It is ironic that this mistrust is mirrored by notorious expositors of violent jihad. Too many critics of the so-called ground zero mosque have too much in common with the likes of Osama bin Laden. The distance from Jihad to Crusade is not so great after all.
The essence of evil is indeed its disguise, which is why I object so strenuously to the pretentions of so many of the critics of the development of the community center. They masquerade as credible commentators, while disseminating, not just misinformation, but hate talk.
