Here's my problem with the Jews and Muslims. Both want sovereign states dominated by their religion. I've debated this before, but my fundamental belief is that is the flaw in both of their cultures. You can't have a country that is dominated by religion and at the same time respect all religions. It's good in theory, but it doesn't seem to work very well. That is why we see the Jews embattled in Israel and why we see Muslim countries for the most part failing to protect their religious minorities. On the other hand, that is why in the U.S. freedom of religion is the norm. The last few years notwithstanding, we've been able to keep religion out of politics and in the churches, mosques, and temples, where it belongs. The other thing that has made us more successful is that we believe in certain inalienable rights, among those, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Those folks in the Middle East are forever going to have problems until they grow up and decide that it's ok for others to believe in whatever religion they want to, and that religion is only a good thing if it includes as its foundation life, liberty, and respect for other people, regardless of their religion. Any religion that focuses on death and is intolerant of others is more of a divisive and destructive cult, not a religion. |
