Christian Democracy and Islamic Theocracy
Lets face it: The essence of Democracy was reintroduced by the adherents of Christianity even before the rise of Renaissance Europe.
In fact, much of what the renaissance teaches are basically the humanistic philosophy of ancient Greece and Rome already being re-discovered and re-written by Western Catholic Christian scholastic writers and monks who came centuries earlier than the renaissance men of the 16th century.
There are a lot to these classical writings by the Greeks and the Romans. The concept of democracy is one of them. The democratic thoughts and ways of these ancients ushered in the present democratic system. And Christianity, which came in much later to scene , saw in these democratic principles the essence of basically one thing: Freedom. Freedom which is inextricably link to the essence of man’s free will. The free act of man to a mysterious calling to be good and sometimes… bad.
This democratic tradition is therefore deeply rooted in the west, and probably molded and tempered to perfection by Christian principles. In fact the term “Christian Humanism” is precisely this blending of the humanities of the ancients and Christian precepts.
The essence of Islam is Theocracy. In simple terms, whatever is dictated by religion becomes law. The Muslims are deeply indebted to their prophet Muhammad, a merchant turned warrior and prophet, who converted people to Islam initially by force. As a testament to this legacy, the sword has become one of their enduring symbols. In fact, the Saudi Arabians even have their flag intricately embossed with a sword called the Kris. After the death of Muhammad, several Islamic groups fought against each other for supremacy.
But in all fairness, Islam, as a religion of peace, has proven itself to be equally rich in terms of culture and other significant achievements in the realm of human progress.
But they were typically of the martial type.They successfully subdued much of Europe for almost three centuries , reached places on earth farther than those of Alexander the Great and the Romans , and planted the banner of Islam in places far earlier than their Christian counterpart .
Today, they comprise nearly half of the world’s total population, and probably more. And not only are their numbers increasing, their theocratic tendencies are also on the rise.
If you notice, many Muslims thrive in places where hard core democracies exist. In England and the United States for example, Muslims are free to build a thousand and one mosques, pray five time a day in every nook and corner, and even complain against authorities for putting up close circuit cameras in public places where they converge. Some even get to enroll in US flying schools and use their flying hours by slamming hijacked planes into tall buildings.
And all these they are able to do because of what we call democratic space.
But Christians cannot even make a head start in hard core Islamic communities. In Saudi Arabia alone, rosaries are banned the moment you step into the arrival area. Along with these banned Christian paraphernalia are the bible, crucifixes, prayer books, and whatever items not related to Islam. Just recently, even Blackberries, an iconic symbol of the west, are banned. In some Muslim areas, Christians have to hear mass or conduct prayer sessions underground.
Now, where is democratic space here? Unfortunately, there is no democratic space.
Because in a real theocratic society, democracy is an illusion.
Now, isn’t this arrangement a bit skewed? And why do western societies allow theocratic principles to sometimes even gain ground right in the middle of their own democratic grounds; and sad to say, allow these sometimes at the expense of real, clear, and present danger.
Just recently in the UK, the Muslim community were against cctv’s; in France they objected against non wearing of black hoods which cover faces; in one Scandinavian country they even threaten to kill a writer for writing against Muhammad.
Do the Muslims think they have already ruled the world once again ? Are we experiencing a second fall of Constantinople? Is Islamic theocracy silently gnawing our well cherished Christian democracy?
Perhaps, its about time for the Christian West to recognize and regain its real identity. Times have not really changed since the Battle of Lepanto. Losing one’s identity as Christians will imminently bring about the victory of the other party, still and mightily waving their banners with the sword.
But, my God, pray tell, … where have all the real Christian soldiers gone?
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