I don't like talking about religion. I know that there is a part of me that stores up the rage felt at every hateful and ignorant thing said in the name of a God and just yearns to turn it back, in one massive wave of anger, at every single person that believes it is right to hate and discriminate because of their particular faith and It wouldn't stop until every single one had broken down in tears. And I'm not really very keen to give it the opportunity. I don't want to be that person.
But the events set to dominate this week are distinctly of a religious nature. Today saw the remembrance of the events of September 11th 2001. Whilst there was a clear hope for many that today could be a catalyst to bring the country together and start on a stronger future for all in America, this hope was undermined by a minority with anger as their driving force. In the days leading up to September 11, the vicar of a small church in Florida announced he was planning to burn a copy of the Koran on the anniversary, as a means of protesting the planned installation of an Islamic centre and Mosque in the vicinity of Ground Zero. This was, perhaps inevitably, put on hold due to the intervention of the FBI and other influence from the Government. In retaliation, however, a small group of Muslims burned a US flag outside the embassy in London during the rememberance events. I can only really express my disappointment, but not my surprise.
When I first heard about the proposal to build a Mosque near Ground Zero, I knew instantly it was a catastrophe waiting to happen and, most likely, the straw that breaks Obama's hopes of reinstatement. Whist I could not argue with the intended sentiment and the potential act of unity that would be a worthy beacon to show the terrorists that their actions are not working, it was never going to work. The divide in America runs too deep, the majority too set in their ways for the country as a whole to unite behind a common goal; togetherness. As much as I can hope for this Mosque to succeed as a symbol that religious tolerance can happen, I can understand the feelings of those who see it as belittling the memory of those loved ones that were killed. But, I would beg that those people consider that Islam has also been damaged irreperably by the events nine years ago and that, perhaps, building a Mosque should similarly be a memorial to Islam and its followers, which is now blamed on mass for the actions of an extreme minority with a severely distorted view of their religion.
The thing is, governments rely on promoting an 'us and them' mentality in the public that follows it. It used to be the basis of how the Labour party ran its campaigns, Hitler used it to gain power and America was practically founded on it. It is especially useful during wartime to encourage public support for military action (see the Cold War, the Vietnam War, every Civil War and every act of Empire building ever). It is also highly encouraged by religious practitioners, especially in modern times of Gay marriage and female equality. And so it is that Reverend Terry Jones (at one point "Terry Jones" was trending on Twitter. I wondered what the former Python was getting up to. Imagine my disappointment) feels he must take a stand against what he sees as the Devil's work and announces his plans to burn the Islamic Holy text. Again, I can only say how this disappoints, but does not surprise me. Recent history is stacked full of examples of Christians showing just how much thier religion makes them tolerant. A friend of mine had an encounter like this only today. And they all miss the point of the religion they so dearly love to throw in our face.
I want to point out now, this is not exclusive to Christianity. The retaliatory attack in London by Muslims burning the American flag is just as disappointing, if only because of how much today should mean to Islam as well as America. Similarly, it needs to be remembered that these actions on both sides will most likely meet with condemnation by members of each aggressor's own respective faith and that, in the end, these extreme minorites do not speak for the religion itself. But it wont be. These actions or threats will go onto the list of reasons why each extremist group hates the other and the divide will grow even deeper. Everyone will focus on the label and overlook the ignorant nature of the individual.
And if this crazy religious controversy wasn't enough, we in the UK are faced with our own batch when Pope Benedict XVI, Joseph Ratzinger (not to be confused with John Ratzenberger; or Cliff from "Cheers", like I did), visits the country. If you're living outside the UK, then you may not know that everyone here is somewhat miffed that we're allowing this man of God into the country, due to his being a thoroughly unpleasant and dastardly individual. His actions have allowed a large but unknown number of Catholic priests to avoid punishment (by non-omnipotant beings at least) for the rape of children all over the Catholic world, doing everything in his power to silence the victims and cover up the whole case. Add to that his message to Africa, that condoms help spread the HIV/AIDS virus and the fact this visit will be at the cost of the taxpayer to the sum of around £20 million and it's not hard to see why the country is less than pleased.
Once again, one man's interpretations of a religious text has sparked anger and led to a huge degree of injustice in the aim of protecting the Catholic Church. This man has clearly done a great deal of damage to many lives around the world. And yet we are welcoming this man as a Head of State and showing him our greatest hospitality. And all because he is head of the Catholic Church. It's not even as if Britain is a Catholic country. Quite the opposite, in fact, considering there is still in effect a ruling which prevents any Catholic from taking the throne. So why are we inviting this man into our country when we should be actively condemning his actions?
I am not alone in my thinking this; there are a number of protests planned for his visit, and I'm not exactly saying anything that isn't already well known. But it highlights a point. In regards to the workings of religion, so much can often be decided by individuals with agendas. I have encountered a number of people who would criticise religion as a whole because of what the Pope has done, or what men like Rev. Terry Jones preach to their respective flocks. The actions of the Westboro Baptist Church has inspired a lot of resentment towards Christianity. But, in reality; despite my beliefs that religion, on the whole, is outdated, I cannot lay the blame at what I would understand to be the fundamentals of religion. It is not religion's fault that these individuals twist doctrine to suit their various inhuman needs. The fact is that, throughout history, people have been scared of those that are different and unwilling to understand why they are so different. Then, later on, when something unpleasant has happened, people have looked for answers and someone to place the blame on so that they can be dealt with to fix the unpleasantness. Religion just got roped into this mentality.
I've spent a lot of time writing this, mainly because I felt all I was doing was rambling inanely without really having a point. As a result, I am aware that this whole blog is probably pretty crap. But my point, considering it is probably completely lost, is that if the events of this week should teach us anything, it is that we are still completely blinded by the idea of religion, whether we believe in it or not. It always seems to inspire controversy because it is so easily brought up in any uncomfortable situation in society. But religion is a scapegoat, an easy explanation for something that is much more complicated and difficult for us to accept; that the human race has some serious issues and will always find someway of hating somebody else. In reality, religion is not out to harm people. It's the people who follow it blindly who cause all the problems.
The moral of this story, then; always question the crazy zealot who talks to God.
Hear hear, very good my boy!
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