Well I have seen many stupid things in my life and they just keep coming. Do I think that the cartoon causing all of the recent troubles in the Middle East was racist? Yes. Do I think they should have not printed it? No.
I have found this week that freedom of speech is most definitely a cultural item. After debating this topic at length with many different people (Muslim and Christian), it seems that freedom of speech is a cultural phenomenon that we enjoy and expect in the states, but not everywhere else. Here in Syria all religions agreed that you don't have any choice what can be said and not said. You listen to your parents and those in power over you. Never can you just say what you want or feel because it is your freedom; others must come before you. Welcome to the Middle East.
If you don't like some product...don't buy it. If you know something will offend you...don't read it. It is the same philosophy of blaming tv for the ills of society. DON'T LET YOUR KIDS WATCH TV! But alas, TV is the best babysitter and it is easy to blame others for your lack of responsibility. Was this the first drawing of the prophet? Most definitely not. So why did so many people look at it; ogle it until they worked themselves into a frenzy? It's like telling me there are porno movies of my grandmother on the internet...do you think I am going to go look for them? I wouldn't believe you, but I wouldn't try to find them either. I just don't want to see that. That is self control. That is the issue.
I present for evidence this: those with self control sat outside the embassy in Damascus for a peaceful sit-in, some called for a boycott of Danish products, and still some called for political talks...etc. Now the others, the masses, "they", looked for it on the satellite. They looked in the papers, and on the internet and found everything they could about it. Then "they" got so worked up into an uncontrolable frenzy that "they" just had to do something. It had nothing to do with Islam, and everything to do with self control. Go burn something. Yeah! There is a great word for jackass in arabic...and it is used frequently.
I see a complete lack of self control all over this culture. In school, in the streets, in the Souks...everywhere. This place is a perfect example of surrendering to a higher authority without disciplining the self. Sorry to all my Syrian friends, but those that live here know exactly what I am talking about. Kids lash out at each other because they were never told not to. Things get done or don't get done as God wills it. No personal responsibility. People get mushed all the time by cars becuase each individual driver is the only one on the road(in his mind). Laws are suggestions unless they are punishable by death or hell. I tried to discuss the Golden Rule with a coworker and she didn't believe it would have any affect. I quote "if there wasn't a heaven and hell I swear I would take off all my clothes and run through the streets naked and have the sex. What would be the purpose in living, or keep me from just taking your house and killing you?" I find this to be a commonly held belief. Many people have no good will toward man unless there is fear of hell, or reward of heaven. Kohlberg would have a field day with this philosophy.
This led me into a discussion on philosophy and the history of religion. Again two blank eyes staring at me. I would think religious people would know the roots of their religion...WRONG! Not one person I know here can tell me who Zoroastor was. Nobody I talked to knew there are more than three religions in the world,what makes a religion; I would go on but it is depressing.
As per earlier posts I have written about the dying middle class that is the sole survivor to true arab culture. Peaceful, smart, artistic, caring people that hold the key to the past and the future. They were sitting peacefully in front of the embassy the day before it was burnt. They sit talking with one another and religious leaders about how to confront this problem responsibly, and in accordance with Shari'a. They will make plays about this and paint pictures. Many great conversations will be had. Unfortunately all of this will occur within small groups of people that are educated and have self control. The rest are the nameless masses that come like a flood and have no feeling or remorse for their lack of control. They will think that God willed their actions and they are not responsible. They are the majority. Not just in this country, but in most countries. I don't want to paint a picture of Islam and the Middle East being uneducated and dangerous. That would be drawing that picture all over again. The religion and culture aren't ignorant masses, but are most definitely responsible for them. Same for my country and every other.
The best way to have dealt with this would have been to have not said a thing at all. Eventually the crying baby learns to sleep without making mommy come running. If some political wonk needs so much attention that he or she draws a comic like the one in question, then he or she needs a time out! The reaction to this was nothing more than the class laughing at the class clown. It is what he wants and needs to feel important, and will only come back for more.
I hope in time people realize they are responsible for one another whether they like it or not. Religion is how your choose to be spiritual, not how you choose to live your life. If you make this choice it is yours and yours alone. Some people have philosophy, and others religion. Some people live their life dictated by culture, and some by family. Some live life like a leaf floating on a breeze. The only agreeable fact in life, from all types of beliefs and places, is that we are born here on this earth together and can't escape each other in the here and now. Take that for what you will, but I take it to mean that no matter what we believe, and where we are from, we must learn to get along. No zero-sum orientation, no tragedy of the commons, no heaven and hell, just take care of one another. Love each other as humans having an experience called life.
