When Muslims are locked in a box

By MT Webmaster Last updated Dec 15, 2014

Which part of the ‘teachings’ of liberalism and pluralism are an insult to Christianity and Islam? Can we be specific and give examples of the ‘teachings’ of liberalism and pluralism which are an insult to Christianity and Islam? And in what way are they an insult to Christianity and Islam?

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

The first thing you must note is that Jamil Khir Baharom talks exactly like how many other Muslims talk (see the news item below). They use words like ‘teachings’ and ‘insult’ and consider liberalism and pluralism as bad as heresy and apostasy.

When they say ‘teachings’ they need to explain what is meant by teachings. Is it what religion teaches you? Is it what you learn in school? Is it what your parents told you? ‘Teachings’ is a very general word and can be anything. Hence the word ‘teachings’ is a very confusing word. You need to be more specific about what you mean by ‘teachings’.

If by saying ‘teachings’ you mean ‘doctrine’ then, again, you need to explain this doctrine and in what way the doctrine of liberalism and pluralism insults Islam.

Next would be the word ‘insults’. What do they mean by insult? How would you perceive or consider something as an insult? We need examples of what constitutes an insult. Does disagreeing with you tantamount to an insult? Would another opinion or the opposite opinion be classified as an insult?

The words ‘teachings’ and ‘insults’ are two words very often used and which we do not really understand how they would apply in matters of religion. For example, Christianity ‘teaches’ us that Jesus was born 2014 years ago on 25th December. If I have been ‘taught’ that Jesus was not born on 25th December (2014 years go) and if I make an open declaration that I do not agree with the Christian view of Jesus’ birthday would this be what they mean by insult?

What if I go further and state that Jesus, in fact, never existed. Is this an insult? Would this be considered an insult to both Christianity and Islam since Islam acknowledges Jesus, so if I say that Jesus never existed would this not contradict the ‘teachings’ of Islam as well?

Or am I just giving my opinion based on what I believe and in no way insults Christianity or Islam, although it contradicts the ‘teachings’ of both Christianity and Islam?

Now, they say that the ‘teachings’ of liberalism and pluralism are regarded as an insult to Islam. In fact, some Christians also say the same thing: that Christianity is opposed to the ‘teachings’ of liberalism and pluralism. At least Christianity and Islam are united on that belief.

In this modern era we can no longer make statements and pass judgement the way they did in, say, the 1500s. In those days 95% or more of the people were illiterate and ignorant. So you can make statements and come out with rulings and decrees that people will not challenge because the people were too stupid to know better. Today, that is no longer the case. People are educated so they can think and come to their own conclusions. They will no longer accept or believe what you say unless you can support it with evidence or valid arguments.

So, the teachings of liberalism and pluralism are an insult to Islam (and hence to Christianity as well). Explain what you mean by the teachings of liberalism and pluralism. Then explain what you mean by insult. Finally, explain in what way the teachings of liberalism and pluralism are an insult to Islam (and hence to Christianity as well).

For example, if I were to say that Christians have a right to practice their beliefs, would I be considered as propagating the teachings of pluralism and would I, therefore, be insulting Islam? And I were to say that men and women need not be segregated in church and can sit side-by-side, would that be considered as propagating the teachings of liberalism and would I, therefore, be insulting Islam?

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(Bernama) – The teachings of liberalism and pluralism is seen as among the most prevalent forms of insult to Islam recently, the Senate was told today.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Jamil Khir Baharom said the government has identified the forms of insults based on reports by State Islamic Religious Councils and the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim).

He however did not state how many cases of insults were attributed to such teachings.

“This (Insulting Islam) is the result of a string of views that perceive Islam in a liberal, plural sense and the teachings which see religion as an individual’s right which has no relation to other parties.”

“These groups failed to understand and see that the provision of the Constitution agreed upon since independence puts Islam not only as the official religion but also as the Federal religion,” he said.

Jamil Khir was replying to a supplementary question by Senator Johari Mat who wanted to know the most prevalent forms of insults against Islam taking place intentionally and unintentionally now.

He said the government took a serious view of the matter and was working closely with State Islamic Religious Councils and the State Islamic Religious Department to monitor and take the appropriate actions.

Raja Petra Kamarudin RPK