What Hitchens got wrong: Abolishing religion won’t fix anything – Salon.com

2013/12/10 1 Comment

While I like a lot of what Hitchens wrote, I agree with the tenor of this article that Hitchens and the other “extreme” atheists have it wrong, that religion cannot explain all conflict in the world.

… I would like to suggest a truce — one originally proposed by the Catholic church and promoted by the eminent Stephen J. Gould. Science, the study of the natural world, and religion, the inquiry into the meaning of life (or metaphysics, more broadly) constitute non-overlapping magisteria. Neither can invalidate the theories of the other, if such theories are properly within their realm. Any theologian or scientist who steps out of their realm to speculate upon the other is free to do so, but must do so with an adequate understanding of the other’s realm.

Religion (either secular or theological) does not poison all of society and science should not be feared, but rather embraced. Both can bring humanity to new heights of empathy, imagination and progress. To quote the greatest American reformer, “Science investigates; religion interprets. Science gives man knowledge, which is power; religion gives man wisdom, which is control. Science deals mainly with facts; religion deals mainly with values. The two are not rivals.”

“New Atheists” believe that religion threatens progress and breeds conflict and that were religion eliminated, we would begin to solve the world’s problems. But abolishing religion is not only unfeasible, it would ultimately leave us no closer to truth, love or peace. Rather, we need to embrace the deep philosophical and spiritual questions that arise from our shared existence and work toward a world without deprivation. That will require empathy and multiculturalism, not demagoguery.

What Hitchens got wrong: Abolishing religion won’t fix anything – Salon.com.

Filed under Citizenship, Multiculturalism, Religion Tagged with , ,

Counter-extremism is getting smarter

2013/12/05 Leave a comment

Commentary on the new UK counter-terrorism strategy, praising the broadening of focus to tackle extremism of all kinds, not just radical Islam, and ongoing serious effort to reduce anti-Muslim prejudice:

no counter-extremism strategy will unite us all. Such work lies at the notoriously fragile intersection that separates civil liberties from national security. But for the first time in a long while there are signs that we are moving in a better direction, and have acknowledged some failings in the past. While this week’s recommendations provide us with a foundation rather than a coherent strategy, they are a useful starting point for us all.

Counter-extremism is getting smarter | Matthew Goodwin | Comment is free | The Guardian.

And from the other side of the political spectrum, The Daily Mail takes this tack, which reads it into a broader critique of multiculturalism, defined in UK terms as promoting separateness:

David Cameron: Mistake of multiculturalism aided extremists | Mail Online

For the actual report, well-thought out and written as most UK strategies, link below:

Link to UK counter-extremism strategy

Filed under Hate crimes, Multiculturalism, Racism, Radicalization, Religion Tagged with , , ,

Manitoba Tory leader defends ‘infidel atheists’ remark – Manitoba – CBC News

2013/12/03 Leave a comment

Tone deaf in trying to be inclusive. Imagine the furor if a Muslim leader wished a “happy Ramadan” to infidel Christians, Jews or Hindus or other religions.

If you want to be inclusive – and I will take Brian Pallister at his word – just say non-believers rather than “infidel atheists”, as the universality of the thought of wishing all people well, whatever their faith or lack of faith, is important.

Manitoba Tory leader defends ‘infidel atheists’ remark – Manitoba – CBC News.

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German-funded Islamic studies contested by some Muslim groups | Germany

2013/12/02 Leave a comment

The usual debate between the fundamentalists, who want literal interpretations, and theological teaching more in line with the Western tradition of inquiry (Center for Islamic Studies in Münster).

After all, we don’t need another fundamentalist centre; we need centres that have a more open perspective, not just a mechanical what “is allowed and forbidden in Islam”. And that is critical to allowing participation in various consultative fora and play an active role:

The curriculum is only just being developed, but the attitude in which Islam will be taught is already visible when talking with the professors at the Center for Islamic Theology. Above all else, Mouhanad Khorchide says one must use intellect to understand religion. “The task of theology is to justify religion rationally and to take responsibility,” he said, adding that it’s not about an unquestioning acceptance along the lines of, “I live my religion because it’s there.” And with that statement, he also gives his critics a very clear answer.

German-funded Islamic studies contested by some Muslim groups | Germany | DW.DE | 02.12.2013.

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Muslim countries must tackle gender gap head-on

2013/12/02 Leave a comment

Usual good commentary by Sheema Khan on gender equality issues in Muslim countries. Arab Development Report has similar findings (not all Arabs are Muslim and vice versa of course).

Reflects, in part, the weakness of the madrassas, mosques and Imams in not addressing and advocating these issues head-on. As she notes, the efforts to educate women will likely change things in the long-term, but as we have seen, some of the most fundamentalist and radicalized have benefited from good education.

Muslim countries must tackle gender gap head-on – The Globe and Mail.

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Correctional investigator calls on prison system to keep up with diversity

2013/11/28 Leave a comment

While the Minister is correct that Corrections Canada has implemented a number of initiatives to improve diversity and awareness, the gap in representation between prisoners and Corrections staff is striking, after so many years. Corrections Canada has even developed a hijab for use of one of the guards that addressed safety concerns.

On the other hand, the government suspended a chaplains program that ensured representation of other religions among the chaplains.

Correctional investigator calls on prison system to keep up with diversity | iPolitics.

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Niqab : acceptez et taisez-vous maintenant! | Le Devoir

2013/11/28 Leave a comment

Not a bad opinion piece on the niqab, nuanced, by Karima Brikh, reminding us of the risks of tolerating anything. The niqab represents separation, not integration, on any number of levels. The fact that the daycare workers who provoked the debate take off their niqab when with the children or the mothers reinforces that point:

Je ne crois pas qu’il faille interdire le niqab partout et suis convaincue qu’il ne faut pas s’en prendre à ces femmes, puisqu’elles ne se réduisent absolument pas à leur voile. Je pense que derrière chacune de ces forteresses de tissu se cache une femme avec un vécu qui mérite d’être connu, ainsi que des rêves et une personnalité singulière. Mais c’est justement pourquoi il nous reste encore le droit, peut-être même l’obligation morale, de ne pas normaliser tous les symboles présents qui sont synonymes d’une oppression à laquelle nous ne pouvons consentir. Avons-nous encore la possibilité de remettre en question publiquement le bien-fondé de telles pratiques au Québec sans risquer l’opprobre ?

Sous la gentillesse, on semble trouver une forme de relativisme et même de renoncement. Quand nous disons qu’« au fond, ça ne nous dérange pas », je soupçonne que plusieurs d’entre nous ne connaissent rien de la vie de ces femmes et n’en côtoient aucune. Ça ne nous « dérange pas », car nous consentons à les marginaliser dans leur différence, pourvu qu’elles ne viennent pas bousculer nos habitudes. Et comme nous souhaitons ne jamais risquer d’avoir l’air intolérants, nous n’osons même plus user de notre sens critique. À ce stade, ce n’est peut-être plus de tolérance dont nous faisons preuve, mais davantage de lâcheté et d’aveuglement volontaire. Et ce, sans niqab ni burqa…

Niqab : acceptez et taisez-vous maintenant! | Le Devoir.

Filed under Charte des valeurs québécoise, Interculturalisme, Multiculturalism, Religion Tagged with , ,

Judge me by my ideas, not my religion

2013/11/25 Leave a comment

Margaret Somerville, who writes from a conservative perspective on contemporary ethical issues (e.g., euthanasia, reproductive ethics), complains about being labelled and dismissed as  “a Roman Catholic apologist”. While I disagree with most of her views, I do agree with her criticism of being labelled and dismissed, rather than her arguments being criticized – or supported – on the substance.

Of course, we all are guilty of using labels as shortcuts, whether in political, religious or social spheres, and would all benefit if we would rush less to judgement and suspend our “automatic thinking”. Hard to do in practice, and I expect Professor Somerville may also have similar challenges.

Moreover, if religious people are disqualified on the basis of their lack of neutrality, adherents of other belief systems, such as secularism, should be dealt with likewise. Clearly, that would be an unworkable situation as everyone would be excluded, because we all have beliefs that guide us. The answer to this dilemma is that all voices have a right to be included and heard in the democratic public square. This liberty right is the correct understanding of the nature of a secular state and respecting it is at its heart. Importantly, as this demonstrates, such a state is the polar opposite of one that espouses secularism.

Judge me by my ideas, not my religion – The Globe and Mail.

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Edmonton police set to unveil official hijab that Muslim officers can wear on duty | National Post

2013/11/25 Leave a comment

Practical example of accommodation (similar to turbans). Highlights again the difference between English Canada and Quebec, where even the more open approaches to accommodation (i.e., Bouchard-Taylor) would not accommodate religious symbols for officials in position of authority.

Edmonton police set to unveil official hijab that Muslim officers can wear on duty | National Post.

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Respect each other’s religious differences: Marmur

2013/11/25 Leave a comment

Nice piece by Rabbi Dov Marmur on interfaith relations and diversity, and how it does not mean sameness. On the other hand, some discussion of the common elements of faith can be useful.

Respect each other’s religious differences: Marmur | Toronto Star.

Filed under Multiculturalism, Religion Tagged with , , ,

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