I didn't know what to think except to go straight into my usual anti-religion rhetoric, about how all religions, or Abrahamic religions specifically, despite claims to the contrary has been the cause of so much wars, oppression and brutality throughout history.
I have to clarify that I see "religion" as a human institution created in the name of a deity and dedicated to its worship.
So in this case, it seems the cause of the problem is not so much god who does not even intervene or communicate directly to its most pious adherents. The root of the problem is therefore humans.
We are an interesting species. We are capable of the most beautiful art and selfless acts of love and kindness. Yet, we are also capable of the most despicable acts of depravity and cruelty. Consequently, we can unite together for the cause of a greater and noble good. Yet often, in our pursuit of a greater and holier goal, we sink to depths of evil that even Satan would approve.
We humans have an innate destructive ability to fuck up whatever that is good or divine.
This is not the monopoly of religion even though countless wars, inquisitions and violence were committed in the name of god and orthodoxy.
Karl Marx famously said that "religion is the opiate of the masses". And ironically, in the communists' effort to rescue humans from this feudal and backward superstition while freeing them from oppression by the monied and landed classes unleashed waves of execution, torture and imprisonment thus becoming the monsters they fought.
Likewise the French revolution that overthrew the oppressive ancien regime and the subsequent bloody "reign of terror" with its infamous guillotine.
Fortunately, brutalities in the name of ideology do draw to a close when people see the light, are proven wrong or when logic prevails.
But what if it's for the sake of religion? One where everything has to be accepted by faith as the truth and the ancient, timeless and immutable word of god? How do you convince violent maniacs gathering under a holy banner and who believe that by being extreme can one be more pious and holier, that all sacrifices and acts no matter how dastardl or brutal are for the sake of the afterlife, and where time is not measured in decades or from election to election but for eternity?
In the case of Malaysia where the Islamic identity is conflated with their racial identity, things get more complicated. It's not just the use of the name of god but the perceived encroachment on their political dominance and identity, their exclusive concept of Ketuanan Melayu.
I guess UMNO kind of brought this upon themselves when they tried to out-Islamise PAS after the latter's initial state electoral victory in 1999.
The country is still in the midst of their watershed moment. Whether it comes out of this for the better or the worse is anyone's guess. But what is heartening is the numbers of Malaysian Muslims who came out against last night's attack and their efforts to come up with ideas to counter the extremists' actions and hate. I honestly hope they will succeed.
I've always believe that religion should be a private affair and should never be allowed any room in politics and common social spaces. It causes too much harm than good. And when you look at last night's events and our own AWARE saga earlier last year, I'm sure you can understand why.
Perhaps I am being hopeful. But maybe these attacks might become the catalyst that will bring all Malaysians regardless of race and religion together in unity and say, "Enough is enough. Not in our name and certainly not in our country."
Note:
- I kind of stole the above title from the opening of Art Harun's emotional and moving post "Our Failings" about last night's events that is a must-read. "And as the flames climbed high into the night; To light the sacrificial rite; I saw Satan laughing with delight; The day the music died." American Pie - Don McLean.
- I am also constantly checking Marina Mahathir's updates starting with her Friday 8th Jan 2010 post.
Labels: malaysia, politics, religion
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