How often have we heard the phrase “Islam is not the problem” in relation to terrorist activities and human rights abuses? To those who say this, I ask: Would radical Islamist terrorists exist if it were not for Islam? Would al-Qaeda, the Islamic State and Boko Haram exist if it were not for Islam? Would Saudi Arabia sentence someone to 1,000 lashes for expressing an opinion if it were not for Islam? Would the extremists of the Taliban exist if it were not for Islam? Would atheists in Egypt be jailed if it were not for Islam?
Of course Islam is a major cause of the violent world we live in. But every religion bears responsibility for the global conflicts that have gone on for centuries and continue unabated today.
Politicians and world leaders dare not deviate from a script that is politically correct for fear of their careers, or worse still, their lives, given the fanaticism of those who cannot tolerate a view that differs from their own.
Islam is not said to be the problem and leaders merely blame the radical extremists who, of course, would not exist if it were not for Islam. And, while Islamic religious leaders condemn the acts of violence, they are not seen to take action to denounce radical clerics who spout hatred against non-Muslims, nor do they accept that their basic religion is part of the root causes of terrorist activities.
Until they can do so and openly discuss the evils of present day religion-based hatred and violence, little progress will be made to create a safer world for all.
Humanity has a long road to travel before people will eventually understand that blind faith in multiple gods and religions belongs in the far distant past.
Chris Kaye
Abandon dated law
In some ways, the punishment for blasphemy in Islam is similar to the lese majeste law.
Due to their lack of knowledge and understanding, some selfish politicians, priests and power brokers want to protect religions, scriptures, gods and traditional institutions.
We now live in the 21st century in which the internet, education, connectivity, communication and social media have more power than anything else, but there are some people and groups who want to take humanity back to the past.
For self preservation, some politicians and power brokers in Thailand think that the lese majeste law is more important than freedom of expression and human rights.
If Thailand wants to joins the ranks of civilised nations it should abandon such draconian laws. Such laws put Thailand in the same category as China, North Korea and some Islamist countries in the Middle East.
No religion or institution is sacred or immortal. Change is the law of nature; all facets of human life are bound to change. So are the laws, society, politics, religion and institutions.
Kuldeep Nagi
Violence has its place
Re: "Nothing to prove" (PostBag, Jan 15).
Eric Bahrt (good old Eric is back) claims football is a violent sport.
Like beauty being in the eye of the beholder, violence also has personal interpretations. The world is a violent place, sport being the last of our problems.
Sport is not intentionally violent, but accidents happen. Road rage, rape, murder for personal and religious reasons, and extra-judicial killings should be considered first and foremost, before football.
Mr Bahrt did not want to play football, and he wasn’t forced to. His objections are noted.
Today there are female football teams as well. I wonder if Eric was in the army, or was a conscientious objector, letting others protect his rights and liberties. I wonder what he would think of the army slogan: “The army makes a man out of you”.
David James Wong
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