Spencer Pennington doesn’t fear Muslims, he fears Islamophobia.
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I realized even though I belong to the dominant culture, I feel gripped with a sense of fear and a feeling that it would be wise to keep quiet. The fear is compounded by the recent tragedy in Paris. But why should I, a blonde-haired, blue-eyed, white-skinned Western man feel this way? I don’t fear becoming a victim of religious extremists. I fear the anti-Islamic uproar arising in reaction to the slaughter of the staff of Charlie Hebdo, the French magazine famous for its satire of religion in general and Islam in particular.
I’m not a Muslim; I’m actually a Christian
Like most, I was horrified by this attack. I was aghast that free speech, however controversial, would be met with such carnage. I was also deeply hurt that the perpetrators carried out such barbarity in the name of Islam. Now I fear what will follow.
Why?
From a young age, I was exposed to many different forms of spirituality. My parents, especially my father, taught me to have an open heart and mind. I remember being a child and learning about the lives of both Jesus and the Buddha, or being exposed to the ideals of both Greek philosophy and Native American wisdom. When I began studying religion independently, I was just shy of twelve – and the first religion I began studying was Islam.
I absorbed everything I could about Islam; my father even bought me a copy of the Qur’an. In Islam, I discovered a religion championing the ideals with which I was raised: Tolerance, forgiveness, charity, courage, faith, and most importantly, respect for other religions. It amazed me that the Qur’an affirmed the Judeo-Christian tradition: According to the Qur’an, Jews and Christians are “People of The Book” – worshippers of the One God. The Torah, the Psalms, and the Gospels are recognized as divine revelations prior to the Qur’an. The same prophets, such as Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and Jesus are recognized by Muslims as predecessors to Muhammad.
Islamic history revealed a civilization to which the West was indebted.
Thanks to Muslim scholars, the West recovered the knowledge of Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle, which had been banished in much of Christian Europe. Great advancements in science and mathematics – including our numbering system – come from the the Golden Age of Islam. In cities like Baghdad and Cordoba, the heart of Moorish Spain, Muslims, Jews, and Christians often lived in relative harmony. Indeed, it was common for scholars of all three faiths to work together.
While I was aware of the theological differences between some of my own beliefs and those of Islam, the core message was identical. Islamic inclusiveness was unlike anything I had seen. It was a far cry from fundamentalist Christianity, which proclaimed itself to be the only path to God.
Nearly a year after encountering Islam, the unthinkable happened on September 11, 2001. I looked on in horror as the Twin Towers collapsed and a gaping wound opened up on the side of the Pentagon. My heart ached for the innocent people murdered in the name of God – of Islam. This wasn’t the religion I had come to admire.
I knew there would be a backlash against Islam in the West. I knew that any sense of coexistence that had been accrued by Muslims in the West would suffer. I knew that as a Westerner who had studied Islam, I was an outsider. I learned that it was pointless to have religious debates with other teenagers. Unfortunately, 9/11 provided many of my generation with their first impression of Islam.
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Over the last several years, I’ve continued studying religion. I’ve met some who shared my views, others who didn’t. I’ve met countless Muslims of different backgrounds who were more Christ-like than some Christians. Now, at twenty-six, I’d hope that my perspective is better-rounded: I don’t deny the dangers of fundamentalist Islam – or fundamentalist anything – nor do I deny that several places in the Islamic world are in need of change.
As a student of history, I understand that each civilization faces a Dark Age. For centuries, from its birth in the seventh century through the Renaissance, Islamic civilization served as a beacon of light. Yet, since the rise of Western dominance in the last few centuries, things have reversed. Just as Europe fell into darkness with the collapse of Rome, it seems that now, much of the Muslim world is experiencing its own form of the Dark Ages, and is trying to pull itself out.
Despite all this, I remain convinced that Islam’s core teachings are rooted in the universal ideals of spirituality mentioned earlier. Furthermore, I maintain that these same principles, present in Islam’s most basic concepts, are the principles by which most Muslims live.
I know my view is unpopular in the West, especially after the killing of twelve innocent people – one of whom was a Muslim police officer named Ahmed Merabet – which was committed in the name of fundamentalist Islam. Social media abounds with Isamophobia, this recent terrorist attack only fanning the fire of anti-Islamic sentiment. Just days before this tragedy unfolded, a rally was held in Germany calling for the expulsion of Islam from Europe. Unsurprisingly, following the massacre that took place in Paris, mosques and businesses owned by French Muslims have been increasingly attacked.
This series of events holds me in a dark place.
I’m angry that people were butchered for free speech, controversial or not. I’m angry that another terrorist attack, carried out by fanatics, has only heightened the animosity between Islam and the West. I’m sad because I feel as though I can never truly share the beauty of this faith with others in the West – and how we might learn from it.
I’m sad that those advocating compassion are drowned out by growing hostility. I fear expressing my views at a time when understanding falls before confusion.I fear being an isolated voice, seen as only an enemy. I feel I should keep my views secret. I nearly feel compelled to go into hiding. I feel like a man who does not belong in this world.
Though I hurt, I will always hope for a better world, believing that such a thing can one day be realized.
“He who slays one innocent person, it is as if he has slain all mankind.
But he who saves a life, it is as if he has saved the whole world.”
– The Qur’an, 5:32
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Photo: khanb1/Flickr
I have to say that the dialogue in this thread has been pretty impressive. And although there are some differing views and experiences, ya’ll have done a great job keeping it together. Congrats to all but in particular the author who appears to be truly interested in a sound discussion.
Thanks so much, Tom. Believe me, your kind words are more than appreciated. I enjoy talking with people about subjects such as these; it’s my passion, after all, and I didn’t write something like this on the hopes that people would be silent.
Admittedly, there are still a couple of other replies I need to make! School has kept me extremely busy lately, and I like to give some thought to what I say before I reply. Rest assured, though, replies ARE coming as soon as possible!
My heartfelt thanks to everyone on here for commenting and for their patience!
This is hard to respond to because there is a sliding scale for Islam as there is a sliding scale for Christianity. It hasn’t been that long ago since Catholics and Protestants were killing each other in Ireland. My first experience with Islam was a Muslim family brought a corner convenience store in my neighborhood. They were good people. I found it strange that the husband and wife were first cousins, but that’s their culture. I’ve known many Muslims through work. A guy at work who was deeply religious never mentioned in over 10 years that Christian safety was guaranteed… Read more »
BTW John, I’m a big believer in both St. Jude and St. Anthony. Both have come through more then once 😉
My citation for the Islamic history in my previous post: http://www.thenewatlantis.com/publications/why-the-arabic-world-turned-away-from-science
Hi John, First, thank you for reading my article and commenting on it in so thoughtful a way. It`s greatly appreciated. In many ways, I am in agreement with you. As I said above, I believe that what is taking place is a civilization-wide Dark Age, which I believe every culture faces. You`re right about there needing to be great reform in the Islamic world. I would in fact argue that we are seeing the beginnings of it. Examples could be found in the increasing numbers of Muslims who today identify as “Qur`anists,” or Muslims who personally do not use… Read more »
Sorry Spencer, but today’s Islam is not your great-great grandfather’s Islam. The Islamic culture has been in decline and regression for hundreds of years and it, by all measures, severely lags behind the economies and intellectual influence of both the West and the East. The irony is that modern Islam yearns for a past that it, in fact and deed, shuns. Oddly, the rise of Islamic influence and the single most important reason Arabic science thrived was the absorption of the Greek heritage. To understand this anti-rationalist movement, we once again turn our gaze back to the time of the… Read more »
Tell that to Raif Badawi in Saudi Arabia, who will face 19 more weeks of flogging and then prison, just for “insulting Islam”. Tell that to every muslim who has questioned Islam or become apostates, which is punishable by death and almost no one will defend them. Why don’t you tell them that “Islam is awesome”? Of all the Abrahamic faiths, Islam is proving to be the most vicious and totalitarian. It has an exceedingly poor track record regarding human rights and freedom, which is the opposite of awesome. Criticizing the religion isn’t a “phobia” of any sort (shame on… Read more »
Arden, you’re treading on sacred ground with what you said. But nonetheless, allow me to tread with you. May of 2014. ‘Peace’ conference speaker finds audience affirms Islamic-law punishments “But punishments such as the chopping of a hand for thievery, stoning for homosexuality or death for conversion from Islam are demanded only by the radicals who support suicide bombers and the 9/11 hijackers, right? The average, “moderate” Muslim couldn’t affirm such uncivilized actions, could he?” “To make his point, he asks Muslims in the room to raise a hand if they consider themselves “not extremists.” Virtually all hands go up.… Read more »
Thank you for commenting! You bring up something very important. These Muslims surveyed would not be the sort to carry out terrorist attacks against innocent civilians. That said, many are still holding onto views that cannot work in the modern world — not so much their theology — but certain legalistic practices as outlined in texts like the Sunnah. What this says, as I have already advocated is that there is a real need for social change in the Islamic world and in some cases, this can extend to Muslims living in the West as well. Some of these legalistic… Read more »
Thanks Spenser, we need these conversations so that people learn. I’m glad to see that you haven’t shied away from comments, filter then for convenience.
Best regards to you as well.
As I point out in my article, I know that the Islamic world is in need of great social change. I believe that this may well be an Islamic “Dark Age,” as I point out here. I`m well aware of that young man wrongfully imprisoned and abused in Saudi Arabia and those condemned to die as apostates for leaving the faith, another thing I find to be truly horrible. (As far as the “Islam is awesome” picture goes, I didn`t actually find that; someone here at the GMP did, though I`m not sure who.) Concerning the death penalty for apostasy,… Read more »
“Again, I assert that such behavior is not a part of the spirit of Islam” Not to derail the discussion but I would be hard pressed to see an article that would 1. say “Christianity is pretty awesome.” 2. when discussing issues people have with Christianity say “Again, I assert that such behavior is not a part of the spirit of Christianity.” Countless articles show Christian denominations in negative light. It’s open season on Christianity even though much of Christian beliefs mirror Islam. In fact I know of two nondenominational Christians who converted to Islam because Islam holds many values… Read more »
Hello and thank you for commenting!
I admit that you`re correct. Often times, we`re seeing negative portrayals of Christianity as a whole, too. I hope it`s evident here that I`m trying to establish that it is extremely dangerous to simply paint one group of people all with a single brush. Whether someone is Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Daoist, Sikh, or atheist or agnostic for that matter, we live in a time where cannot afford to be so reckless as to let generalizations and hatred rule us.
Best regards always!
I read your article and think sadly upon the anti-Muslim sentiment that seems to be pervasive in this society. I am (or was) a Christian who became very disillusioned with the hypocrisy of people who acted very unChristian-like everywhere except church. Now I see that Islamist extremists take that hypocrisy to a new level with their intolerance and violence. This, coupled with a very ignorant American populace, has resulted in all Muslims being put under the microscope and idiots with “F*** Islam” bumper stickers plastered on their vehicles. A sad time indeed….
Religious extremism in any form, regardless of who commits it, is an evil we must all take a stand against. I believe that none of the great spiritual teachers of history intended to make this world a worse place. Unfortunately, that has not stopped some from perverting their teachings in order to perpetuate horrible acts of violence.
Thanks for reading and commenting. It`s greatly appreciated!
Warmest regards!
Hi Spencer
Some of the persons that was killed in Paris was not killed because they published drawings of the Prophet but simply because they were Jews.
Hello, and thank you for commenting! You’re correct. At the time I initially wrote this, I had not heard about the Jewish victims targeted by extremists. I have since become more aware of the additional victims in the recent terror attacks on Paris. I will be the first person to condemn such cruel acts of violence as I do here with regard to those who were killed for their depictions of the Prophet Muhammad. Again, I assert that such behavior is not a part of the spirit of Islam. There was also another case of a heroic French Muslim, a… Read more »
Hi Spencer Yes you are right. It did not occur to me at the time I wrote my comment ,but it dawned on me today. Pediga demonstrates every Mondag in Dresten and this was not a one time event. I happens every Monday . Europe is upset and Jews are scared,they leave France in large numbers ,and of course many Muslims as are frighted as well. I see you are a well educated man., Do you understand why so many young men (and some womenn) from all the world join the Islamic State? And why do the West buy oil… Read more »
Interesting! Thanks for sharing your thoughts Spencer.
Thank you for reading and commenting. I`m glad you enjoyed my article. 🙂
Thank you. Thank you for being open-hearted enough to understand the difficult place that the majority of the Muslims of the world have been placed in. I never thought I would have to justify my faith and apologize for the actions of others who take the name of the same god as I do, but run counter to his ideals.
Your post gives me more hope of good in the world.
You`re very welcome. And thank you for your warm reception of what I wrote. There is always hope, and so long as that exists, I shall continue to advocate for peace and understanding. There is also always good in the world, even if we must sometimes dig deeper to find it. Asalaamu alaykum.
I just want to say as a American Muslim woman, thank you so much for writing this post, you’re a beautiful soul! It’s so hard being a Muslim and seeing all these islamophobia, it’s feels great to see some light! 🙂 🙂 🙂
You`re very welcome, and thank you for taking the time read what I wrote. I only wish I could`ve said more. I`m glad I can do anything to help foster goodwill and peace between people of all faiths. Asalaamu alaykum!