Prejudiced Pretext

A few weeks back a former classmate of mine (let us call her A) posted a picture on Facebook, containing an extract from the Bible and Quran respectively (see below).  

Her opening comment basically asserted Islam as a religion of peace, denying it as a terrorist sect, while implying Christianity as the culprit of violence.

Naturally, when a person posts sensitive or controversial topics – while at the same time having acquaintances from different backgrounds and beliefs –, he/she is bound to attract attention and – most likely – feedback. Thus it came as no surprise when another former classmate (B) responded, citing a number of verses from the Quran that seemingly supported violence, and arguing that Christians do not follow the Old Testament but the New Testament laws.

This is where it got interesting to me. A’s response was that the verses cited by B were taken out of context and distorted by anti-Islamists to support their own propaganda. She then took one of B’s quoted verses and explained at some length the reason and meaning behind it.

What she did not realise however, was that the very words she wrote spoke against her! She admonished others about others about taking isolated verses and using it as a pretext, when she herself was guilty of committing that very act for Exodus 22:20.  I could not help but point it out to A, explaining that Exodus 22:20 was concerning apostasy exclusively among Jews – and that similar writings have been recorded in the Hadith (regarded in Islam as the second most important book after the Quran). As a closing, I added that I was willing to discuss more on matters concerning other faiths in order to deepen my understanding of their beliefs.

During this episode, there were two things that bothered me (other than those already mentioned above). The first was the reactions it received. Within a span of a few hours, the original post garnered a significant number of likes from Muslims (all who I believe were from my country). This goes to show that there are many who would immediately seize any reason to support their own agenda – no matter how flimsy it is –, even in a supposedly professed moderate and multi-religious nation. No need to delve further in the issue – after all, the verse is there for all to see and compare. I mean, why waste time and complicate matters as long as I have proven my point, right?

The second was the aftermath of my reply. The very next day, the first post to show up on my news feed was by A:

Some may take this as her growing maturity in being sensitive and respecting other religions, but I see it differently. By responding in this manner, there are several implications which I can draw in contrary to the above opinion.

Firstly, removing the post without any mention of the aforementioned topic showed that she had no intention to discuss nor think of it any further. Let us just put it out of our minds and not dwell on the issue any longer. No one gets worked up and everybody is happy, right?

Correction: picking this path shows you are unwilling to learn and make an effort to understand the many different faiths around you. Could this be due to misguided fear? Of, perhaps, damaging relationships? Triggering a retribution? Offending others? A misunderstanding of some sort? Maybe it is too much hassle? More likely, it is a combination of all, some more than others.

Deep down, I believe the major reason people choose to this option is the fear of truth. J.K. Rowling deliberated on this concept, writing in the voice of Hermione, “Dumbledore says people find it far easier to forgive others for being wrong than being right” (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince).

It is not easy to let go of one’s pride and foundation, to admit your errors, re-examine and perhaps re-correct one’s thoughts or behaviours. No one likes to be in the wrong. That has ever been part human nature since the time of Adam right up till today, and will remain so for future generations until the Day of Judgment.

This act, rather than demonstrating maturity, displays callowness in the person. When a difficult or unpleasant issue arises, he/she closes his/her eyes rather than confronting it. Real growth is marked by the ability to overcome obstacles. Conversely, running from a problem shows that one is unwilling to change.

Another issue arising from removing the post was that it impeded any effort put in in fostering harmony and understanding of the different religions around us, thus keeping presumptions about other faiths. I cannot foresee A’s actions down the road (only the Lord knows), but I doubt those who took this preventive step would be disposed in discussing similar topics in future. Sadly, many people have this sort of mentality. Which is a pity really; we could have learnt so much from and about one another, even acquiring insights that we may have overlooked from our own sheltered upbringing.

If all of us would set aside our preconceptions and take some time to get to know one another and our respective beliefs, I believe much of the world’s conflicts can be avoided. Just how many arguments, discriminations and wars have been carried out under the banner of religion? As intelligent and civilised beings we ought to be, perhaps it is high time we open our eyes and live up to that description, instead of jumping to whatever catches our fancy and ignoring views which run contrary to ours.

“We must love them both, those whose opinions we share and those whose opinions we reject, for both have laboured in the search for truth, and both have helped us in finding it.”

(Saint Thomas Aquinas)

RFG always.