The aftermath of the Paris terror attack Nov. 13 has brought worry, fear, anger and protective reaction around the world. The intense search and investigations of the criminals behind the attack have clouded the atmosphere in Western Europe. France is still in an emergency state. Brussels, the capital of Belgium, has been discovered as a hotbed for Islamic extremism. Its police force has been on high alert during the week, and many schools and shops remain closed.
Across the Atlantic Ocean, on one hand, Americans are debating whether imposing restrictions on allowing Syrian refugees to settle in the country would be appropriate for national security. On the other hand, some Americans worry that the terror attack might be used as a tipping point to greatly increase Islamophobia amongst the public. Some argue that the anti-Muslim rhetoric developed recently in America’s politics is a violation of the spirit of freedom of religion.
It is true that freedom of religion is the most fundamental of liberty among all. But people should be cautious that freedom of religion is not an excuse for heinous actions. It is well known that many religious practices of Islam in the Middle Eastern countries are actually illegal in many other non-Muslim countries. Based on the Sharia law, for example, a person who steals must have their hands chopped off. Women — not men — committing adultery must be stoned to death. These brutal punishments are generally not accepted in the rest of the world. Freedom of religion does not mean we should tolerate these inhumane practices in the name of religion. If we leave them alone and do not rebuke their practices, we will fall into the trap of relativism. In addition, for Muslims as migrants, it is less likely for them to assimilate into the mainstream society.
Recently PBS broadcasted a documentary called “ISIS in Afghanistan” that stated that the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant has taken a stronghold in Afghanistan after competition with the Taliban. Despite the small size of the territory, ISIL is able to control all aspects of the lives of people in those areas taken over. For example, in villages falling into ISIL’s hands, children above 3 are required to attend schools instructed by ISIL militants. They teach children what jihad is and how important it is to spread their religion to the rest of the world. Most importantly, they train children to use weapons such as AK 47s, handguns and grenades. They teach them to hate the West and get ready to sacrifice themselves in the name of Allah.
It must seem absurd and horrifying for outsiders. But for those Afghan children, that’s the only education they have, and that’s the only mindset they are forced to accept. They will not be exposed to the ideas of the outside world, and all they have in mind is to kill, to hate and to establish a pure form of Islamic lifestyle around the world.
Religions in this form indeed are dangerous, threatening the survival of mankind. They represent the world’s most narrow-minded, brutal and barbaric religions. History is full of examples in which a barbaric lifestyle took over civilized society. Mongolians destroyed most of the agricultural civilizations in East Asia, Central Asia and Eastern Europe by conquering and massive murder. The more advanced civilizations had no way to defend themselves because they were not as brutal and violent as their enemies.
Of course “an eye for an eye” approach must not be used treating any particular group of religion. But freedom is fragile, and it needs protection, even protection in the form of military force. Mankind could prevent using the resort of force by holding the bottom line of religious freedom. That is to inform the public and children that hate, forcing to convert others, oppressing women and any violence are not allowed in the name of practicing religion.
