Understanding key to peace, unity

Sept. 17, 2006

SPECTRUM/Robert Thaggard

I found the ideas expressed in the article &#8220Islam consistent with principles that motivate terrorists” (Frontiersman, Sept. 12) worthy of additional commentary.

The assertion that the fundamental causes of terrorists' actions are rooted in the actual tenets of Islam is a common view held by Westerners unfamiliar with the historical setting and the verities of Islam. But at a time when so many people feel directly affected and/or threatened by terrorism, the dissemination of ideas that incite fear and animosity does additional harm and creates barriers to real resolution of conflict.

The authors of the Sept. 12 article claim that Qur'anic ideas &#8220easily lead to fanaticism and terrorism.” However, I believe the real source of the fanaticism is not the ideology of Islam but the &#8220theocratic representatives” or Islamic clergy. This is an important distinction.

The essence of Islam, as described in the divinely revealed Qur'an, is consistent with each and all of the other major world religions; and as with all other religions, time brings corruption of the essential teachings of the revealed Word. The Muslim clergy has imposed on the hearts and minds of its followers interpretations of the Qur'an that incite young people to blow themselves up and cause mothers to feel proud of their sons' &#8220shahid” (martyrdom).

Here is an example of my assertion. The word &#8220shahid” (martyr) means &#8220witness,” in the sense of one who is a witness to the Truth of God as manifested in the Qur'an, in history, in the world, and within one's own self. It describes a type of person who has clearly understood the deep distinction between truth and falsehood and who, by the example of his life and the manner of his death becomes a criterion (furqan), a standard of judgment between right and wrong.

By fulfilling the principles of The Criterion (that is, the Holy Qur'an) in his life, he becomes an example of principle put into practice, of ideology transformed into reality. Both his life and his death witness to the Truth of the Qur'an, as both are a reflection of the principles found therein.

&#8220Surely my prayer and my sacrifice and my life and my death are (all) for Allah, the Lord of the worlds.” (Qur'an 6:162) I believe a thoughtful Christian, Jew, Buddhist or Hindu could easily recognize this idea as consistent with his or her religious truths.

How this has been &#8220spun” by the Islamic clergy is what infuses it with fanaticism. It may interest readers to know that within Muslim texts themselves is written, &#8220A day shall be witnessed by My people, whereon there will have remained of Islam naught but a name, and of the Qur'an naught but a mere appearance. The doctors [clergy] of that age shall be the most evil the world hath ever seen. Mischief hath proceeded from them, and on them it will recoil.”

Baha'u'llah, the prophet-founder of the Baha'i faith wrote, &#8220There can be no doubt whatever that the peoples of the world, of whatever race or religion, derive their inspiration from one heavenly Source, and are the subjects of one God. The difference between the ordinances under which they abide should be attributed to the varying requirements and exigencies of the age in which they were revealed.

&#8220All of them, except for a few which are the outcome of human perversity, were ordained of God, and are a reflection of His Will and Purpose. Arise and, armed with the power of faith, shatter to pieces the gods of your vain imaginings, the sowers of dissension amongst you. Cleave unto that which draweth you together and uniteth you.”

Recent correspondence from the leaders of the Bahá'í faith to all the world's religious leaders offered this perspective: &#8220There are certainly wide differences among the world's major religious traditions with respect to social ordinances and forms of worship. Given the thousands of years during which successive revelations of the Divine have addressed the changing needs of a constantly evolving civilization, it could hardly be otherwise.

&#8220Indeed, an inherent feature of the scriptures of most of the major faiths would appear to be the expression, in some form or other, of the principle of religion's evolutionary nature. What cannot be morally justified is the manipulation of cultural legacies that were intended to enrich spiritual experience, as a means to arouse prejudice and alienation. The primary task of the soul will always be to investigate reality, to live in accordance with the truths of which it becomes persuaded and to accord full respect to the efforts of others to do the same.”

So with due respect to the fellows of the Ayn Rand Institute that call to &#8220proclaim loudly and with moral certainty the secular values we stand for: reason, rights, freedom, material prosperity and personal happiness on this Earth,” I invite people to consider an alternative: let's continue to investigate and refine our understanding of spiritual truths and seek points of unity with others.

Robert M. Thaggard, CPA works locally as an accountant and is a member of the Baha'is of Mat Valley. Contact him at robert@rmtcpa.com. The Bahá'í faith is the newest of the world's major independent religions. It is the second most widespread religion and has nearly 6 million members worldwide. Basic tenets of the Bahá'í faith include the oneness of God, the oneness of religion, and the individual investigation of truth. Information about the Bahá'í faith can be found at www.bahai.org.