The Hypocritical Sensitivities of the Liberal Class

While I think it appropriate for Muslims (and any decent human being of any religious orientation or none) to condemn wanton acts of violence, I find the (by now ritual) expectation that Muslims must (1) condemn any act of violence alleged to have been committed by Muslims and (2) assert that Islam is a “religion of peace that is being hijacked by extremists” deeply disturbing.

What disturbs me is the double-standard applied by those who adhere to the aforementioned (by now ritual) expectation. If an analogous standard were applied to Christians, Jews, and/or U. S. citizens (regardless of religious affiliation), there would be little time in the day to do anything else but make such condemnations and assertions (about Christianity, Judaism, American patriotism and nationalism)--what with the level of routine violence that characterizes American society at home and its direct exportation to Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Yemen, and the occupied territories of Palestine. Not to mention, of course, its indirect exportation (i.e., via surrogates) to India and Indonesia, to Egypt and the Sudan, to Somalia and Latin and South America, indeed, to much of the world.

It should simply be presumed that law abiding citizens of whatever nation or creed object to criminality whenever and wherever it occurs. No one should have to live under a cloud of suspicion concerning actions for which they are not responsible. No one need apologize for another person’s criminality.

Those of us who are American citizens are responsible (in theory, at least) for the actions of our government; we claim to possess a government “of, by, and for the people.” How many of us express outrage at the wanton criminality currently being carried out by the Pentagon, the CIA, and their “independent contractor” mercenaries? We underwrite their criminality with our tax dollars. Do we not bear a proportionate burden of responsibility?

Oh, but it is so much more comforting to wait for the news from the AP or Reuters of some criminal act committed in a foreign country, preferably one with a Muslim majority, so that we can hypocritically call for condemnations and assertions. It is the ritual which we practice most assiduously.

If those who claim to cherish the Sermon on the Mount did so in word and deed, this world would be a radically different place. Likewise, if those who give lip service to Muhammad as the Last Prophet adhered to his commandment to “love for your brother what you love for yourself,” this world would be a radically different place.

Let people who claim to have consciences scandalized by the daily headlines look to their own lives.