Spineless Secularism

Modern secularism, having rejected any eternal, transcendent values and ideals, is strictly pragmatic. It is, therefore, exclusively concerned about what works, what give desirable results, at least for the secularist.

Secularism is also parasitic. It invades economically healthy societies, compromising them economically, morally, legally, and even spiritually, making them vulnerable to an assortment of pathogens – hedonism, moral relativism, and Islam.

How does this happen? Well, for one thing, Islam allows no criticism:

• [33:57-58] Those who insult God and His Messenger will be rejected by God in this world and the next—He has prepared a humiliating punishment for them—  and those who undeservedly insult believing men and women will bear the guilt of slander and obvious sin.

• [33:59-61] Prophet, tell your wives, your daughters, and women believers to make their outer garment hang low over them, so as to be recognized and not insulted: God is most forgiving, most merciful. 60 If the hypocrites, the sick of heart, and those who spread lies in the city [Medina] do not desist, We shall arouse you [Prophet] against them, and then they will only be your neighbors in this city for a short while. 61 They will be rejected wherever they are found, and then seized and killed. (Haleem) 

• Bukhari (59:369) - This recounts the murder of Ka'b bin al-Ashraf, a Jewish poet who wrote verses about Muslims that Muhammad found insulting.  He asked his followers, 'Who will rid me of this man?' and several volunteered.  al-Ashraf was stabbed to death while fighting for his life.

• Bukhari (4:241) - Those who mocked Muhammad at Mecca were killed after he had retaken the city and asserted his authority.

Consequently, even in moderate Malaysia, “Cops seek duo [two people] over Facebook insults on Islam,” (Bernama, April 17, 2015).

How do secularists deal with the Islamic intolerance of free speech? Do they proclaim, as Patrick Henry did, “Give me liberty or give me death?” Or do they take the pragmatic path of least resistance, claiming that “Islam is a religion of peace” and criminalizing anyone who claims otherwise or creates a cartoon or book critical of Islam. In fact, one influential secularist goes a step further to proclaim, “The future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam.”

Principle is routinely sacrificed for short-term comfort. Liberty and freedoms of speech and religion are sold in exchange for pleasure. Justice is a commodity freely replaced for a fleeting measure of peace.

What will happen if Muslims attack the offices of Facebook, as they had Charlie Hebdo, because Facebook allows articles critical of Islam? Would the secularists stand against this or would they declare, “The future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam?” I think we already know the answer.

Society cannot consistently be nourished by modern secular pragmatism and stand. It will fall to those of conviction, even malevolent conviction. Instead, society must re-embrace its eternal foundation of truth.