BY STEPHEN SCHARPER

Feb. 18, 2006

THE TORONTO STAR

How does one interpret Islam amidst the ashes of the World Trade Centre? How does one view Christianity in the wake of Rev. Pat Robertson’s recent call for the assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez?

These examples of religious extremism have become all too common in the past few years. While disturbing and clearly demanding serious reflection, they can tempt us to unwittingly adopt what anthropologist Micaela di Leonardo calls a “synecdochic fallacy” — mistaking a part for the whole — so that these violent elements come to represent the entirety of the Christian and Muslim communities.

Such polarized religious thinking is manifest in Samuel Huntington’s The Clash of Civilizations (1996), which suggests that Islam and Western culture are in fundamental conflict. Huntington argues that Islam is hostile to the Western values of tolerance and democracy, and advocates the United States return to its Christian roots and assert its cultural prowess — a position that has resonance among certain conservative North-American Christians, including, some argue, policy makers at the White House.

Extremist examples, however, can lead to extremist analysis. One can find rich and vastly complex traditions in both Islam and Christianity, far more nuanced, multi-layered and open to dialogue than such examples and interpretations suggest. Although fanatical, violent positions must be part of the debate on religious difference, they should not be taken as epitomizing each religion.

One scholar helping us sidestep this booby trap is Gregory Baum, Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies at McGill University and one of Canada’s pre-eminent Roman Catholic theologians.

In a recent talk at St. Jerome’s University in Waterloo, Ontario, Baum shared his deep concern over the post 9/11 prejudice inflicted on Muslims living in North America, where anti-terrorist legislation permits police to arrest and detain persons on suspicion alone, “suspicion that may be raised by language or appearance,” leaving Muslims particularly vulnerable.

Rejecting Huntington’s analysis, Baum instead embraces the “Ten Commandments of Peace” composed by Pope John Paul in 2002. The Fifth Commandment states:

Click here to read the rest of the article.

Short URL: http://tinyurl.com/yey3lpr