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April 19, 2007
Enough with Christophobia
[Originally published in Turkish Daily News]
A handful of monsters walked into a Bible publisher in the Turkish city of Malatya the other day. They found three innocent people inside: Two Christian missionaries and a worker. They tied the hands and feet of their victims, tortured them, and then slit their throats. It was a yet another day of barbarism in the dark side of Turkish history.
This heinous crime, which the police is still investigating, is latest one in the horrible chain of attacks against the Christians in our country. And although it was perpetrated by a few young fanatics, there are many other “respectable” people that deserve to be blamed for. They, of course, did not (and would not) support this carnage, but they undoubtedly inspired the killers by continuously spreading a sick ideology: Christophobia, i.e., the fear of Christians and Christianity.
It is not rocket science to understand that if you systematically spread the feelings of fear and hatred about a particular group of people, you will pave the way for violence against them. If you propagate, for example, that Jews are evil and they try to dominate the world by infiltrating nations, or any of that sort of garbage, you will soon find self-appointed “heroes” that will draw swastikas on Jewish cemeteries, harass Jewish citizens and attack their synagogues. Similarly, if you depict Islam as a religion of violence and portray all Muslims as potential terrorists, you will call for hate crimes against Muslim minorities in non-Muslim countries.
Falling into Sharia?
The same is true for Christophobia, a mania which has been on the rise in Turkey for quite sometime. Some Westerners assume that this mania should have something to do directly with Islam. A reader from the US, which emailed the TDN today, was denouncing the murderers and accusing us (Turkish journalists) for “allowing your wonderful secular country to fall into the fascism of Sharia.”
Well, that is not the case. First, Turkey is not “falling into Sharia,” and there is no social study which indicates that. Second, Christophobia is not a direct outcome of the presence of Islam in Turkish society. We have, of course Christophobic Islamists, and I would not be surprised if the killers turn out to be among those. But we also have quite secular Christophobes. I wrote about this about two years ago on the US-based National Review Online, in a piece titled “God and Turkey ,” which read:
“’Christian missionaries infiltrating our country! Islam is slipping out of our hands!’ These words represent the epitome of a very hot debate in Turkey in recent weeks. What made them more surprising than ever was that they belonged not to a conservative Muslim, but to Rahşan Ecevit — the influential wife of Bülent Ecevit, Turkey's former prime minister and long-time guru of left-wing, secularist ideology. Nobody had heard Mrs. Ecevit worrying about the future of Islam before; instead, she used to speak about the ‘threat’ of it.Actually, Mrs. Ecevit is not the only secular Turk who is furious at Christian missionaries, whose only ‘crime’ is distributing free Bibles on Turkish streets and opening small, in-house chapels for the tiny Christian community in Turkey. In recent years, the hyper-secular circles who are defined by their attachment to ‘Kemalism’ — the hard-core nationalist ideology claiming to represent the views of modern Turkey's founder, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk — are engaged in a concerted effort against the imagined plot to ‘Christianize’ Turkey. Even Doğu Perinçek, a veteran Maoist and committed atheist, is rallying to the forefront of the anti-Christian crusade.”
In other words, Christophobia, like anti-Semitism, has both religious and secular adherents. And, on the other side, there are notable Islamic circles in Turkey (like the popular Fethullah Gülen movement), which are quite friendly and affectionate to Christians and other non-Muslims.
Islamo-nationalism
All this means that Christophobia cannot be directly linked to Islam. But it is not totally unrelated, either.
I think, both in Turkey and in the Muslim world in general, there are two strains of Christophobic thought, and action, whose ties to Islam should be studied carefully.
The first one is what I would call Islamo-nationalism. Its adherents perceive Islam as an important part of their national identity and see people of different faiths as threats towards it. These threats can be the “imperialist” US and EU — as the 370,000 secularist protestors who gathered in Ankara last Saturday saw them — or their perceived “fifth columns,” which would include pro-Western liberals and non-Muslim minorities. Especially Muslim converts to Christianity are deeply hated, because that they have defected to the enemy.
Please note that these Islamo-nationalists might not be very Islamic at all: for them Islam is identity, not theology. In Turkey, this strain of though is best represented by the ultra-right Turkists, also known as the “Grey Wolves.” Mehmet Ali Ağca — another Malatian — who shot the Pope in 1979, and the killers of Father Santoro and Hrant Dink were all such militants. They hate non-Muslims, but they could well hate non-Turkish Muslims, too, such as the Kurds.
For these people, what the Qur’an and the Islamic tradition say about Christianity is not very important. Their hatred is based on political issues, on which they might agree with some die-secularists such as the “Kemalists” of Turkey.
The Ban on Apostasy
The second source of Christophobia and anti-Christian violence in Muslim societies is a more direct outcome of Islam as a religion. Here lie some traditional concepts in Islamic law such as the ban on apostasy.
Although the Qur’an decrees no punishment for a person who leaves Islam and chooses another religion, traditional Sharia, which is a post-Qur’anic body of law created in the early centuries of Islam, brings a horrible sentence: capital punishment. According to this view, anybody who abandons Islam can be rightfully killed — a punishment which the Afghan convert to Christianity, Abdur Rahman, barely escaped last year thanks to the intervention by the international community.
The reason that Islamic jurists decided to punish apostasy by death in the Middle Ages was that they saw religion and polity as inseparable. Thus, a defection from Islam was regarded as treason to the Islamic state. These concepts have no meaning in today’s world, of course, and they are actually against one of the basic principles of the Qur’an: “there is no compulsion in religion.” (2:256)
It is also worth noting that the ban on apostasy was abolished by the Ottoman Empire by the Reform Edict of 1856. “All forms of religion are and shall be freely professed in my dominions,” proclaimed then the Sultan. “No subject of my empire shall be hindered in the exercise of the religion that he professes.” Unfortunately, some parts of the Islamic world, and even some Muslims within Turkey, are tragically backward when compared to the Ottoman mindset.
Perhaps they should try to re-understand Islam by taking this much-neglected Qur’anic verse, which explains that pluralism on Earth is willed by God, as the cornerstone:
“We have appointed a law and a practice for every one of you. Had Allah willed, He would have made you a single community, but He wanted to test you regarding what has come to you. So compete with each other in doing good.” (5:48)
As a more short-term solution to Christophobia, we Turks need to begin to stand against it more vigorously. Our all-mighty state shows no lack of determination in punishing insults (and sometimes even criticisms!) against “Turkishness” and its perceived sacred pillars. It should also start punishing those who spread hatred against the Christian — or Jewish, Armenian, Kurdish, etc. — citizens. That hatred not only ends in horrible bloodsheds, but also puts shame on us Turks more effectively than any insult could do.
Posted by Mustafa Akyol at April 19, 2007 5:28 PM
Mr Akyol,
I must say, I was sickened by the news out of Malatya. It seems since 1979 there has been no progress on the tolerance front and it has gotten much worse!
I have spent some time on some Turkish forums (Eastern), I just cant believe the amount of hate spewing in these online communities. Of course, the US involvement in Iraq and the steady stream of bloody pictures provide ample excuse for the hate mongers to perpetuate this. It matters not that Shites and Sunnis are killing each other. It is always the Christians, the jews behind everything they say!
I wonder sometimes if it is ever possible to communicate or get through to these people! I just don’t know anymore.
Thank you for your voice (even though it shoud have been in Turkish)
Celal
Posted by: Celal at April 20, 2007 3:30 AM
Your article seems very appreciable but -allow me- ..there are some severe flaws inside, that don't allow you to see the situation properly:
A) "Similarly, if you depict Islam as a religion of violence and portray all Muslims as potential terrorists, you will call for hate crimes against Muslim minorities in non-Muslim countries."...have you seen Christian terrorists around killing Muslims in the name of Jesus?
B)It seems that you give more emphasis on the secular roots of the problem instead to tackle the religious issue
C)...please...enough with this mantra, that it goes “against one of the basic principles of the Qur'an "there is no compulsion in religion.” (2:256).
Again:
1) it is an abrogated verse (I know you don't accept the concept of abrogation (although it is a Qur'anic one (2:106, 16.101 )). So, free to model your own religion..
2) it seems that you don't know the backround of this "revelation". It is Muhammad who speaks to an al-Ansar woman, to whom a muslim boy was given, in order to avoid persecution. It happens that this Ansar Woman was not muslim, so Muhammad in order to avoid the possibility that this young boy could be raised in another faith, through Allah, has given this "order"...you see the problem?
Posted by: echnaton at April 20, 2007 10:40 AM
You're right Mustafa, this ranks right up there with the Isamophobic hate crimes of the West:
http://www.sunjournal.com/story/208385-3/LewistonAuburn/Hate_incident_in_city/
Posted by: BillyHW at April 20, 2007 7:48 PM
A) "Similarly, if you depict Islam as a religion of violence and portray all Muslims as potential terrorists, you will call for hate crimes against Muslim minorities in non-Muslim countries."...have you seen Christian terrorists around killing Muslims in the name of Jesus?
Yes. Crusades, Bosnia, Iraq, etc.
This does NOT mean that I blame it on Christianity, far from it, but I'm just sick of people claiming that Islam is religion of violence because of some of what it's followers do, while ignoring the religion of any other people when they do horrible things to Muslims or to other people.
C)...please...enough with this mantra, that it goes “against one of the basic principles of the Qur'an "there is no compulsion in religion.” (2:256).
Again:
1) it is an abrogated verse (I know you don't accept the concept of abrogation (although it is a Qur'anic one (2:106, 16.101 )). So, free to model your own religion..
This is simply false, this verse isn't abrograted and it doesn't matter if one agrees with abrogration or not to know this. Virtually all muslim scholars and jurists now and in history agree that there is no compulsion in religion, since no one can be a muslim except if he really believes in Islam.
and by the way, verses similar to "there is no compulsion in religion" are revealed many times both in Mecca and Madina.
Please, if you want to study Islam don't go to Robert Spencer!
Posted by: Flash at April 21, 2007 12:41 PM
And since we mentioned christian missionaries (although I am 1000% against this horrible and un-islamic act), it's important also to say that they are dishonest and deceptive (this is NOT that I am tryng to justify the act, I am simply speaking about other general aspect of christian missionaries), and If you are really calling for the unity between muslims and christians to fight against atheism and materialism, then Christians should stop their outrageous dishonest missionary activity (I am not against the concept itself, just the ways they use) and their hatred to muslims and Islam.
Let's face it, Europe is essentialy secular, Christianity is mainly strong in the US. And guess who is attacking Islam 24/7?? The religious right!
Yes, the people you are trying to "unite" with them.
The left are mostly christians who don't really care about athiesm or atheists and agnostics!
I really appreciate your efforts, and I wish if Muslims and Christians can work toghether to end materialism, but the right-wing of the US, and the dishonest and bogus christian missionaries are the people launching war on Islam and Muslims, and they are, IMO, a greater threat to Islam.
Posted by: Flash at April 21, 2007 12:53 PM
Flash!
I didn't know Robert Spencer's websites before, but thank you for the suggestion.
I went through them (dhimmiwatch and jihadwatch, isn't it?) the whole w.e. and...they just confirm more and more that his views (actually taken directly from the main muslim scholars and jurists) are on a sound islamic ground!
Many thanks again!
echnaton
Posted by: echnaton at April 22, 2007 10:57 PM
Flash!
I didn't know Robert Spencer's websites before, but thank you for the suggestion.
I went through them (dhimmiwatch and jihadwatch, isn't it?) the whole w.e. and...they just confirm more and more that his views (actually taken directly from the main muslim scholars and jurists) are on a sound islamic ground!
Many thanks again!
echnaton
Posted by: echnaton at April 22, 2007 11:18 PM
Flash!
of course Sheik Abdullah bint M. bin Humaid was just an ex-chief of Justice in KSA!
http://www.islamworld.net/jihad.html
Posted by: echnaton at April 23, 2007 3:26 PM
"And since we mentioned christian missionaries (although I am 1000% against this horrible and un-islamic act), it's important also to say that they are dishonest and deceptive"
Dear 'Flash',
Which dishonest and deceptive missionaries are you talking about ? Could you please provide us with sime 'facts' rather than tell-tales ?
As Mr Akyol points out in his article, part of the witch-hunt campaign ( borrowing Ihsan Ozbek's terming ) relies heavily on slandering the missionaries and their methods, accusing them of 'buying' people. Are you referring to this sort of slanders ? Or do you have something more specific in mind in terms of this dishonesty and deceit.
...Or maybe you have personally met a missionary and s/he attempted to deceive you ?
I am begging for some enlightenment on this issue and your sweeping statement, if you please.
Galatian
Posted by: GalatianFool at April 25, 2007 2:35 PM
Mustafa, I really appreciate you addressing the problem of Turkish Christophobia. This pathology—near hysteria, actually—as expressed by Madame Ecevit (as well as Flash, above) has long baffled me. Turkey is in absolutely no danger of being subsumed by Christianity. I have never understood the alarm in which many Turks view the pitifully few remaining Christians in Turkey. There is actually a far larger percentage of Muslims in the US than there are Christians in Turkey. They are a mere drop in an ocean of Islam.
Unlike Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc., both Islam and Christianity (properly understood) are proselytizing faiths. Each religion claims to be THE truth, rather than A truth. Hence, occasional tension is understandable--though persecution and violence is not.
The concern of Europeans over the rise of Islam on their continent is well-documented. I suspect that part of their discomfort lies in the fact that, for the most part, they no longer offer any authentic Christian counter point. I suppose there is some concern in the US, as well, although there is no persecution of American Muslims (and before someone mentions “what about airport screening, etc.,” I am talking about real persecution, not the perceived victim-hood so common in American culture these days).
One difference in comparing these 2 minority situations, however, is that the Christians have a 2,000-year history in Anatolia. Long before the Seljuks and the Ottoman Turks arrived, what is now Turkey was the heartland of the greatest Christian empire in history. They are part and parcel of the rich mosaic that is Turkish history. It would be a tragedy for both Turkey and the world if their meager presence was finally swept clean of the region. Turkey would be the poorer for it. Ironically, the Protestant evangelicals who seem to be causing the most concern these days, have little knowledge, appreciation or concern for the ancient Christian heritage of Anatolia.
Just some random thoughts. Again, thanks for the article.
Posted by: John at April 25, 2007 6:09 PM
Christian Missionaries hate Muslims? Oh really, I find this absurd claim to be nonsense. Will you be consistent Flash, and also call for an end to Muslim missionaries in the Western world, or is this just a one way street for you?
And whilst I agree all religions have extremists and even terrorists, to lump the Bosnian civil war (which is what it was) into that realm is silly. There were plenty of Bosnian mujahadeen that did things equally as bad as what some of the right wing Serbian extremists did.
Crusades? How about something more relevent. As for Iraq, don't mask imperialism with the idea "christian warfare," it's not a war of religious aggression my country wages in Iraq. Capitalist and Business aggression? That's quite possible.
Posted by: JP at April 26, 2007 2:08 AM
One more observation worth mentioning...
Some stand up one day and say "Turkey is being islamized by the radicals!"
Same people stand up the next day, this time to say "Turkey is being christianized by the missionaries".
You would think it's a joke...Unfortunately, it is not...
Posted by: Galatian Fool at April 26, 2007 7:42 PM
If Robert Spencer is wrong, why does he win every debate he engages in with Islamic apologists? They don't avoid him because he is a bigot, they avoid him because he is exposing the rot within Islamic theology.
Consider the Environics poll in Canada which demonstrated that 7-10% of Canadian Muslims believe that killing fellow non-Muslim citizens is a faithful form of political protest. The numbers of people who believe this is 25% (another poll ... look it up on the net), 33+% in Indonesia and over 50% in the Middle East. All the abstract "the Koran says this." and "This is not real Islam" and "Islam was historically more peaceful" are meaningless abstractions in the light of these revelations that a significant amount of Muslims advocate outright murder as justifiable. The Islamic world is in deep denial regarding how their misdirected wrath has stained any claims to a peaceable religion.
Posted by: James Martel at May 13, 2007 6:55 PM