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April 26, 2008
The Trouble With The Theophobes
[Originally published in Turkish Daily News]
One of the interesting and tell-tale controversies of the past week was the fuss over the recent remarks of Hakan Şükür, Turkey’s famous football star and a pious Muslim. In an interview with daily Zaman, he warned the supporters of his team, Galatasaray, and the other big one, Fenerbahçe, about the impending match between the two. In Turkey, football matches, especially such key derbies, often turn into orgies of violence. But that is very much against the morals of Islam, Şükür noted. And, he added, it would be especially bad to swear and attack fellow human beings during the “week of the holy birth,” that of Prophet Muhammad, in which this match will be played. He reportedly said:
“We are in the week of the holy birth, and we should be worthy of it. We should, in fact, raise our youth and children in the spirit of the tolerance of our Prophet… The fans (of Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray) should come to the stadium with not knives but roses.”
Hakan Şükür’s Blasphemy
Thus saith the football star, and all hell broke loose... Secularist media put his remarks in the headlines and presented it as “anti-secular propaganda.” Daily Vatan wrote critically about how Şükür “tries to insert religion into football.” In daily Milliyet, sports columnist Ercan Güven made the following comment:
“If this country faces much bigger troubles one day, if brothers become the enemy of brothers, if the regime tumbles and the nation falls, make sure that Hakan Şükür will have lots to do with all this.”
Like-minded people on Şükür’s team, Galatasaray, were also outraged. Former presidential candidate of the club, Adnan Öztürk wrote a letter to the current president, Adnan Polat, in order to denounce Şükür. “Our club has always been a symbol of secularism and modernity, and such remarks do not match with our values,” he wrote. He also asked for “the necessary measures to be taken,” which implied that Şükür should be punished or even expelled from the team. Fatih Altayl, another of prominence in the ultra-secular Galatasaray universe, asked for an “investigation” into Hakan Şükür.
I think this whole episode nicely presents a fundamental problem in Turkey. Quite many people in this country, especially those who consider themselves to be the elite, suffer from a sort of neurosis that can aptly be called thephobia. That term refers to the irrational fear from, and disgust towards, anything that relates to God and religion. It is, as American writer Tony Snow puts it, “the absolute, frenetic, run-away-from-Godzilla panic that afflicts some people when they hear the ‘G’ word.” For them any reference to, or symbol of, religion is simply horrifying.
That is what lies beneath the bizarre notion of secularism that the Turkish Republic and its masters subscribe to. In the free world, secularism is a democratic principle that gives people the right to live according their beliefs or disbeliefs. In Turkey, it is the principle that is used to suppress religion, marginalize believers, and ridicule their practices. That is why Turkey’s self-styled secularism is often at war with democracy, and the Constitutional Court declares that “secularism will not be sacrificed to freedom.”
But why are so many Turks theophobes? Well, that is the way that the “education” system and the official ideology have indoctrinated them for decades. The average “white Turk” – the one who thinks he is Westernized – believes that religion must be forcefully pushed to the corners of society for us to be a “modern” nation. The die-hard Kemalists are, of course, the most devout believers in this dogma, but others, including even some “liberals,” have been influenced by it to a great extent. They can doubt the official ideology in matters relating to matters such as the Kurds question, but they very much they share its theophobia.
Revisiting Islamism
The way the term “Islamist” is used in this country, as I have noted in a previous column, is a manifestation of this trouble. In the free world, “Islamist” often refers to one who wants to impose Islam as a state ideology. But in Turkey, anybody who takes Islam seriously and speaks about it is labeled as an “Islamist.” Hakan Şükür, for example, is depicted as such these days because of this abovementioned remarks.
Which brings me to a recent piece by my fellow columnist Burak Bekdil. In his April 23 column titled “Who is an Islamist? Who isn't?” he apparently revisited my distinction between Islamists and Muslims. Among the several descriptions he offered for the former, there was this interesting line: “[An Islamist is]… someone who has a desire to see an increase in the number of observant Muslims.”
Mr. Bekdil can, of course, give any description he wants, but since he defines Islamism as a threat to democracy – which I would have agreed on another definition – we should be careful here. The fact is that, Muslims, of course, can “have a desire to see an increase in the number of observant Muslims.” They can even work hard to make that happen. That is just fine. Both Islam and Christianity are universalistic faiths, and their believers do have a wish to see the spread of their faith, which they see as the path to salvation.
The crucial point is whether they impose their faith, or simply propose it. The former is a threat to freedom, but the latter is entirely justified in a democratic system. Forced conversion is not acceptable, but missionary work is.
Indeed, in an open society, every creed has the right to publicize itself as much as it can. What the theophobes want to do is to deprive religion of this right. They want to make believers shut up so that they can’t mention God or Scripture in the public square.
Only One Idea…
Their psychology is driven by theophobia, to be sure, but they also use a seemingly rational argument. “If we allow a bit of religion,” they say, “how can we be sure that it won’t dominate the whole society?” Well, I can ask the same question for virtually every creed or philosophy. If we allow dialectical materialism to have a say in society, how can we be sure that we won’t soon have a communist revolution? If we allow nationalist ideas to flourish, I can similarly ask, how can we be sure that we will not turn into a fascist state?
Despite the convictions of theophobes, almost every point of view has extremes and carries the potential to go there if all other options are suppressed. "Nothing is more dangerous than an idea,” as Alain Chartier put it, “when you only have one idea." The threat to democracy, in other words, is not religion or some other idea. It is the lack of pluralism.
If you don’t believe me, just look at contemporary Turkey and see how the dominance of one idea, i.e., Kemalism, threatens the whole democratic system, religious freedoms, minority rights, the EU process, and the economy. While the theophobes are freaked out about religion and how it will deprive us from modernity, it is the very ideology fed by their paranoia that is doing that.
Posted by Mustafa Akyol at April 26, 2008 11:23 AM
What is disturbing for me was not what Hakan Şükür said about the derby, however, when we consider "Zaman", one of the big Turkish daily newspapers, it seems to me that there might be a problem.
Because this newspaper always tends to give more importance to Galatasaray, as some players of them are known as the supporters of Fethullah Gülen doctrine, and because of the same reason it always tends to look down on everything concerning Fenerbahçe.
Sport clubs are sport clubs and they cannot be classified by reviewing how their members and players idelogically or religiously are.
This is for "Zaman" 's sport service.
Posted by: Kubilay Ant at May 1, 2008 12:13 PM
This article and others clearly reflect the deep horrific-true face of ultra-fundemantalist secularist understanding in Turkey. Secularists of Turkey has nearly bankrupted in many aspects of life from intellectual arena to the municipality services, from morality to any administrative area whether in state or public institutions. So when any reader especially of western world who are reading the article of Mustafa should not ignore the basic and deep reality of secularism in Turkey giving multi-dimensional aspects of this notion and understanding. So, this article is another shocking intellectually appreciated article of Mustafa that reveals the tragi-comic and desperate situation of ultra-fanatical secularist ideology in Turkey. Thanks Mustafa. Keep on!
Posted by: media warning at May 1, 2008 3:08 PM
In a secular society, the state doesn't meddle in religious affairs. The CHP is doing it all the time. I am getting annoyed by Turkish secularists speaking about their laicism etc. They simple don't know what that means.
In France, the state let people wear what they want on universities, even on high school level - at private institutions - people are free to dress how and what they want.
You are right by saying that both Islam and Christianity are missionairy religions, only the first has a tendency to be aggresive.
The secularists in Turkey have no idea what 'an idea' means...
regards
Posted by: Hans A.H.C. de Wit at May 2, 2008 7:21 AM
The definition of 'secular' for the ultra-paranoid Kemalists is for state CONTROL over religion, as opposed to freedom of religion.
Moreover, if secularism is politics without religion, then Turkey is as woefully Sharia as Saudi Arabia and Iran. The only difference is that Turkey's state religion is not Islam but that woefully inadequate substitute Kemalism.
The TC's constant bleating about how 'modern', 'secular' and 'scientific' etc they are is a disgrace and an insult.
Posted by: Arj at May 2, 2008 2:55 PM
Here we go again...where does this Islamist fury and rage come from? Dear Islamists and sharia-lovers and their Western sympatizers like Hans de Wit or whatever is his name, why don't you just pack and go to Iran and Saudi Arabia? If Turkish secularism is so bad, just go and enjoy your sharia, with stonings of adultresses, compulsory veiling and 78 years Islamic perverts who rape 14 year old girls? Go, get lost, Turkey does not need you.
Posted by: Parviz at May 11, 2008 6:16 PM
Actually Hans has absolutely nothing to teach the Turks about secularism. It is in his country, not in Turkey, an Islamic murderer beheaded a person in the centre of Amsterdam. A little modesty would be called for. Why don't you clean up your own mess before rushing to lecture others?
Posted by: Parviz at May 11, 2008 7:38 PM
"A little modesty would be called for. Why don't you clean up your own mess before rushing to lecture others?"
Ah yes, the predictably snarling and arrogant demand for non-Turkish 'modesty' in all matters Turkish.
"It is in his country, not in Turkey, an Islamic murderer beheaded a person in the centre of Amsterdam."
And of course such murders (of priests, bookshop owners and newspaper editors) does not ever happen in Turkey.
"Go, get lost, Turkey does not need you."
Staggering eloquence, so worthy of praise and respect.
Posted by: Arj at May 12, 2008 4:30 PM
In Muslim countries for a government there's two ways to go. Either you let people do what they want and they make a mess distabilizing the country economically, politically and eventually falling pray to separatists claiming portions of the contry this losing large parts of the country and reducing its size on the map. Or you have a dictatorship keeping the country stable, intact and sovereign where people can roam the streets without ducking bullets. The Republic of Turkey is doing much better than other Muslim countries with respect to the population being moderate and nonviolent. However it's still to early to let some things loose because separatism and fanaticsm is still largely present there. Lets not forget that it was the Mr Arbakan's pro-Islamic party that provoked the military to remove them and to remove from government institutions men with beards and women with headscarfs. More time is needed for the separatism and fanaticism to subside. Till then all one can do is keep the Republic of Turkey as it is.
Posted by: sonny at May 14, 2008 6:27 AM
'And of course such murders (of priests, bookshop owners and newspaper editors) does not ever happen in Turkey'.
Yes, unfortunately they happen. But I don't pretend to lecture others about their policy choices with this insulting air of supremacy. Actually, Western Europe is itself in deep trouble over militant Islam. Are you not aware of this? Too bad. One suggestion: read more.
Multiculturalism at a cost of accomodating Muslim extremists has failed. This is time that those who pretend to teach Turkey face up to their own pitiful reality!
Posted by: Parviz at May 14, 2008 7:11 AM
"I don't pretend to lecture others about their policy choices with this insulting air of supremacy."
You're missing the point. Instead of addressing the points people make, you either a) shift attention to that person's background/nationality, as though in some way changes the issue at hand, or you b) assume there is some kind of personal insult involved, when in most cases there are just observations.
Just because a 'foreigner' points out some unpleasant truth about your country (I'm assuming you're CHP/Turkish nationalist by the general nastiness and aggrssive insecurity of your posts), it doesn't make it an invalid observation.
And yes, like most people, I am fully aware of the problem of militant Islam in Europe. I'm trying to work out what made you think I wasn't aware of it...
Peace.
Posted by: Arj at May 14, 2008 7:15 PM
Arj, you got it wrong. I am no Turkish nationalist. I am not even a Turk. I suggest you give yourself a pause before hurling nonsense on people you don't know.
I am a European, who is just fed up with attempts to smuggle religion into everything. Europe has learned to keep religion down a hard way. And yes, I am convinced that secularism is just as good for Muslims, as it is for Christians. This is why I don't buy into all this nonsense called 'moderate Islam', 'Muslim democracy' and who knows what else. Democracy is better served without adjectives, and democracy can only be secular. To suggest that Muslims need a special, more religious kind of democracy is just rubbish.
I don't care the least whether my posts seem 'nasty' or 'aggressive' to you. Secularism must be assertive. If you have problem with this, then it is your problem only.
Posted by: Parviz at May 14, 2008 11:49 PM
But the whole point is that "secular democracy" has been forced onto a people, the vast majority of whom find the whole notion alien and hostile. Turkish secular democracy is one of imprionsed and murdered intellectuals, torture cells and students, activists and journalists going "missing". I fail to see how this is somehow more agreeable than a party such as the AKP simply representing its constituents and their wishes. When secular democracy means grotesque violations of human rights and a quasi-police state, then the whole charade is futile. Secular democracy should surely mean the expression of differing views and the protection of civilian life, not the nasty clamping down on "dissent" and violations of human rights which has been such a tragic feature of the Republic so far.
As for democracy only being secular, one of democracy's inherent flaws/paradoxes is the idea of a people choosing their own government and if that elected government happens to be a moderate or extremist Christian or Muslim or Jewish or Hindu party, then that's what they should get.
Posted by: Arj at May 15, 2008 10:33 AM
Arj, are you talking about Turkey or North Korea? I see no point in talking to you further. This is way too much nonsense to waist my time.
Posted by: Parviz at May 15, 2008 9:15 PM
By the way, Arj, if you want to get an extremist Christian, Muslim, Jewish or Hindu party to govern you, go and get it! I, for one, am not going to 'get it', even if I was alone, and the whole nation were to elect extremist Christian, Muslikm, etc. party. I will defend my values, even with arms, if need be. Is that clear enough for you? Got it?
Posted by: Parviz at May 16, 2008 1:32 AM
By the way, Jews got extremist government in Germany in the 30s, because most Germans wanted it that way. And here comes a certain Arj preaching about "murdered intellectuals, tortured students" and all this old nonsense. However, if 6 millions are killed, so be it, because this is one of the paradoxes/flaws of democracy. How incredibly hypocritical, disgraceful and inmoral.
Posted by: Parviz at May 16, 2008 1:39 AM
"I see no point in talking to you further. This is way too much nonsense to waist my time."
Ditto mate.
And by the way, it's not "waist" but "waste".
:-))
Posted by: Arj at May 16, 2008 11:30 AM
Congratulations! Found an ortographic mistake made inadvertently and in haste, while writing in a non-mother tongue. I wonder how many languages do you speak?
So you feel better now, you secularophobic fan of extremist Christians, Jews, Hindus and, of course, Muslims?
Posted by: Parviz at May 16, 2008 7:55 PM
Parviz mate your lacking intellectual form. This is meant to be a blog for rational thought and exchange of ideas. I am finding it difficult to understand what are you defending? Are you defending Secularism. If you are defending Secularism then you have failed miserably. Secularism must entail freedom of religion, not freedom from religion and curbing freedom.
There are 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide so therefore there are going to be stupid acts by people who are Muslim. Blaming Islam for this act is sheer stupidity.
As for your argument that Multiculturalism has failed to accomodate Islam has failed is wrong. My advice look at Australia, there are many Muslims in Australia who have a happy life.
Blaming Islam for the 'alledged' rate of a 14 year old girl is just another form of stupidity on your part. Justice entails innocent till proven guilty. But your willing to judge a 78 year old man guilty before trial. Just goes to show what level of intellect you have. In my opinion I'm having a hard time believing that a 78 year old man can rape a 14 year old girl. But that is up to the courts to decide. Not a 'ratbag' such as yourself who has no idea what Turkey is about.
Oh and I'd like to remind you, the worst regimes in the world have been Secular not Islamic. If you take your time to read the history books you will see for yourself. Countries that come to my mind include, China, North Korea, Russia, Cambodia, and Nazi Germany. These countries leaders weren't Turban wearing bearded men. But clean shaven men wearing the latest model suits.
So next time you come on to this blog I would suggest you get your facts right before you make a total fool of yourself.
Posted by: Goksel Doganay at May 26, 2008 3:31 AM