The BBC reports, A British Teacher in Sudan allowed one of her students to name a teddy bear “Muhammad” in a class activity. Authorities, enforcing an Islamic command against representing Muhammad, arrested and charged her with Insulting Religion, Inciting Hate, and Showing Contempt for religious beliefs. If convicted, she could face 6 months in jail, 40 lashes, or a fine.
This nice lady?
Why does the state have a role to play here? It’s insulting on multiple levels. First and foremost, I am offended by the states authoritarian endorsement of one specific religion, which would not surprise anyone familiar with Sudan. Another facet of insult lies in the states regulation of religious rules. It is one thing to endorse one religion over all others; it’s another thing to become the punisher of religious violations. And it is an unbearable thing
I am insulted because when a government promotes one religion above all others squelches the debate. No longer is there a marketplace of ideas where bad ideas collide with better ideas, not in Sudan. In Muslim Theocracies, Islam is the only game in town. When a government doesn’t allow ideas to compete, traditions go unexamined, centuries old religious regulation created in a specific set of historical circumstances (complete female subjection, scientific ignorance, etc) continue to hold sway over modern times that are devoid of the context the rules were written in. The result is that the religion does not match the time and many of these Muslim Theocracies are the worse off for it. They govern poorly, authoritatively punishing their populations, and they eschew contact and trade with the west, that could help their economy.
More next post!
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