Liberalism vs. Muslim Extremism

Of all the assaults on the right (Christian or otherwise) by the left in this country that I have witnessed since becoming aware of American politics and world events, one in particular has offended me greatly and made me shake my head (once again) at the ignorance and hatred of the left: the equation of right-wing Christians with Muslim extremists. As far as I know, this view was espoused mostly post-9/11, since before then terrorism wasn’t a global focus. This charge against Christians is defamatory, ignorant, vicious, factually incorrect, and morally wrong. Christians do not seek to convert the world through bombings, threats or coercion. True Biblical teaching does not advocate killing non-believers (“infidels” to Muslims); rather we are called to love those people. Mind you, we Christians often fail at our purpose, and occasionally outright rebel against it, but the teaching itself—regardless of how imperfectly it is followed—is anything but hateful; rather it is composed entirely of love. Thus, anyone who knows a single thing about true Christianity, and has a shred of integrity and honesty, would never level this charge.

That said, I would now like to claim that, if anything, it is liberals who are closer to the members of al-Qaeda than conservative Christians, and here’s why.

Let’s look at the terrorist culture. According to a study by Marc Sageman of the Foreign Policy Research Institute, most al-Qaeda members are not ignorant, murderously inhuman animals filled with an ideological hate for America and/or western culture—which is a common perception. In reality, these men are the elite of the world: highly intelligent; educated in top-level professions as the most prestigious schools; multi-lingual; born, raised, and married into a solid family structure. I quoted the following in a previous post:

Most people think that terrorism comes from poverty, broken families, ignorance, immaturity, lack of family or occupational responsibilities, weak minds susceptible to brainwashing - the sociopath, the criminals, the religious fanatic, or, in this country, some believe they’re just plain evil.

This assertion is just plain incorrect.

Taking these perceived root causes in turn, three quarters of my sample came from the upper or middle class. The vast majority--90 percent--came from caring, intact families. Sixty-three percent had gone to college, as compared with the 5-6 percent that’s usual for the third world. These are the best and brightest of their societies in many ways.
Al Qaeda’s members are not the Palestinian fourteen-year- olds we see on the news, but join the jihad at the average age of 26. Three-quarters were professionals or semi- professionals. They are engineers, architects, and civil engineers, mostly scientists. Very few humanities are represented, and quite surprisingly very few had any background in religion. The natural sciences predominate. Bin Laden himself is a civil engineer, Zawahiri is a physician, Mohammed Atta was, of course, an architect

Another key point: the Muslim population that supports the terrorists from their countries or cultures are mostly uneducated, ignorant, and from the lower class. The madrassas in Saudi Arabia mold the surplus of bored young men into suicide bombers and “freedom fighters” by giving them a vision and purpose in life. Not all Muslims are terrorists, but most terrorists are Muslims, so for now it is necessary to tie them together. Another point to keep in mind: it is undeniable that Muslim culture oppresses women and religious freedom. Interestingly, al-Qaeda members are not particularly religious before joining. Their zeal comes from the bonding involved in community living. For more, see the Marc Sageman report.

Now, let’s look at liberalism. Who champions it? Intellectuals. The best of the best. The elite. They are highly educated and work in the most respected top-level professions. They teach (indoctrinate?) at our universities; they mull over intellectual issues at Washington think tanks.

What ideology is intolerant of other religions? Or should I say, what ideology is tolerant of every religion but Christianity? Liberalism. What ideology assumes by its policies that people are too stupid to take care of themselves, to pit “man’s ambition against man’s ambition” and allow the free market to work, and instead believes that government should solve all our problems? Liberalism. What ideology promotes absolutely no responsibility for one’s actions, and refuses to acknowledge God, absolute truth, or morality? Liberalism. What ideology does the Hollywood culture—degradation of women through promiscuity, objectification, and the doctrine of “sexual freedom” and irresponsibility—identify with? Liberalism. What ideology pretends to protect a woman’s right of “choice” while simultaneously fighting tooth and nail anything that would educate women more fully, such as the risks of abortion and the alternatives to it? You guessed it, liberalism. (That definitely qualifies as oppresion against women.) Besides the intellectual elite, where does liberalism get most of its votes/support? Lower-to-middle-class, blue collar, union-member America.

Let’s recap. In different ways, Muslim extremism and liberalism have the following in common:

• intolerance to religion (especially Christianity),
• oppression of women,
  
• led by cultural elites, and
  
• their support masses are from the lower class.

It is not the Christian right who looks most like Muslim extremists/al-Qaeda members. Note: I am NOT equating liberalism with Muslim extremism, terrorism, or al-Qaeda. I am simply pointing out that the charge that liberals level at Christian conservatives is completely incorrect, and that instead this charge is far more accurate when pointed back at the liberals. If anyone is “aiding and abetting the enemy,” conservatives are not the guilty party.

The rationale “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” has been used often throughout history. Apparently, liberalism has decided that, when it comes down to either conservatism or Muslim extremism, the former is the greater enemy.