Church-State Relations in Western Societies - Essay Example

How do historic patterns of church HOW DO HISTORIC PATTERNS OF CHURCH RELATIONS IMPACT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF MUSLIM COMMUNITIES AND PRACTICES IN WESTERN SOCIETIES Titus Rock Manickam Order No. 331976 12 November 2009 HOW DO HISTORIC PATTERNS OF CHURCH-STATE RELATIONS IMPACT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF MUSLIM COMMUNITIES AND PRACTICES IN WESTERN SOCIETIES Introduction The church-state relation that exists in western societies has been a conscious decision by states to separate formally from religion. It has come from the time Martin Luther of Germany differed with the church on doctrinal principles and began a separate movement that came to be known as Protestantism. Thus, in some countries in Europe like the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, the state may not interfere with religion but its ruling head may have an extended authority over the church. In the case of other religions also, the state may have no religious authority although there may be secular influence of the state over members of the religious body. Hence, such influence may impact on the development of Muslim communities and practices. Post 9/11, however, such influence has metamorphosed to interference even in religious and social organizations and institutions so much so that the Muslim communities in these states feel discriminated not only due to the differences in treatment as against the majority community but also as against treatment meted out to other minority groups such as the Sikhs and the Jews. Islam in Western nations Anti-terror legislations give law enforcement agencies sweeping powers to inspect individuals, organizations and institutions making members of the Muslim community feel insecure and marginalized. Coupled with other interference in cultural practices such as the wearing of hijab by Muslim school girls, the heat of the state's interferences in their exclusive domain has alienated the community to an extent where it has become difficult to gauge the feelings and intentions of a patriot from a paranoid (Jocelyne Cesari, p65). In a climate dominated by fears of international Islamic terrorism, an oscillation in French public policy between including the diversity of Muslims and favoring specific tendencies has shaped the state organization of Islam (Jocelyne Cesari, p73). Also, different countries in Europe have different opinion and attitudes on Islam. Germany, Britain, and Spain recognize Islam. But some countries like France do not recognize Islam and do not have any Islamic institutions like school in their country. On the whole, the attitude is one of disapproval and discouragement where Islam is concerned. One study conducted by Cornell University in 2004 revealed that 44 percent of Americans surveyed were not opposed to the restriction of certain basic civil liberties in the case of Muslims (Jocelyne Cesari, ch3). Muslim communities, in particular, are currently subject to unprecedented levels of intervention and regulation by the British State. There has been deepening of the 'moral panic' about those allegedly 'in' but not 'of' the West. (Jocelyne Cesari, ch4). Muslim Bureaucratic and parochial leaders Muslim community leaders have invariably been lay leaders and not, strictly speaking, qualified or qualified religious leaders. Their authority is largely drawn from a cultural capital that overlaps with traditional leadership. They may or may not be literate and their nomination in the bureaucracy and religious hierarchy may depend on their popularity ((Jocelyne Cesari, p62). Mismatch in the leadership does not augur well for any community for developmental purpose. Also, unqualified parochial leadership often tends to generate more heat than light. In such environment, it is difficult to objectively work towards progressive goals. The governments in western nations ask for capable and coherent leadership. In western states, the church has played pivotal roles because of qualified religious leaders and capable corporate leaders. In the United States notably, the political scenario rest on the patronage of the church. Notably in the United States, the church plays an influential role in politics. Thus, it is difficult to draw parallels between the treatment of the state in relation to the church and treatment of the state in relation to Muslim religious and cultural bodies. In the case of Muslim individuals and organizations, the state appears to tar all individuals and organizations with one single brush. However, in the event the perpetrators of 9/11 happened to be members of any other religion, would the treatment meted out to members of such religion be the same as that being meted out to Muslim individuals and organizations The answer to this question is not simple although it does imply the lack of trust the state appears to portray when the perpetrators happen to be Muslims. It also implies the huge responsibility it places on Muslim individuals and organizations to show their loyalty to their state of residence. The blame game The history of the church does some light on the states' treatment of Muslims. The church has not always been as benign as it is now. The church had problems with William Tyndale, Martin Luther, Galileo, and a host of other personalities who differed with the generally accepted tenets of Christianity that then existed (William Tyndale). The approach to dissent and opposition may have changed in the church. However, they continue to exist politically. In the current scenario, western states and Muslim individuals and organizations continue to blame each other for the present state of affairs involving each other. There is the well-meaning appeal from some Muslim intelligentsia to the Muslim dispensation to follow the middle path and cooperate with the state (Tariq Ramadan, p9). Cooler sense will prevail between the western states and its Muslim population if there is sufficient safety valve in place to smoke out unwanted intrusions by either side. It has taken time for the church to realize its folly in the cases of William Tyndale and others who did not see eye to eye with the church. Similarly, it is talking time for the western states to contend with 9/11 and the resultant wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Muslims are facing the heat in western states and other countries where they are in minority. On the other hand, western states are feeling the jitters ever since 9/11 happened. Pre-9/11 too, western nations had problems with Saddam Hussein of Iraq, Muammar Gaddafi of Libya, Iran and other Muslim dominated countries like Lebanon. 9/11 has exacerbated these problems to an extent where the western countries are prepared to go all-out for prevention rather than look for remedial measures. Given the present atmosphere of mistrust and indiscretion, it is difficult to suggest solutions acceptable to either side. Nevertheless, there is the chance to mitigate the level of hostility by engaging well meaning and effective leadership on both sides in western states. Conclusion Drawing on the historic pattern of church-state relations may have some role in the present crisis between western states and Muslim organizations. This pattern may also have some bearing whereby limits can be drawn between criminal acts and the average citizen. In normal circumstances, there is always some tension between an individual and an organization in any religion and culture. Such tensions are either sorted out through communication or just ignored. For the purpose of fairness and goodwill, it is imperative to maintain a line of communication that effectively rules out the need for official actions that become intrusive. Sources: Andrew Pierce, Prince Charles to be known as Defender of Faith, 13 November 2008, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/theroyalfamily/3454271/Prince-Charles-to-be-known-as-Defender-of-Faith.html Jocelyne Cesari, When Islam and Democracy Meet, http://books.google.com/booksid=KPZm35XbGn8C&pg=PA50&lpg=PA50&dq=When+Islam+and+Democracy+meet+by+Jocelyne+Cesari&source=bl&ots=C2h-CZiZEO&sig=fCxtDJ5Mi78stF3iJOM3a6IhBDo&hl=en&ei=Cnj6SvTIIcTykAWS4vGpCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CBgQ6AEwBzgU#v=onepage&q=When%20Islam%20and%20Democracy%20meet%20by%20Jocelyne%20Cesari&f=false Tariq Ramadan, Western Muslims and the Future of Islam, http://books.google.com/booksid=0eCu4nXJbUUC&dq=Western+Muslims+and+the+Future+of+Islam+by+Tariq+Ramadhan&printsec=frontcover&source=bl&ots=mWkC_JJAh3&sig=ka7F1hwSoyXwxMcCW6yMYxL1-a8&hl=en&ei=q5j6SveLCoXVkAXclom7Cw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CA0Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=&f=false William Tyndale, http://www.williamtyndale.com/0welcomewilliamtyndale.htm Read More