Can Democracy Survive in the Middle East?

Our founding fathers made an astounding declaration to the tyrannical King of England in the late 1700's, stating that it is the natural order of humanity that we are endowed with Life, Liberty, and the freedom to Pursue Happiness. In doing so, they were effectively signing their own execution papers, should a Revolution Fail. But what they did was more than profound in a philosophical sense... it was the essential beginning to a people becoming self governing.

Their basis rejecting being ruled by the King of England was not in favor of rule by a church in their own land, rather a recognition of the basic rights of humanity, and building on that principle, founding a government of the people.

Now it is well discussed that during the American Revolution there were about 1/3 who were "gung-ho" for fighting the British, about 1/3 who decided to stay neutral, and about 1/3 who remained loyal to the crown. The Revolution came about on a political and militaristic front, keeping opposition at bay while maintaining and winning the war.

So now, I want to consider the requirements for freedom, and ask whether the people in the Middle East can actually survive in a democracy, and enjoy liberty.

"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." - Benjamin Franklin

All of the countries of the middle east seem to have a Theocratic form of government... even the more secular countries are still under increased pressure from the Muslim Leaders. The theocratic rule is impossible to contest, because the laws and enforcement of those laws are the "word of god" (sic). And as we have seen in the last few years, the theocratic radicals are highly motivated to fight for maintaining their form of prophetic doctrine by ruling over the people with fear of having "god's punishment" handed to you. This would represent the 1/3 loyal to the crown, or in this case, loyal to their religious leaders.

In countries like Sudan, you are not only killed for being Christian, but you are sentenced to death without trial by the people for allowing a teddy bear to be named "Muhammad". In Saudi Arabia, you are not allowed to make the mark "X" as it too closely resembles the Christian Cross... punishment could include life imprisonment. In Iran you are hanged for homosexuality.

What we see is the ability for a democracy to be created, and to survive... if Democracy, in the crudest terms, simply meant "Majority Rule"... but American Democracy is something different... something that can not exist in that part of the world without drastic changes. American Democracy includes Liberty. The ability to lose a vote, but challenge the outcome... to be wrong, but still be heard... to live how one chooses without fear of persecution or death for choices... the only place where the mind, body, and spirit can be free (current government oversteps excluded - we are talking ideology here). In these countries, you do not have the same respect for basic human rights... You do not have the freedom to protest, not even in order to stay your own execution.

The 1/3 who want change in these countries cannot say so for fear of death. The other 1/3 seem content, until their son or daughter is killed by masked men because they were seen showing too much skin or not praying the correct way.

"Fear is the foundation of most governments." - John Adams

"...give me liberty, or give me death!" - Patrick Henry - March 23, 1775

If Democracy is becoming a gift given to people, misused by electing leadership that promises to harm others for political or religious gain... then Democracy is little more than a mob rule. We can fight to give it to any and all countries.. Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine... and it is a gift in which there is no understanding of the meaning, or the intent. The people are sure to squander it, and will find themselves once again in bondage.

But if Liberty is a prerequisite for Democracy, and the understanding of the principles of basic human rights are fully understood... well, then my friends, we will surely see a Middle East destined to be free.

Have we seen signs of this happening? For sure, there have been some. In Iraq, the people have begun rising up against the terrorists, fighting for their own peace. So there are signs of hope... but they are as brief flashes in a sea of despair. One can only hope that Liberty as well as Democracy takes hold in the Middle East, and true freedom and peace will prevail.

Talking to an Iranian...

I recently had an online discussion with an Iranian citizen, and my how interesting it was. The most interesting aspect of it was the discussion regarding Israel and her existence. Of course we talked about Nukes, US/Iran war prospects, who would win and how... all the things that you would expect one nationalist discussing online with another, but from opposing countries.

One thing in particular caught my attention, and inspired this blog. It was during the discussion of Israel. He was trying (poorly) to form an argument in support of the Palestinian rebellion in Israel, while I was rebutting with his own words about people being allowed to live in a land and govern themselves... He made a statement that really helped explain the mindset of Hamas, Syria, and the Iranians...

He said, "We do not hate the Jews, just the Zionists".

So they don't have a problem with Jews, just Jews that choose to govern themselves.

I sat in meditation on this statement, and am continuously astounded by the backwards (il)logic that is in the mind's of these people... Everyone deserves to be free, and govern themselves... unless they choose to do so in a way that is un-islamic...

The statement that he made is "common sense" in Iran... and the fact that he said it so un-apologetically is frightening... not frightening to the effect that I am afraid of Iran, but to the effect that you can kill a man, but it is meaningless unless you can kill the ideology...

Source

Fixing the Middle East

World news... filling the front pages with images of violence, terror, religious unrest. But for what? To what end?

In Ireland, Christian is pitted against Christian. In Asia and the Middle East you find Muslims fighting one another (and everyone else). Africa is home to genocide of biblical proportions...

Try as we may, we (the powers that be) will never be successful in "fixing" the problems caused by religious indifference if we (the people of this planet) do not fully understand how it is that we are all connected.

The three main world religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) have a common beginning... the Patriarchs, none of which belonged to one of the "big three". Noah, Abraham, Moses, they are more than names in a religious text... they are the tie that binds the world together. They were normal men, entrusted with the word of God, and made to be left as a reminder for when the world is lost.

These men did not belong to a church, they did not have religious texts... they were upright men, and in their time that made all the difference.

So in a world full of strife, pain, and torment... instead of world leaders demanding compromise, demanding revenge, or otherwise leading their followers along the same path, they should demand that each and every person on this planet look into their own hearts, asking themselves, "are my decisions upright?" If the inhabitants of the world took personal responsibility for the tears, sweat, and blood of every other member of our planet... well, that would be divine...

God Bless...