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Commentary - Islam and Unitarianism by Ian Shoales
January 25, 2005 2:24 PM
archivesIan Shoales explores argues that fundamentalist Islam could benefit from a little Unitarian influence. [LISTEN]
WHITNEY: And now it's time for a personal commentary. Commentaries are going to be a regular feature of Western Skies, and we're looking for people who have something to say. If you'd like to comment on our show, stay tuned for details on how you can get your opinion on the air.
This week, San Francisco-based commentator Ian Shoales argues that fundamentalist Islam could benefit from a little Unitarianism.
IAN SHOALES: I couldn't tell you the difference between a Sunni and a Shi-ite, frankly, any more than I could tell you the difference between a Southern Baptist and a Pentacostal. I don't doubt that members of any of these groups could spend hours outlining their beliefs for me, in the hope of winning me over. Fat chance.
However, I did spend a recent Friday night at a lefty social event at a Unitarian Church. Now, I have spent many hours in Unitarian Churches over the years. Because Unitarianism is more than a religion, it's a locus, at which musicians and performance artists can gather and do their thing, without fear of being accused of blasphemy, or even simple bad taste.
After the event, a guy came up to me, and said, "You know what the world needs? A Muslim version of Unitarianism."
I went home and thought about it, and realized the guy was right. Unitarian Universalism, after all, believes that personal experience is the final authority in any religious belief. It has no creed, but instead draws on any old question anybody has, to create a liberal community, in which God is not an angry god, but more of a vague chum. A vague chum who likes study groups and bad poetry. In Unitarianism, spirituality trumps belief.
I hope no Muslim extremist comes after me for this, but it seems to me that just as Unitarianism is a useful offset to the rather rigid evangelical mindset, some equivalent could prove useful in Islam.
Think of it. Instead of minarets and mosques - multi-purpose rooms lit by fluorescent lights. Oh, you can still pray to Mecca five times a day, but it's your personal choice. Ditto with fasting and jihads. Ululate or not, it's up to you.
And eventually, perhaps, these two strands of this ecumenical impulse could meet. And the new left, under its umbrella, would go door to door in pairs, like Mormons, only instead of bearing Bibles or Books of Mormon, they would offer Manufacturing Consent by Noam Chomsky.
I can't wait. Sure, Unitarianism can be boring, and are probably more responsible than any other social entity for the fact that bland folk music is still being performed. But Unitarians don't blow anybody up. Between being blown up, and having to listen to bland folk music, well, it's a toss-up, sure, but for me bland folk music wins. I gotta go.
WHITNEY: You can hear more stuff like this at www.ianshoales.com.
If you've got an opinion you'd like to share on our airwaves, request a copy of our commentary guidelines. They're available on our website, at KRCC.org. Or give us a call and we'll send you a copy. You can reach us at 473-4801 in the Springs, and toll free at 800-748-2727 everywhere else.
That's our program for this week. Thanks for tuning in to Western Skies. We'll be back next week at the same time with another half hour of news and commentary from around the region. I'm Eric Whitney.
Posted by Eric Whitney on January 25, 2005 2:24 PM | Permalink
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