An interesting article surfaced in today’s online Globe and Mail. It was written by a prominent figure of religious authority in Canada concerning the headlines of the past month.
He says democratic society fails if it isn’t also honourable. This was the point I was trying to make when I suggested that the publishing of the anti-Muslim cartoons, first in Denmark then more globally, was irresponsible and insensitive.
It’s all well & good to have freedom of expression, but democracy and anarchy are not the same thing. As the author says, “…it is ignorance that has allowed so many participants in this discussion to confuse liberty with license.”
He outlines three pillars of a progressive democracy:
– the participation of private institutions in the public good
– rigorous, responsible and relevant education
– the renewal of ethical commitment
It’s that third pillar that tends to derail the happy train. Who defines morality? He touches on the keystone when he mentions “…the pursuit of human dignity”, but he doesn’t delve into the idea specifically. Thou shalt not kill is a good one, but most Westerners would also say that women shouldn’t have to hide their faces in public. It’s the enormous gulf of gray subjective morality that gets very murky and treacherous when two cultures comingle. He highlights the fact that all major religions preach acceptance and humility but also observes the human failing of self-righteousness.
It’s a good read. I agree with most of what he says. But he doesn’t have the Answer yet. We’re a ways off from a Global Understanding and religion certainly doesn’t seem to be paving the way.