This morning's Today programme had two pieces, ahead of tonight's Panorama programme, about a plan to marginalise even Muslim preachers that previously might have been thought of as relatively "moderate" (e.g. they might vigorously oppose violence; they might preach that Muslims living in non-Muslim states should obey the law) if they teach that Islam is not truly compatible with Western democracy. Is that the business of government?
For example:
- Many people (though not me) believe that it is good to exclude democracy from macroeconomic management - from managing growth and inflation and interest rates - by having an independent central bank. Is that a point of view government should attempt to marginalise?
- Many people believe that there should be a written constitution to limit the ability of democratic decisions to violate basic human rights. Is that a point of view government should attempt to marginalise?
- Christians, following the example of Daniel (who prayed openly in public even when it was against the law) or the examples of early Christians executed for refusing to worship the Emperor, have always believed that they should not obey Laws - even if democratically-instituted - that violate basic Christian duties such as prayer and evangelism. Are we to be exposed and marginalised for this?
- Many Popes have been sceptical of democracy, and until very recently many were outright hostile. Are Catholic Priests that agree with past papal teachings on this issue to be marginalised?
- [Update with extra example that may convince some readers: Many people believe in all kinds of alternatives to standard Western-style democracies. For example: absolute monarchy, African-style democracy, Libyan-style anarcho-syndicalism, pure anarcho-libertarianism, communism, theocracy, and many others. Is it for the government to marginalise such views?]
It seems to me that comprehension of religious issues by the instruments of our state is becoming ever more lacking.
[P.S. in case of doubt, my concern here relates to government activities. Obviously I have no objection to alternative political parties seeking to argue against and minimize belief in opinions with which they disagree.]
