I don’t know how many times I have heard of terrorism, wars, or many of the world’s other ills blamed on “religious extremism”, “religious fundamentalism”, or “radical Islam”. These terms become useful in an attempt to associate problems with a religion, while not wanting to criticize the religion itself, and not wanting to stereotype everyone who adheres to that religion. For example the term “radical Islam” is mainly used to distinguish between the millions, if not billions, or peace seeking Muslims, and those who blow themselves and others up in God’s name, and in the name of a holy war.
These terms are misleading, however, because they assume the connotation that people who pursue religion wholeheartedly are bound to be the trouble makers, while the “normal” people take religion as a quaint fancy that is useful in circumstances but should be taken with moderation. This mindset indiscreetly couples religion with culture, and stems from the thought that anything disturbing the status quo must be problematic. Part of why I was interested in coming to Saudi Arabia was to meet people and see things for myself apart from the inevitable spin all news comes packaged in. In many ways Saudi Arabia could be the most religiously extreme country in the world. Anywhere within an earshot of civilization you hear a call to prayer five times a day, and during these times all shops and businesses close down. All food is halal. Alcohol is forbidden. Strict gender relations, along with the other rules are enforced by religious police. All these rules do not govern the heart though, and so here, as it is everywhere else, there is a broad spectrum of people and attitudes. At one end of the spectrum, there are people who admit to only being Muslim when they are in Saudi Arabia, and at the other end there are people who will not listen to any music because they don’t want their mindsets to be altered, and who continue to read the Qoran again and again, despite knowing it by heart. KAUST brings out this spectrum a little more by giving a some freedom, and I have friends with all sorts of mindsets. I have to say, though, that some of my favorite people here, and some of the most peaceful are very religiously extreme. I do not believe all of the same things they believe, but at times it can be refreshing or inspiring to see someone seeking righteousness, and longing to serve God with a pure heart.
I has been said that any kind of extremism is dangerous, but it is dangerous because it is powerful. People sometimes do horrible things when they are convinced it is for a higher good or purpose, and understandably this has left many disillusioned and not believing in anything, but lets not forget that England’s slave trade was ended in large part due to William Wilberforce’s religious extremism. Mother Theresa and Gandhi were religious extremists. It will take extreme acts of compassion and justice to feed the 30,000 children who starve to death each day. It will take extreme faith and courage to fight against the diseases that needlessly kill millions, and it will take a God of extreme love to heal and forgive all the brokenness in this world.
