This column was originally published in the December 24th, 2010 edition of The Kingston Whig-Standard
Recently, the CBC radio program – Ideas – featured Tony Blair and Christopher Hitchens debating about religion versus atheism. I have no admiration for Christopher Hitchens nor Tony Blair and found their arguments merely repeating the formulaic protestations of both sides. As far as I can see, it is neither atheism nor religion but the manipulation of ideas that create our harsh realities.
I don’t have the skills to convince others to believe in God. I admit to being riddled with doubts and unable to put my thoughts into words, but I still have this strong sense of the Power beyond this tiny world of ours. The awe and majesty of the evolving universe makes me believe there is more to life than the possible four score and ten years assigned to some of us. Perhaps my strong feeling that there are consequences for our actions is child-like because I believe in justice, whether it be in the here and now or later. Perhaps it is fear and anguish which makes me believe there is more to me, but my soul’s yearning and searching for a return to the Creator is very real to me.
This is fundamentally religion, but do these beliefs make me and other believers behave in a more moral and compassionate manner here in this world? Not necessarily. There are too many so-called religious people bent on doing harm, and there are many nonbelievers who are moral and compassionate. As far as I can tell, it is not religion or the lack of it which drives men to violence, intolerance and arrogance. It is the nature of the beast, and whether a belief in God helps men to subdue these traits is up for discussion.
At the end of another year and at this time of “Peace on earth and goodwill to all men,” I appeal to the half of humanity that is male.
Don’t get me wrong, I am more than fond of many of you, and I have the greatest respect for some of you. But this is a general plea because no matter how hard we women and girls try, you are still the rulers of the world, still in charge and still creating most of the mayhem. Whether it be within the family, the community or the global world, you males have the upper hand. Although I speak of injustices against women, some of you can be vicious to other men as well.
It is not religion or communism or fascism as abstract ideas which have driven you to see yourselves as masters, not only of your destinies but also masters of all you survey, including women, children, the beasts and the forests of the world.
It was not religion which drove the Mongols to wreak destruction, nor was it religion which made Hitler or Stalin into ogres. It is not religion which makes some men view others as sub-human and therefore easy to eliminate. It is arrogance, hatred and fears which make men violent.
It is not confidence in yourselves nor in God, but rather your insecurities and fears which make you treat others, such as us women, as less than equal. You have used seduction, persuasion, threats and violence to make us feel responsible for your shortcomings and lo and behold, many of us are convinced by you!
We bear the burden of your honour and your lust. Yes, it is up to us to save you from your own lust, yes, it is up to us to behave in particular, circumscribed ways so that you are seen as honourable men of prestigious tribes, and yes, you can feel powerful by raping other men’s wives and daughters. You can justify all this as your God-given right to marry young girls or to marry more than one woman.
I don’t want to be bitter or vengeful because it destroys my soul and curdles my humanity, but I do feel depressed about your general treatment of women and girls, along with other men who disagree with you.
On the other hand, why do some women go along with the inequality and demeaning attitudes towards themselves? I think the manipulation of religion and culture seduces, persuades and controls too many women, while many others who would speak out are silenced by these same controls so that their voices are not heard.
I can already hear angry protestations that I am generalizing wildly. If this is so, then why are there so many silent crowds of men who do not speak out against the injustices and violence they see around them here in Canada and elsewhere?
I was recently sent a sickening video of a beautiful tall woman in a public park who is told to put her hands up so that two men can whip her while she screams in pain. There are crowds of men watching this and no one intervenes, perhaps out of fear, but still their presence condemns their silence.
It took years to eradicate slavery – by Godly men and women. Will we ever see the eradication of tribal patriarchy and cultural practices which justify forms of violence and intolerance and prejudice?
Without hope where would any of us be? So here is a prayer and a toast for another year, and another opportunity for optimism and wonderful change!
