Western values and us

THIS is apropos Irfan Hussain`s article `Morality and atheism in an uncertain world` (Feb 17), wherein the learned columnist laments the decline in the West of the marriage institution, sexual promiscuity, and lack of belief in a supreme being.

In spite of that, he points out that most corrupt countries happen to be Muslim, while in contrast Sweden and Singapore are the least corrupt countries in the world.

He says Pakistanis are fond of criticising western materialism and boasting of their supposed spirituality without any evidence of practising `spirituality` in their behaviour.

The West changed the modern world. The West`s gifts include a gentler standard of behaviour towards the weak, justice, the intellectual rigour of science and its fruits in travel and better healthcare.

Modernisation and industrialisation have become worldwide as they enhance the people`s standard of living.

All other cultures have been attempting to catch up with the West in wealth and modernity and absorbing substantial elements of western culture.

In order to modernise, and be successful, the West`s message is “To be successful, you must be like us; our way is the only way”.

Science is now a major religion in the West as it has become a change maker and has brought enlightenment which has removed ignorance and superstition and promoted reason.

The scientific progress of western civilisation has shaken man`s belief in God and life after death. Secularism, liberal humanism, and atheism have taken the place of religion.

Unfortunately, Muslim countries neither practise Islamic virtues of charity and compassion, nor Confucian virtues like order, discipline, hard work and loyalty as seen in China, Japan, Korea, etc.

Most Muslim countries are under repressive and corrupt regimes which exploit the backwardness and ignorance of the masses.

The West is alarmed by the rise of Islamic militancy and considers it a threat to its security and welfare. What does future hold for Pakistan when our leadership is corrupt?

ABDUL SATTAR PINGAR 
Karachi

II

AS a Pakistani-Canadian secularist, I applaud the publication of Mr Husain`s courageous attempt to dispel the myth that piety and morality go hand in hand (Feb 17)

Most atheists and agnostics I know were raised in religious families, and came to their positions as a moral choice. Morality is rooted in empathy — in the sentiment at the heart of the golden rule “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

This rule also lies at the heart of the principles of equality and liberty for all human beings, including those that are religious. Non-believers do not have the equivalent of eternal hellfire and damnation reserved for our religious friends as they do for us.

In fact, the most secular countries in the world also happen to have the most pluralistic societies with the most religious freedom.

Mr Husain`s article will hopefully help initiate a conversation that many Pakistanis have not been able to have openly since the 1960s, and bring more rationalists out of the closet.

Considering the events of the last decade that have led to the country`s current conditions, it`s about time.

ALI A. RIZVI 
Mississauga, Canada

With courtesy of DAWN