Liberal Intellectuals & Truthful Campaigning
One cannot deny the overlying devastation inflicted by governmental corruption within every conceivable aspect in Kuwait; barely functional educational systems and public services, the nonexistence of citizen accountability, national identity and responsiveness, as well as the absence of the slightest indication of a durable and guaranteed future. Yet, our privileged, socially-detached, and holier-than-thou liberal intellectuals have neglected almost every government-induced malfunction and the core of our problems to embark on calling for what they perceive as our top priority; secularism.
Disregarding pervasive government-propelled inefficiencies, many of which are life-threatening, our liberal intellectuals lead falsely-based campaigns in which the general public is dissuaded from attending to their actual grievances in favor of adhering to the interests of a specific group; the liberal minority and the liberal minority alone. What drives the liberal intellectual to disregard the actual crisis of an entire nation - represented in corruption - to call for secularism above all else?
It is because the liberal intellectual feels that religion is the source of backwardness. Plain and simple. And honestly, I don’t have a problem with that, even if it contradicts my personal beliefs. I do have a problem, however, with the liberal intellectuals’ false and deceptive pretenses on which they build their entire discourses and campaigns. Why the dishonesty? Why not disclose the real reasons that propel you to crusade for such a cause?
For that reason alone, I am disappointed whenever liberal intellectual groups are invalidly assigned honesty or integrity. For they may bear good intentions, but they are certainly not truthful in regards to their convictions. Frankly, I respect and would much rather have individuals who are forthright - whatever their convictions may be - than those who reflexively harbor condescension to the veil only to be veiled themselves.
Given, it may be difficult – if not suicidal – to disclose such agnostic-based dispositions to a currently conservative public. However, there are always alternatives to deceit. Always. Such alternatives may include having liberal intellectuals restrict themselves to the small circle of acquaintances that share and bear their beliefs, openly and honestly, rather than have them spout off falsities to an unsuspecting public. And in time, upon further consolidation, such groups may thereupon grow in numbers, legitimately and sincerely, which I favor over their current camouflaged disposition and agenda.
On Religion & Governments
Now that one hurdle has been dealt with, another critical matter must be discoursed on; one that attempts - futilely might I predictably add - to dissuade liberal intellectuals from clinging to their misconceptions in regards to religion, which would truly be a most comforting actualization, for them in particular.
Contrary to popular belief, it is not the ideology - whatever that may be - that creates or demolishes advancement and civility within a nation but rather it is how this ideology is influenced by the people in power; by governments. Consequently, every ideology may be transformed from humane to inhumane depending on the ruling power and the relationship that this powerful agent has with the population.
On that note, under a corrupt government, Islam may be taken out of its original humanitarian context and be transformed into what governmental corruption instills in all of us; sectarianism, atomization, idleness, ignorance, and an overwhelming sense of helplessness. Under such governments, religion metamorphoses into a context that is quite alien to its original purpose; a context that is allowed politicization and therefore fits the needs of a corrupt government.
The same rule applies to any other ideology. Secularism and/or communism may be taken out of their original egalitarian-propelled context and be transformed into tools for repression, such as the case with communist China or secular Israel. Created by a number of atheist Zionists, secular Israel is in constant violation of international laws in regards to human rights. Is it secular? Yes. Does secularism serve its egalitarian goal under such a state? Not by any means.
Does this imply that Islam and secularism are deficient ideologies? Not at all, this merely illustrates that all ideologies are highly influenced by government, by whoever rules people, controls their lives, and holds power over them. Inhumane governments lead to dehumanized people and deficient ideologies; ones that need rectifying rather than annulment. Otherwise, we might as well toss out the entire country down the drain due to its deficiencies in every conceivable aspect.
Yet, liberal intellectuals attribute inequality, injustice, repression, and backwardness (subliminally) to the inclusion of religion rather than to corrupt and nonfunctional governments. This is as illogical as attributing our backwardness to not being governed by Sharia law. Despite being held by their counterpart party, it is the same argument and both arguments are desperately wrong. It is not the ideology, dear intellectuals, it is the ruling power. It’s the government, it’s the government, it’s the government.
And a government like ours would turn any ideology, no matter how humane, into an indoctrination from hell. Therefore, rather than blindly attack your mirage of an enemy, go for the government, not the ideology, just like what many genuine heroes have done over the past decades and are still doing … overshadowed by the spotlight that is undeservedly bestowed upon you; a spotlight that attracts you so, like flies.
Effective Solutions & Root Cause Analysis
Needless to say, supporting liberal intellectuals is quite similar to supporting Islamic groups that politicize religion since both groups are constantly calling for their own interests, which happen to be extremely extrinsic to both land and people, rather than call for the interests of the collective. In addition, both groups vehemently and quite mistakenly attribute backwardness to either the prevalence of religion or its insufficiency, when backwardness may only be attributed to its main source; governmental corruption and the lack of national reform on every deficient and deserving field that is geared toward public interest.
Rather than scapegoating religion, aware, unbiased, and logical individuals would rather adhere to the principle of "Root Cause Analysis", which effectively attempts to rectify problems through addressing their root causes rather than through addressing their manifestations. And since governmental demoralization and the overall lack of governing has left us with a barely functioning state and barely functioning citizens, it is only wiser for all of us to adhere to such a principle rather than to vainly play Tug of War in which losing is inevitable for both teams, and all of us eventually.
Moreover, restraining, boxing up, or opting out of religion in retaliation for its government-propelled sabotage is as irrational as demanding to opt out of education or health-care services due to their government-generated malfunction. After all, one does not opt out of education once governments allow for its deterioration but rather, they mend these institutions or at least try to. Go for the root cause analysis intervention rather than go about riling people up on account of your personal, extrinsic, Western-originated, and cavalier beliefs.
Rather than restrict, confine, or inhibit religion - an act that would leave drastic backlashes on the entire community, as will be pointed out further on - adhere to the above mentioned principle by attempting to re-define religion in a way that would permit its metamorphoses back into its original humanitarian context. Once we re-introduce religion the way it was intended to be employed, we can guarantee secularism .. maybe not formally through transcribed laws but rather, within the mindsets of people. This solution may not be suitable for .. let's say .. the European, but it would be more than convenient for us.
Religious reform is an essential, logical, and promising endeavor and may be executed through various means, of which the most crucial would be to eliminate the politicization of religion, which has had the most negative effects on both citizen and state. Other means may include introducing inspiring and innovative Muslim scholars who never cease to amaze even those who are least spiritual. These actions are only a few ways in which people may restore a religion that has been exploited, violated, and impaired by a Godless Government, humanely speaking.
In any case, religious reform - which is not as scary a term as many liberal intellectuals may imagine it to be - falls upon the people, not on anyone else. So does educational reform, political reform, social and civic reform .. they all fall upon the people since it's the people who would benefit from such reform the most, and there is no such thing as giveaways in that respect, or in any respect for that matter.
Intellectual Liberals & Privilege
It may only seem natural that many would expect our liberal intellectuals to join - if not lead - the people's journey toward reformative change; and any reformative change at that. After all, they're progressive, they're humane, they're educated, and ever so eloquent. Yet, such presumptions are deliriously inaccurate since reformative change - which should always be geared toward public interest - may only rise out of the urgency for basic needs, something that our liberal intellectuals are unfamiliar with, and something that consequently sets them apart from the general public.Religion & Metamorphosis
It is beyond doubt that government corruption is the leading cause for underdevelopment within any society. Under such leadership, people are driven into unawareness, reliance, and a sense of helplessness; the most superior assets for a most inferior government. Inhumane governments cause people to feel betrayed by those whose responsibility it is to ensure their prosperity. This has led millions of Muslims within the Arab world to further cling onto religion not only as a source of spirituality but as a lifeline as well, and as the only powerful agent that has not abandoned or betrayed them as their leaders have.
The metamorphosis of religion within the Arab world calls for two matters; the first is to make an appeal to resist and challenge corruption so as to restore people's confidence as to what they can collectively accomplish, and the second is to approach religion cautiously and respectfully so as not to cause further injury to a people who have been dehumanized for decades. Yet, not only are liberal intellectuals unable to relate to, understand, or benefit the people whom they are so intent on "enlightening", they are also harming the public through introducing ideas that are foreign and quite extrinsic to mainstream culture and religion.
Not only is this inhumane but it also entails the drastic outcomes of pushing the general public into further embracing religious politicization as a retaliation to liberal extremism. Ironically, liberal intellectuals are driving the public into the exact opposite of what they're calling for through unintentionally attacking their belief, which is heavily grounded at the moment. Yet liberal intellectuals cannot see that, for they are detached from the real world, secluded within their own little Utopian existence, and driven by personal interests. Needless to say, running after personal interests serves as a deterrent to any actualization anyone aspires to bring about.
Liberal Intellectuals & Religion Politicization
It never ceases to amaze and amuse me that only a few have been able to find the close resemblance between these two groups. After all, despite their seemingly opposite discourses, they are both driven by selfish personal interests that ultimately seek the benefit of minorities rather than the benefit of all citizens. Furthermore, both groups are excessively ideology-driven, and that in turn leads to their neglecting critically-needed reform, which is government-instigated, so as to vainly and shamelessly campaign on behalf of or in retaliation to religion rather than to campaign for public interest and against corruption.
And the outcome is devastating, not only for the above mentioned reasons but also since such groups are sidetracking ordinary citizens from resisting corruption, from abiding by and reactivating the constitution, and from establishing a common ground in which all citizens - regardless of personal convictions - may unite under the common interest of attaining a better present and securing a better future.
Supporters & Image
For the most part, liberal intellectuals are able to attain support on account of their status as elites above anything else. Plain and simple, yet again. After all, they're educated, sophisticated, and seemingly worldly. And we live within a material-oriented society, one that falsely attributes value to statuses and appearances rather than to what's beyond that; the person within. Unfortunately, liberal intellectuals employ the veil of humanism and elite status to champion causes that are essentially destructive to themselves and to their surroundings.
To Each His Own vs. Public Interest
Everyone is entitled to form whatever convictions they perceive to be suitable to who they are without having to endure judgment from others. We are free human beings after all, with all sorts of thoughts running carelessly through our minds, exactly like they ought to. But proclaiming that one's personal convictions are what's best for all is above and beyond wrong; it's indoctrinating, unjust, and inhumane. Furthermore, liberal intellectuals must come to terms with what democracy truly means and entails, and in order for them to achieve that, they must comply with and adhere to the general public's needs and wants, not only their own. After all, that's what democracy is all about.
Choice & Courage
This is dedicated to everyone who has found the courage to speak up against liberal intellectuals on the same grounds in which they've addressed their similar counterparts; those who politicize religion. For it takes courage and insight - a lot of insight - to step outside of the box for the sake of objectivity and the interest of the collective. This is also dedicated to those who have genuinely suffered from the brutal attacks that these dark Valkyries have inflicted. I am still hopeful though, because so many people within our general public are still culturally-inclined, which may propel some to label them as backwards whereas in actuality, they are the best of us.
