The Chronicle: 3/11/2005: From Islam, Pluralist Democracies Will Surely Grow

Print: The Chronicle: 3/11/2005: From Islam, Pluralist Democracies Will Surely Grow: "Malcolm and Jennifer, as I discovered on our way to Marrakech, were part of a rapidly growing movement of Christian missionaries who, since September 11, have begun to focus exclusively on the Muslim world. Because Christian evangelism is often bitterly reproached in Muslim countries -- thanks in large part to the lingering memory of the colonial endeavor, when Europe's disastrous 'civilizing mission' went hand in hand with a fervently anti-Islamic 'Christianizing mission' -- some evangelical institutions now teach their missionaries to 'go undercover' in the Muslim world by taking on Muslim identities, wearing Muslim clothing (including the veil), even fasting and praying as Muslims.
At the same time, the U.S. government has encouraged large numbers of Christian aid organizations to take an active role in rebuilding the infrastructures of Iraq and Afghanistan in the wake of the two wars, giving ammunition to those who seek to portray the occupation of those countries as a renewed crusade of Christians against Muslims. Add to that the perception, held by many in the Muslim world, that there is collusion between the United States and Israel against Muslim interests in general and Palestinian rights in particular, and one can understand how Muslims' resentment and suspicion of the West has only increased, and with disastrous consequences.
Considering how effortlessly religious dogma has become intertwined with political ideology since September 11, how can we overcome the clash-of-monotheisms mentality that has so deeply entrenched itself in the modern world? Clearly, education and tolerance are essential. But what is most desperately needed is not so much a better appreciation of our nei"