At one of the interfaith circles that I have joined, a woman asked why Muslims react so violently to negative cartoons of Prophet Mohammed, or the burning of the Quran – deliberately or not- or anything that attacks their faith? I thought it is a good question. One possible answer is that if anyone had done that in Middle Ages Europe – attack the bible that is – or in 21st century USA- attack its flag that is- would we not get a violent reaction too? Or is it because the human and societal development stage that those responding violently are at, does not allow any negative commentary on things they hold dear. Is it possible to entertain criticism, and resolve it through dialogue when your brain is in the “reactionary” mode? And what are the conditions that create and nurture this reactionary mode?
Ken Wilber talks about the stages of human development, vertical development that is, not horizontal development. Vertical development takes us to higher forms of being and knowing – to put it simply- while horizontal development just adds more skills and knowledge to our repertoire. He had coded them by colors – green, blue, yellow, etc.- and his brilliant explanation makes so much sense. What it doesn’t explain is though the weird combinations of how these “colors” coexist in the same person? How can someone educated and world-traveled become narrow-minded and provincial, and how do they internally reconcile their thoughts and emotions? That is a fascinating question for me, and I keep looking for answers.
In the meantime, our dialogue group keeps working on building understanding between Jewish, Christian and Muslim women. The assumption of course is that religion is what creates all the divides we are suffering from. But does it really? Or are there other agendas at work?
Very thought provoking. I feel like I have come across the same questions in my mind, too. Going to look up Ken Wilber…