Religion, Secularism and Secret Services

The conflict/polarization over reactionary movements and secularism in Turkey, which is essentially based on political and administrational considerations, has a striking aspect:

The circles called "secularist," though disguised under implicit philosophical ideas, are basically Islamophobic. At least, they always maintain a cold and distant attitude towards Islam to make it look ordinary. A university rector let the cat out of the bag a few days ago when he said, "I wish Anatolia had not converted to Islam." Several fallacies claiming Islam is the reason for Turkey's underdevelopment and that reason and the sciences are ignored in Islam, have long been fanatically defended by these people as if they were scientific thoughts.

This approach, in fact, has a historical, cultural and sociological basis. Fethullah Gülen summarizes this point very concisely in his editorials in the April 1999 and April 2004 issues of Yeni Umit Magazine:

"Europe's scientific philosophy and methodology, for special reasons, has caused a continuous struggle between science and religion, a conflict between mind and reason, in the entire Western world. This has been the main reason for the endless depressions in almost all Western systems for centuries. In addition, this scientific and philosophical front that emerged in reaction only against Church dogmas, within time, turned into an attitude that targeted all religious thoughts and became a shield for atheism. Islam, absolutely innocent, has also been affected by this antagonist attitude towards all religions."

"This movement that previously fought against Church dogmas in the name of free thought and science was later transformed into enmity against God and religion, and an effort to silence, assimilate, pressure and even eradicate pious people all over the world. Though the Muslim world never had any conflict with science and free thought, the enemies of Islam ignored this difference and attacked it impudently, comparing it to Christianity."

"After absolute chaos and confusion in religion-state relations, which lasted for quite a long time, the Western world today seems to have solved its problems to a certain extent through the principle of secularism."

Secularism, in the Western world where it was born, is perceived as a method of reconciliation and the main guarantor of the freedom of religion and conscience.

"If secularism is still used as a means of oppressing religion in certain countries, it is because it is not clearly defined scientifically, or because of the enemies of religion, or the secret services that want to cause chaos in some countries. One should bear in mind that the conflict between religion and governments will continue for some more time in such countries." In light of these assessments of Mr. Gülen, the answers to the following two questions will gain further importance:

1. Why is that secularism, a base for reconciliation in the West, has become the reason for conflict, enmity and polarization in Turkey? Though our people, mostly Muslims, have shown no enmity towards secularism so far, why are efforts being made in Turkey to equate all religious people with statements made by certain marginal groups?

2. If conflicts between governments and religion in Muslim countries, strategically important in terms of energy resources and energy routes, are within the range of the interests of secret services, shouldn't we look at all the events in Turkey from this viewpoint?

We need calm heads, respect for each other and to understand each other. The Cankaya Presidential Palace is of paramount importance in terms of reconciliation and embracing everyone. The late Turgut Ozal is no longer there...