The Poor-Man's Guide to Modernity - Independent Media Center

applicable to one as to another.
Upon this truism is the manipulative jingoism of antiquity to modernity constructed. We see this
from from tribalism to ethnocentrism, and nationalism to patriotism.
It is even the basis of the following formulation in Zbigniew Brzezinski's The Grand
Chessboard: “More generally, cultural change in America may also be uncongenial to the
sustained exercise abroad of genuinely imperial power. That exercise requires a high degree
of doctrinal motivation, intellectual commitment, and patriotic gratification.” (pgs. 211-212)
I mention that not to needlessly digress, but only to point out the universality of the principle
that the article being responded to, has outlined just one instance of.
Recognizing this innate psychological trait of mankind (one presumes) is why the author of the
Qur'an, which Muslims of course believe is the Creator (while other's believe was a lunatic),
makes an extraordinary pronouncement on this very topic in Surah Al-Maeda:
“It was We who revealed the Torah (to Moses); therein was guidance and light.
By its standard have been judged the Jews, by the Prophet who bowed (as in
Islam) to Allah’s will, by the Rabbis and the Doctors of Law: for to them was
entrusted the protection of Allah’s Book, and they were witnesses thereto:
therefore fear not men, but fear Me, and sell not My Signs for a miserable price.
If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (no
better than) Unbelievers. (44)
We ordained therein for them: “Life for life, eye for eye, nose for nose, ear for
ear, tooth for tooth, and wounds equal for equal.” But if anyone remits the
retaliation by way of charity, it is an act of atonement for himself. And if any fail
to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than)
wrong-doers. (45)
And in their footsteps We sent Jesus the son of Mary, confirming the law that
had come before him: We sent him the Gospel: therein was guidance and light,
and confirmation of the law that had come before him: a guidance and an
admonition to those who fear Allah. (46)
Let the people of the Gospel Judge by what Allah hath revealed therein. If any
The Poor-Man's Guide to Modernity 167 / 334 Zahir Ebrahim