Bill Maher and I Agree!

If that title doesn’t grab some attention, I don’t know what will. :) Recently, on Bill Maher’s show on HBO titled Real Time with Bill Maher, he was having a debate with Tavist Smiley, a nationally known talk show host from radio and PBS. Smiley was asserting the following,
“…that when we have these conversations how they treat women, as if somehow we treat women better here in this country, it…”
(Maher interrupts) “We do!”
(Smiley speaks on.) “It demonizes Muslims. It demonizes Muslims all over the world.”
(Maher speaks in the midst of Smiley and after) “No, it’s not demonizing, that’s, that’s saying that I’m prejudiced. I’m saying I’m not prejudiced. That’s prejudging. I’m not prejudging. I’m judging. I’m judging. They’re worse. What’s wrong with just saying that. You’re a cultural relativist. It’s not relative.”
Smiley responds, “I don’t think there’s a worse version of sexism. It’s either right or wrong. It’s acceptable or it’s unacceptable. You’re trying to shade this thing, Bill.” (audience applauds)
The debate goes a little beyond that and then Maher is heckled by a member of the audience who is forcibly removed by security.

I will rarely agree with anything that Maher stands for, but the basic point he is arguing for here is one that I wish more in the media would stand up and acknowledge. The point I am referring to is not just regarding our treatment of women versus Muslim treatment of women, but the cultures that are most clearly linked with Islam as opposed to our culture. It is not bigoted to state that there are quantifiable differences between the two, and those differences are NOT only differences that highlight preferences resembling different “flavors of ice cream”, but the differences are more accurately represented by different ethical, moral, and philosophical choices that flow from the religion of Islam. These differences create hindrances for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

I am not even going into the political debate about whether or not freedom and democratic rule is possible in the Middle East or other Islamic regions. Islam is a religion that has certain truth claims. It is built on certain tenets, revolves around a specific history, was established by a specific individual, and has been maintained by a small handful of groups claiming authority in continuing to lead muslims. Arab culture has been greatly, though not solely influenced by Muhammed and Islam. It is not only NOT wrong to put forth a judgment about their culture. It is a wise thing to allow our discernment to grow through exercising it, and yes, even occasionally speaking that judgment out to give it a chance to sink or swim when in the face of outside criticism. Perhaps the saddest thing about this entire interaction to me came when the audience applauded Smiley’s follow up point.

The point I am making is not that we have good culture and they have only bad culture, but that the notion of NOT engaging in discernment is somehow applauded while an incredibly true and honest observation is seen as scandalous and arrogant. Write down the date. There may never be a time when I defend Bill Maher and anything else he stands for after this. :)