I’ve talked about this concept before, basically the extremist Muslim culture must be destroyed if Western civilization is to survive. I believe that, long term, their restrictions on human sexuality is a flaw that can be exploited to bring about a more tolerant Muslim culture. Here is part of the reason I believe that.
- From the book Infidel (see also The Caged Virgin: An Emancipation Proclamation for Women and Islam) by Ayaan Hirsi Ali we find that women, even those that have been subjected to severe genital mutilation, have strong sexual desires. Women, upon the pain of death, are required to be virgins on their wedding nights. Even if it was a brutal rape the woman can be severely punished for her failure to remain “pure”.
- Again from Infidel many Muslims believe that if a woman shows her skin, even a portion of their neckline or face, in public it will cause the breakdown of society. Men will be so overcome with lust that it will cause them to be unable to drive on the roads, work, or even restrain themselves from attacking the woman.
- The age of marriage has been increasing. In some areas the average age is near 30 now. By contrast when those Islamic laws were created by the prophet Mohammad the norm was much younger. For example Mohammad married one of his wives when she was nine years old and most “women” were married in their early teens. This puts more stress on both men and women (see for example The right of young Muslimas to have sex–Virginity rule ‘leads to hypocrisy’).
- Men are allowed to marry more than one woman leading to a shortage of marriage partners for many men.
- Jihad “martyrs” are told they will receive “72 virgins in paradise”.
- The extremist Muslims are adhering to a very strict interpretation of the Koran. And the restrictions and mandates that we find so abhorrent such as the punishment of rape victims, death penalties for apostates, non Muslims must be subjugated or killed, etc. are all in there. And if they are to be “good Muslims” they will not fit in with our “society of tolerance”.
- In Preachers of Hate: Islam and the War on America Kenneth Timmerman (this has been brought up by other authors as well) points out that Muslims are taught they are the “chosen people” and are rightly superior to other religions and cultures. Increased contact with Western Civilizations via TV, books (Ali in Infidel credits Nancy Drew and Harlequin Romances among others), and the Internet has caused Muslims to question their teachings. The extremists acknowledge the discrepancy between the quality of life in Western society and Muslim society but believe the solution is to become “better” (more extreme) Muslims and to attack the non-believers.
- It’s not easy for people to change (see for example this–thanks to Kevin). And it is much more difficult for people in Muslim cultures to change than ours. We value individuality and in their society deviance from the family, clan, and religious leaders are almost unthinkable. And even the simplest of scientific method experiments may “go right over their heads”. They think very differently than we do. One example from Preachers of Hate is when one Muslim was asked by Timmerman, if he had to make the choice, which he would choose, “To give up your land or give up your wife?” The response was immediate and unambiguous. “My wife of course. I can always get another wife.” Another example made throughout the book it that they believe all their problems and inadequacies are the fault of the Jews (and to some extent Christians). Even where there are no Jews, such as in Saudi Arabia, every problem, even the tiniest most local issue, has it’s origin in the continued existence of Jews someplace on the planet. This kind of “thinking” will be difficult to reform because it is not facts and logic that guide their thoughts and actions. Supplying them with facts and logic are almost pointless.
By exposing young Muslim men and women to Western society and showing them what is available we undermine the authority of the extremists in their culture. After water, food, and physical comfort, sex is one of the most powerful drives in humans. Muslim extremists have created a society where this desire is unfulfillable by many, severely restricted in most, then offer them death (and “72 virgins in paradise”) as their outlet. By offering them a more acceptable (to us) outlet for this desire we can drive a wedge between the extremists in their culture and the young people.
We can exploit their obvious disconnect from reality via their obsession with sexual repression. For example Hirsi related in Infidel how in the Netherlands she experimented by going in public without her scarf and expecting men to drive off the road when they saw her face and neck. It didn’t happen and she was forced to question her teachings. But because the scientific method is not something that comes natural to them we must augment it with the offering of sexual release. Another possibility is as Hirsi points out many of women understand the more blatant injustices and would welcome change in those areas. And the sex drive can do amazing things. Hirsi’s own sexual desires pushed her into actions she knew were extremely risky. As for the young men remember that up to 70% of the files exchanged between Saudi teenagers phones contain pornography.
Western society communication technology and sexual freedom is causing extreme conflict in their society. We need to encourage this conflict and support those that reject the extremists. It is far better that they rid themselves of these zealots than for our military, with the best of intentions, to be a “bull in a china shop” in the process of neutralizing that threat to our safety.
Support open communication, fight censorship, and enable access of young Muslims to as much sexual content/contact as you can. Support Porn for Peace and Dr. Joe’s Cure for Everything.