Western democracy prioritizes individual freedom above religious and social constraints.
It includes various forms such as political, personal, and social freedoms, rooted in secular principles.
Covers freedom of belief, thought, preferences, and association without harming others.
Absolute freedom can lead to misuse of power and is often influenced by interests and powerful groups.
Unrestricted expression of opinions and ideologies can lead to societal conflicts and challenges.
The concept of freedom in Western democracy transcends everything; there are no religious texts or social norms that stand in the way of personal freedom. For them, freedom means that a person can do whatever they desire without restriction or condition, and that they can work to achieve their own interest, or what they believe is their interest, seeking benefit for themselves.
Sources of Freedom in Western Democracy
The democratic system defines freedom in all its forms, such as political freedom, which means that the people govern themselves or choose their rulers freely; personal freedom; freedom of opinion; freedom of assembly and association; freedom of religious belief; freedom of education; and other personal and social freedoms.
Western democratic system's vision
The Western democratic system's vision of freedom is based on the principles established by secular thought regarding the concept of freedom and its purpose. British philosopher John Stuart Mill asserts that an individual enjoys absolute freedom and can do as they please, without anyone intervening in their affairs or life. The individual alone is responsible for themselves and is the most entitled person to be the guardian of their own conditions—be they physical, mental, material, or moral. It is not permissible to force an individual to perform any task or refrain from any task, claiming that such performance or abstention is in their interest or leads to their benefit or brings them good and happiness, especially when, in the view of others, it is deemed to be the exact truth.
The Aspects of Freedom Include:
**First**: The sanctities of consciences and the depths of inner thoughts, which necessitates freedom of belief in its broadest sense, freedom of thought, feeling, and the freedom of opinions and inclinations in all matters and discussions—whether practical or scientific, material or moral, religious or worldly.
Second : Freedom of tastes and preferences; meaning that we are granted freedom to take the paths in life that align with our natures, and do as we wish, provided we bear the consequences that follow. No one should object to this from among our peers, nor should there be any obstacles from them as long as our actions do not inflict any harm upon them, even if in their view, it is evidence of folly or foolishness.
Third: From that freedom restricted to the individual, there arises the freedom for individuals to unite and cooperate on any matter that does not harm others, as long as those gathering are adults and mature, and have not been coerced or deceived into the assembly. Any community that does not generally respect these freedoms cannot be justifiably described as free, regardless of its governmental form. Furthermore, any society lacking these freedoms in a full, unblemished, and pure manner is not entirely free. This is what the foundational theories of freedom in the Western democratic system dictate.
A Critical Perspective on Freedom in Western Democracy
Western theories establish the concept of absolute freedom, which is unencumbered by religious texts or social norms. However, this freedom leads to chaos, wherein every individual believes they are free to do whatever they wish and legislate as they please to achieve two objectives: one being power and control, and the second being interest and benefit.
For example, the wealthy may legislate for usury and monopoly, the powerful for tyranny, and those driven by desire may legislate for vice. Furthermore, Western freedom does not adhere to fixed values; rather, it is subject to interests and whims. Consequently, this freedom does not align with truth but instead stands alongside capitalists and influential pressure groups, particularly Zionist groups with their vast political and media influence.
The Satanic Verses
In 1988, after the publication of the book "The Satanic Verses," Muslims in Britain attempted to use the law banning blasphemy against the author Salman Rushdie, but they failed; because the law only punishes blasphemy against Christian sanctities; thus, Salman Rushdie was not violating any British laws when he insulted Islamic sanctities.
In contrast, we see a tremendous success for the political and media influence of Jewish lobbying groups and Zionist organizations. In France, in January 1998, Roger Garaudy was tried for his book "The Foundational Myths of Israeli Politics," and he was fined $20,000. The situation did not end there; Garaudy received several death threats over the phone, libraries that sold his books were attacked until they ceased to do so, and the publisher of the book was physically assaulted, and his library was looted. What value does freedom of thought hold if it exposes its bearer to pressure and terror?!
Additionally, freedom in Western democracy allows for the expression of any opinion, the publication of any ideology, and the promotion of any thought, even if it involves disavowing the homeland, denying God and His messengers, attacking the laws, ethics, and customs of the nation, and ridiculing the principles upon which family and social life is built, without regard for those nations' rights to respect their laws and sanctities. There are many examples of this, such as the criminalization of minarets in Switzerland, and the violation of the sacredness of others through words, images, and offensive films, as happened in Denmark in 2005 and in America in 2012.
The Values of beliefs
This indicates that Western thought is based on elevating its own value while belittling and diminishing the values and beliefs of others under the guise of freedom. Absolute capitalist freedom is merely a ready weapon in their hands that paves the way for them and clears a path to glory and wealth at the expense of others.
Wishes without Restrictions
As for personal freedom, for them it means that a person can pursue their desires and whims, eat what they wish, and do as they please without restrictions or order; this is not freedom, but pure chaos that leads all individuals to ruin. Furthermore, a person who is controlled by their desires and succumbs to their instincts is actually devoid of freedom; they have become a slave to their desires, a captive of their instincts, unable to free themselves from them, to the point of losing their mind and depriving themselves of dignity, yet they claim afterwards that they are free.
Dr. Muhammad Imara states: “And if it is said that freedom consists of not interfering with anyone in their private matters; we say: this is a regression to animalism, and an exit from the limits of humanity. However, true freedom is the demand for rights while respecting limits.”
---------------
(1) Liberty: John Stuart Mill, Translation: Taha Al-Seba'i, pp. 17-21.
(2) Religion and Politics: Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, p. 60.
(3) Freedom of Expression in the West: From Salman Rushdie to Roger Garaudy: Sharif Abdel Azim, p. 9.
(4) Our Economy: Dr. Muhammad Baqir Al-Sadr, p. 375.
(5) Islam in the Face of Challenges: Dr. Muhammad Imara, p. 23.
