A Central Asian Imam Visits America

“In America, it seems that they use pets to try and fill their spiritual void.”

I nodded in agreement when I heard this observation. Well put. Once again, it seemed that my worldview was closer to that of a Muslim than to liberal Christians in the US, some of whom have begun offering baptism services for pets in recent years.

This past month I had the chance to hear the observations of a local imam who had recently visited the US for the first time. In our corner of Central Asia, an imam is a trained Islamic leader who has an official role of teaching and leading prayers, usually connected to a specific mosque. This is in contrast to a mullah, who is also a trained Islamic teacher but who might not have a current ‘pastorate’ as it were. This particular imam had a number of observations about life in the US, which he had organized into lists of strengths and weaknesses.

Here are his main points. You may find, as I did, a remarkable degree of agreement, along with a few important points of disagreement.

The Strengths of American Society

1. Amazing Religious Freedom. The imam said that even though he had traveled to dozens of Islamic countries, he had never experienced the degree of religious freedom that he saw in the US. He was amazed by this, especially since religious freedom (or so he claimed) is an Islamic value. He felt that the US is a good model for other nations in the degree of religious liberty that is normal for all groups, including religious minorities.
2. Respect for Others’ Space. This one made me chuckle a little bit. “In America, people aren’t always staring and getting into one another’s business!” This imam found the ability to be in public and to be left more or less alone very refreshing. This is one aspect of American society that my wife also finds very refreshing when we go back to the US for visits.
3. Respect for Nature. Here, the imam was referencing the abundant efforts made in American society to protect wildlife and wisely steward the natural creatures and resources of the land. We take this for granted in the West, but this kind of posture toward nature is the minority position here in Central Asia and in other parts of the world as well.
4. Respect for the Unique Strengths of Groups and Individuals. During the imam’s trip to the US, he felt like he saw many examples of the US government as well as other organizations recognizing, valuing, and capitalizing on the unique strengths that individuals and different societal groups bring to the table. It was good to hear that at least some of the talk about valuing diversity is not just talk, but actually real enough to stand out to outsiders.
5. Respect for Law. “When we landed in Chicago. Everyone stayed in their seats until the fasten seatbelt sign turned off. But when we landed in the Middle East, those very same foreign passengers ignored the rules and stood up to get their bags as soon as we touched down! This shows how strong the respect for law is in the US.” I have to agree. Airport and airplane etiquette is a great place to observe the differences between cultures that have a deep respect for law and rules and those that treat them more like optional guidelines.
6. Freedom to Disagree with the Government. Here, the visiting imam was encouraged to see that many American citizens that he interacted with deeply disagreed with US government policy on different points. The fact that they could do this with no consequences really stood out to the imam as a powerful thing.
7. An Openness to Criticism and Feedback. “Americans are able to receive criticism and feedback as a positive thing and to learn from it.” While we know that this is not always the case in the US, the imam’s observations on this front make a lot of sense given the culture that he is coming from. Here in Central Asia, adults are extremely likely to take offense at even feedback that is meant to be constructive and to encourage growth.

The Weaknesses of American Society

1. Radical Freedom that Is Causing Damage. “Freedom is good, but the way people are using it in the US is deeply destructive to society.” In particular, the imam was shocked by the extent to which American society seems overrun by drug and alcohol problems and sexual insanity. One friend once characterized American culture now as “celebrating the freedom to self-destruct.” Like John Adams once said, “Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” What the visiting imam observed is the results of the American people becoming largely an immoral and irreligious people.
2. Too Easy to Get Guns. During his visit, the imam was alarmed by how easy it seemed for criminals to get guns in the US. I don’t have strong convictions either way on gun issues. I’ve lived in both safe and dangerous places with all kinds of differing firearm laws such that it seems like there’s something else going on in society other than the gun laws that makes the difference. But the imam’s observation here makes sense since your likelihood of getting mugged on the street increases dramatically in the US compared to our area of Central Asia.
3. Too Busy and Weak Relationally. “People have no time for one another. This is because there is not enough Islam in America, which prioritizes deep relationships.” While I don’t agree with the imam’s suggested cure, I do agree with him on the diagnosis. American society is deeply lonely and relationally-starved.
4. A Mercenary Foreign Policy. “The American government too often partners with the strong at the expense of the weak.” Here, the imam was referencing the current conflict between Israel and Gaza. And while that situation is far too complicated and controversial to dive into here, in general, I agree with the critique. In our area of Central Asia, US foreign policy has often felt like the Winston Churchill quote, “Americans can always be counted on to do the right thing, after they have exhausted all other possibilities.” Don’t get me wrong. I am very thankful for the real good that has been done in our region by the US. I just wish it didn’t feel like it so often happens by accident.
5. Materialistic. Here, the imam was commenting on how focused American society seems with acquiring and consuming. Strong agreement with this critique.
6. Trying to Replace Religion with Pets. This final observation is the one I referenced at the beginning of this post. And what an interesting idea it is. It’s clear that Americans are using pets as substitutes for friends and even children. But could they be using pets as a substitute for God? Perhaps. It’s an idea worth chewing on.

In general, I don’t really trust imams and mullahs. Too often, they represent the pharisaical class here in Central Asia. But in listening to the observations of this particular imam, I found some surprising common ground. His observations of US society were largely sound and insightful.

That doesn’t mean we’re now allies. But it can mean gratitude for some shared common grace perspectives. “So it’s not just us, but you see that as well? Man, that’s refreshing to hear.” And it might also mean fruitful conversation – especially when it comes to topics like religious liberty. The imam might not know it yet, but that amazing freedom of religion that he so appreciated in the US has deeply biblical roots. After all, it wasn’t Islam that laid the groundwork for freedom of conscience in so many countries. It was protestant Christians, and specifically, evangelical missionaries.

---

If you have been helped or encouraged by the content on this blog, would you consider supporting this writing and our family while we serve in Central Asia? You can do so here.

For my list of recommended books and travel gear, click here.

Photos are from Unsplash.com