culture17

Foto: Azzaman

Not Santa Claus!

Saddam Hussein, former dictator, was born in the north of Iraq 1937. He is one of the worst despots of our time, mingled with blood. Cravings for death penalty have been heard after his capture Dec 13, 2003. Nevertheless, the historical cost/benefit ratio of Saddam could be reduced, provided that he is recycled towards reconciliation and atonement. The present paper provides an update of previous ideas(1-5).

The capture of Saddam Hussein alive highlights some ethical, ethnical, and political problems of mankind (cf 1-5). Evidently, the man cannot repay for his debts and crimes; nor can any penalty undo his felonies. It is reasonable to assume that the career of Saddam was made possible by a lack of democracy and human rights, sanctified by traditions and religions.

The history of Europe suggests that feudal dictatorships cannot produce peace; nor can theologians produce peace (1). In contrast, the distribution of the central traditions of the Bible to many members of the congregations by reformers created an interplay between clergy and lay, which paved the way for democracy in Europe and North America during the last five centuries. In fact, Martin Luther (1483-1556) appears to have regarded the temporal government (the political power) as a "basic game" in terms of social scientists, the spiritual government (religion) as a meta game, an interpretation of biological, psychological and political realities (cf 6).

The view of Luther is compatible with ideas expressed by Paul The Apostle and some prophets of the Old Testament. The Koran of the Muslims provides an interpretation of the older traditions of the Bible (1). It is reasonable to assume that a transfer of the Koran from clergy to lay would promote the development of democracy in Muslim countries, analogous to the Reformations of Christian countries. Jews, Christians, and Muslims share many central traditions of Bible and Koran. However, there are also differences, which have to be respected (1). From such points, a secular political system (temporal government, basic game) appears to provide advantages for members of all religions, believers and non-believers. In such a context, the religion is a private affair, an interpretation of external and internal realities, a meta game (cf 7).

The common parts of the central traditions provide a basis of communication between Jews, Christians, and Muslims. It could be argued that the Koran cannot be understood without the Bible texts commented, just as the New Testament cannot be understood without the Old Testament. Likewise, the Jew has to be convinced by evidence from the Old Testament. However, my personal opinion is that Jews, Christians, and Muslims should not try to convert each other; all of them share Moses and the prophets and should missionize among own non-believers and general gentiles.

Saddam Hussein has walked the way of violence. My dream is that Saddam is confined to a tropical island with an international tribunal in the morning session, and a national tribunal in the afternoon, a video tribunal with simultaneous global broadcasting. Saddam should also be allowed to officiate at the Service of Friday Evening, on TV. It is suggested that the texts of the Service adhere to the ecclesiastical year, the Koran text first in Arabic and English, followed by corresponding texts from the New Testament and the Old Testament. As a seller of democracy and human rights, Saddam would be able to amortize some of his debts.

The crimes of Saddam are beyond temporal justice. "It is mine to revenge; I will repay" (Deuteronomy 32:35). The mystery of reconciliation and atonement is also beyond reason. I hope that Mr Blair and Mr Bush, both sinners reprieved, will handle this problem with political prudence. The building of democratic and stable political systems in Germany and Japan after 1945 provides an inspiring model.