In Egypt, people are considered to be so kind that they would not allow anyone to go hungry. And religion seems to be a subject that stands out as being the sole force behind change amongst our people.
However, many other humiliating conditions, unemployment and sexual harassment being classic examples, do not provoke us into action.
Magdy Mahana, a well-known journalist and columnist, has stated in a speech he gave at the opening of the 18th Cairo International Model Arab League that took place at the American University in Cairo (AUC) two months ago, that Egyptians revolt in two particular situations, when they have absolutely nothing to eat or when anything threatens their religious values.
I do not know what more people are waiting for to make a move, Mahana added, also saying that we, Egyptians, nowadays are almost driving him to lose complete faith in any chance that society has to become truly democratic and civilized.
Al-Masry Al-Youm ran an editorial by Rafaat Rashad indicating that most candidates, even those affiliated with the National Democratic Party, are accused of using religion to pressure candidates into voting for them, promising them to go to heaven in return for their votes.
Are they betting on the naivety of the voters? Rashad asked.
Are we that naïve, to believe that if we voted for someone, even the most pious person on the face of earth, we will be guaranteed a place in heaven overnight?
The answer is, yes we are, as ever since attending AUC, I would see colleagues who were running for student union elections promising voters with heaven if they voted for them, and I used to tell myself, maalesh, they are young and might be sexually or emotionally frustrated, and might believe that.
However, here I am in the real world seeing older, wiser and more mature people being promised entry to heaven, and buying into it.
Where, in any religion, does it say that if we vote for a pious individual, we will be sent to heaven?
Shame on us for thinking like that.
Indeed we will be unprepared to have a democracy, simply because we will not be able to handle it.
There is a big difference between allowing a school of thought – or a political party – to express its own opinions and regards on matters, making a saint out of a particular entity or person; and believing in someone and making them a God.
We have to believe that we do not need an ideal, God-like person, to improve our political status or represent us in parliament; we need an ethical, well educated person with creative plans and the financial acumen to help us lead a better life.
And heaven is not part of the package guys, so grow up.
