In Turkey there is a group of people who display a lack of fairness against the rational wider majority of people. One of the greatest reasons for this group's discomfort is the growing embrace of religion by society... During one period this group displayed their discomfort over the growing propensity for religion through acts of hostility towards the imam-hatip (religious) high schools. They were successful in this. But what caused them discomfort was not the existence of these schools. What really caused them discomfort was that they themselves were, in principle, opposed to religion -- but they could not say this openly. A fear started to spread among this group that, due to the growing number of imam-hatip graduates, in 10 or 15 years "imam hatip voters" would be able to elect a non-coalition ruling administration, and that a Shariah system would come to power that would destroy the secular order. Even though they did not clarify their feelings about the EU openly, in essence, these groups were believable. Here is how they clarified their stance on the EU: For them, EU membership meant the same thing as Westernization.
They understood the move towards Westernization, but these people would be torn from their own values and assimilated with Western values. During the first years of the republic people from the ranks of this group would go to the villages and, asserting "It is Islam that has forced us to be left behind," propose opening up churches. This group was frustrated with their Democrat Party (DP) movement. Later the promise of EU membership refreshed their hopes. But this time the people of the nation began to re-embrace religion. Thus these days, while the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government, with its ranks that include imam-hatip graduates, shows the greatest efforts for EU membership, this group has suddenly been gripped by "patriotism," as they take up their anti-EU "nationalist" stances and make their public statements. Because in a Turkey that belongs to the EU, religion and freedom of conscience would be guaranteed by the principle of freedom of religious expression. And against the wishes of this group religious freedom would actually increase. And so the chorus of voices has been raised: EU membership will take our independence away!
But I say to them: You are a group without reason or fairness. This group can not stand it when reliable polls show society's sincere religiosity. Why? I ask them: When it comes down to it, don't you also call yourselves Muslim? So what is it that makes you so uncomfortable? When the matter of the imam-hatips was taken care of, this group's discomfort over growing societal religiosity did not end. Next it was time to attack the volunteers who were taking charge of this people's future, trying to make Turkish into a global language, spreading the name of our education system through academic Olympiads.
Then they turned to focus on their final goal, which was to bring the administration face-to-face with society -- in short, to finish off societal support for the government, to break the wings of the leadership. These are people with no reason, no mercy, no fairness. If they even have consciences, they should ask these consciences whether their real discomfort lies with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, with the AK Party or with the final destruction of the status quo that has been built up over so many years. Or is it perhaps because the web of justice, which has been pierced and passed through so many times now, is finally being strengthened and this group may finally have to account for their actions?
Ask your conscience: Were you ever able to absorb and internalize democracy? Ask your conscience: Did you or did you not carry out secret coup plans every time the people elected someone close to them? Ask your conscience: Did you ever really believe in the independence of the justice system? Ask your conscience: In the universities of Turkey is it you pushing students to march? Have you ever worried about scholarly matters? Ask your conscience: Did the principles of the press ever hold any importance to you? Were you really free in terms of the stories you ran, the headlines you chose? Did you never take any orders? Ask your conscience: Do your hearts have any pain for the slander you carried out? Ask your consciences...
You are actually without fairness and without consciences.
