Syrian Economic and Cultural Capacity:
Religion
A Phase IV assessment
In the chart below, 8 dimensions of Syria’s economic and cultural capacity are shown, from left (“Economy”) to right (“Religion”). Taken together, the 8 dimensions of the x-axis offer a comprehensive, holistic view of Syria’s capacity to govern itself.
Religion is important as a dimension because it reveals reveals the capacity of the Syrian public for altruism and cooperation. The more developed religion is in Syria the more effectively the country will respond to existential threats.
The Question:
Emile Durkheim defined religion as a "unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things.” Religion has served as a strong binding force for societies. Which of these levels of development is the most characteristic of Syria?
The Levels:
6. In this country, the religious and scientific communities cooperate well, and the major religious communities have integrated findings from group altruism, group selection, and evolutionary psychology research. (This was the highest level chosen.)
5. In this country, citizens have individual relationships with the divine. There is one dominant religious community, which is tolerant of other religions and atheists.
4. In this country, citizens have individual relationships with the divine. There is one dominant religious community, which is intolerant of other religions and atheists.
(3.7 was the average of the levels chosen.)
3. In this country, religious intermediaries—priests, imams, saints, gurus, rabbis, and others—translate and explain God’s will to citizens. The believer hopes to meet needs beyond the immediate life. (This was the level most often chosen.)
2. In this country, the political leader or leaders control the public’s faith practices. (The leader might even be the deity.) Religion provides for medium range needs, up to a generation. For example, “If the people are faithful we will be victorious in battle and be a safe and powerful nation state.” (This was the lowest level chosen.)
25 prime actors participated in determining the ability of Syria to respond to existential threats based on its current religion practices.
In the chart, higher levels indicate greater capacity within that dimension for Syrians to respond effectively to existential global threats, from Level 1 (very weak) to 8 (very strong).
- The highest rating: light green.
- The average rating: a triangle.
- The level identified most often: a cross.
- The lowest rating: dark green
Level 6: Participants made the following statements to support their assessment of the Syrian Economy as best characterized as Level 6:
In this country, the religious and scientific communities cooperate well, and the major religious communities have integrated findings from group altruism, group selection, and evolutionary psychology research.
A Round 3 participant stated (Nov 2016 - July 2017):
“In the IS controlled areas it is level 4. In regime controlled areas it is level 3. In the Free Syrian Army areas, it is level 6. In the PYD controlled areas it is level 5.” (230784)
Level 5: Participants made the following statements to support their assessment of the Syrian Economy as best characterized as Level 5:
In this country, citizens have individual relationships with the divine. There is one dominant religious community, which is tolerant of other religions and atheists.
Round 3 participants stated (Nov 2016 - Jul 2017):
“Syria is very diverse. The Sunnis are definitely the dominant group, but before the conflict interreligious disputes were rare. Interreligious marriages were common. Even the ruling elite were not from the dominant group, and it was acceptable.” (238631)
“Even with all the killing and divisions tolerance is still a core principle with most.” (235931)
A Round 2 participant stated (Aug 2016 - Oct 2016):
"Syria used to be a secular country where everyone was tolerant of each other." (223881)
Level 4: Participants made the following statements to support their assessment of the Syrian Economy as best characterized as Level 4:
In this country, citizens have individual relationships with the divine. There is one dominant religious community, which is intolerant of other religions and atheists.
Round 3 participants stated (Nov 2016 - Jul 2017):
“Syrian communities have deeply faithful people, including Christian and Yazidi.” (238341)
“Religion is very deep to people. There is inter-religious violence. Even people perceived as secular are very religious relative to the United States. There are multiple religions intolerant of each other. The Alawites and Christians are more tolerant, but horrified by the Sunni for fear of extermination. Assad himself is probably angry with the Sunni because they are rebelling, not because he is religiously intolerant. They people struggle with questions like, "Why did I survive, but my children did not?" Material wealth is not considered an indicator of blessing. On the other hand, the Islamic State is fighting because they see it as God's will that they will win. It is not short term, but they operate more on level 2.” (239312)
“The psychology aspect of #6 is non-existent in Syria. #5 is also true. In Syria, there was always tolerance between religions. There is no tolerance now between the Sunni and the Alawi.” (230713)
Round 2 participants stated (Aug 2016 - Oct 2016):
"Anyone choosing level 4 is most likely an atheist. Atheists are anyone of a minority religion and eligible to be executed." (223881)
Level 3: Participants made the following statements to support their assessment of the Syrian Economy as best characterized as Level 3:
In this country, religious intermediaries—priests, imams, saints, gurus, rabbis, and others—translate and explain God’s will to citizens. The believer hopes to meet needs beyond the immediate life.
Round 3 participants stated (Nov 2016 - Jul 2017):
“#3 is most true in IS areas. The leader is almost a deity. In all areas, Imams are very important. In regime areas, they justify government violence.” (233911)
“Historically Syria's religious practice was modest, but has been influenced by extremism as the war progresses.” (234281)
“Opposition areas are more backward in this area, working at level 2.” (236592)
Round 2 participants stated (Aug 2016 - Oct 2016):
Syria is a founder of local laws." (221641)
"This is exactly what's going on. Groups from Lebanon and Syria are working together on this. The strength of any country comes from the people who live in the country. Everyone working together is the right way to proceed." (222172)
Level 2: Participants made the following statements to support their assessment of the Syrian Economy as best characterized as Level 2:
In this country, the political leader or leaders control the public’s faith practices.
Round 3 participants stated (Nov 2016 - Jul 2017):
"Syria was not tolerant before the revolution. For instance, the constitution required the President must be Muslim. Now religion is an instrument to trade on for gains. The Imams present themselves as if God on earth. In all religions we expect to be punished for our sins after death. We get it from each other now. Now we have hell on earth. Crimes should be punished by the code/the government, not by religion." (231641)
"The religious practices of the terrorist-held and government areas are used as tools to control people." (232272)
"The regime controls religion. Religion is between man and God, not man and man. His relation to God defines his ethics, his relationship with others. In Syria it is defined by the regime, not religion. Religion should be separated from government." (233081)
"Islam is government, though not fully manifested in the Assad government, but they pay the Imams, and it is a medium for control." (239311)