There is something conceptually irreligious with what is religious today. All religions suffer from segregative nuances albeit from geographic location, origin and even birth-rite. We have 'middle-eastern' religions, 'asian' religions' religions, 'inherited' religions, 'black' churches, 'white' churches, etc. Some claim to be universal and inclusive but are usually universal and inclusive if one is a member. So how is humanity to come together while every religion requires one to 'ride' in their car to heaven.
As a Muslim, I was taught to be familiar with various religious dogmas, information I would use for debating and the promotion of my named religion. As a MuslimSoul, I've opened myself to studying the Creator in various historical contexts and experiences. God has guided humanity throughout human history being revealed to every people and nation. One not superior to the other, for God of today is the same God of ancient, consistent and constant. Yet every spiritual generation and dispensation has claimed ownership of God by prophet or profit. Our desire to be the chosen of God divides us, not moral vs. immoral but divisions based on religious titles and the names we use to call God.
We are told who God is early in life while our environment forms our religious prejudice. Religious prejudice and phobias allow us to demean and condemn other God-faiths called by different names. Christianity of old labeled non-Christians as heathens who were damned for hell. In their damnation, they could be colonized, killed or accept salvation. This obvious God-less concept of religion wasn't unique to Christianity, most religions have suffered from a false sense of supremacy. When people speak for God, they and their objectives tend to get in the way of what God has called us to do.
So this brings us to the real question, what religion is God? Is God Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, or something else? This question may seem absurd or even blasphemous but isn't this what every faith subliminally defines as we follow our “true” religions. Few would agree this is true yet the reality of our actions tell a different truth. The rule of non-discussable topics, religion and politics could possibly damn us all to a permanent segregation. If this is true then religion must die for Us to live.
What would happen if we dropped the religious surnames. No longer called Muslim or Christian but following the God-given principles of all faiths; Love God, Love thy neighbor, ya’ll know the rest. Would we be any less? Could we then find equitable appreciation in a gospel choir, a Hasidic community or prostrating muslims? Could we eventually rid ourselves of religious phobias and strive to be God-like as a collective society? A utopian dream, maybe but isn’t this the purpose that all of our ‘Gods’ have challenged us with.
At the core of every religion is a value system that has been the same since the first revelation. Yes, God has spoken to different peoples in different languages in different ages but the purpose and goal of human existence has never changed. If we can get past the titles and focus on what is consistent in all faiths then maybe we create a heaven on earth...if we don't...well, tune in to your local news.
As a Muslim, I was taught to be familiar with various religious dogmas, information I would use for debating and the promotion of my named religion. As a MuslimSoul, I've opened myself to studying the Creator in various historical contexts and experiences. God has guided humanity throughout human history being revealed to every people and nation. One not superior to the other, for God of today is the same God of ancient, consistent and constant. Yet every spiritual generation and dispensation has claimed ownership of God by prophet or profit. Our desire to be the chosen of God divides us, not moral vs. immoral but divisions based on religious titles and the names we use to call God.
We are told who God is early in life while our environment forms our religious prejudice. Religious prejudice and phobias allow us to demean and condemn other God-faiths called by different names. Christianity of old labeled non-Christians as heathens who were damned for hell. In their damnation, they could be colonized, killed or accept salvation. This obvious God-less concept of religion wasn't unique to Christianity, most religions have suffered from a false sense of supremacy. When people speak for God, they and their objectives tend to get in the way of what God has called us to do.
So this brings us to the real question, what religion is God? Is God Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, or something else? This question may seem absurd or even blasphemous but isn't this what every faith subliminally defines as we follow our “true” religions. Few would agree this is true yet the reality of our actions tell a different truth. The rule of non-discussable topics, religion and politics could possibly damn us all to a permanent segregation. If this is true then religion must die for Us to live.
What would happen if we dropped the religious surnames. No longer called Muslim or Christian but following the God-given principles of all faiths; Love God, Love thy neighbor, ya’ll know the rest. Would we be any less? Could we then find equitable appreciation in a gospel choir, a Hasidic community or prostrating muslims? Could we eventually rid ourselves of religious phobias and strive to be God-like as a collective society? A utopian dream, maybe but isn’t this the purpose that all of our ‘Gods’ have challenged us with.
At the core of every religion is a value system that has been the same since the first revelation. Yes, God has spoken to different peoples in different languages in different ages but the purpose and goal of human existence has never changed. If we can get past the titles and focus on what is consistent in all faiths then maybe we create a heaven on earth...if we don't...well, tune in to your local news.
Consider the politics of religion and then rewrite this post.
ReplyDeleteI disagree; autonomy should trump amalgamation.
ReplyDelete