Reza Aslan is now speaking on CSPAN. People confuse religion with faith. Faith is individual. Each of us may have a certain belief system about the existence of God. God is beyond our comprehension. And difficult to describe succinctly.
Religion is the path that we take towards our end goal of understanding and reaching God.
Most religious people focus more on Religion. Rather than look at it as a means to an end, they make their Religion the end. The ultimate. And lose sight that there are several paths to the same end.
Interesting. Your thoughts?
PS. Hope this is kept here.
Re: Faith is not the same as Religion
Apparently Zoroastrianism was the 1st religion that was monotheistic. 1100 BC.
The founder was 1st to state what u do this life will affect how you are in next life. Judaism deeply affected by Zoroastrianism. Christianity combination of Judaism and christianity.
Zoroastrianism dying religion since can’t converted.
All religions man made. Hence women take back seat. Some misogyny involved in ALL religions.
Re: Faith is not the same as Religion
Definately agree that faith and religion are two separate things.
Nowadays people just think being born to parents who follow a certain religion automatically makes them that religion as well… but when it comes to faith they are lacking in a sense as they don’t really understand the reasons behind so many things.
To me faith is personal and not something you really need to discuss openly with others. I especially don’t debate with people who you know are not open to listening to another side.
Re: Faith is not the same as Religion
^ noted. Thanks.
Program live on CSPAN2 till 3 PM eastern time.
Re: Faith is not the same as Religion
He makes a distinction between Islamists and Jihadists. Mentioned the media conflate the two terms.
Islamists - concerned with local power. For example Hamas, Muslim Brotherhood. Can negotiate with them.
Jihadists - focused on global power and control. Al qaeda (spelling?) , ISIS. Can’t negotiate with them.
This was very useful information.
Re: Faith is not the same as Religion
A Gallop poll showed that Muslims as a majority were for peace. Right after atheists. So when Muslims are asked to renounce terrorism, the answer should be - Muslims already do.
One caller asked what has been discussed here - how can u say there is no compulsion in religion when those who leave Islam are not spoken too kindly in the Scriptures.
Answer - well, the Torah speaks unkindly of non believers. You can find passages that fit your agenda. If u r a misogynist, u can find passages supporting that view. If u love wars, ditto. And if u love peace, ditto. This is true for all Scriptures.
Re: Faith is not the same as Religion
The show ended with a caller asking why Muslims don’t speak out against violence.
Reza hit this one out of the park. Reeled off a series of organizations and individuals that have done so. And ended with “there must be something wrong with your “google””
Re: Faith is not the same as Religion
One theme that stood out was something I have seen others articulate here. That one can interpret Scriptures differently. A peaceful person interprets the Scriptures one way. A war monger another way.
One caller asked - Jesus stated way to God is only through me. How does it jive with ur notion several paths to God.
Answer - those passages written by others (John?) several years after Jesus passed away. Jesus never did say that.
The point being - the minutae not as important. The end goal is key. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
He was tough on modern day atheists who try to find holes in Scriptures.
I would say, just like Scriptures, there was something useful and interesting for people of different POVs and faiths.