Back in school days, we used to study “Mazhab nahin sikhata aapis mein bair rakhna” i.e., Religions doesn’t teach hatred or prejudice. Is it really true for the real world? I am not generalizing but many a times, we see the ones who apparently are devout followers of a religion are the ones devoid of humanity. For them, religion is a platform for superiority and despising others and they have God given right to ‘defend’ religion even if they have to go out of the bounds set by the religion. Why religion that is meant to make someone a better person sometimes beget fruits that are completely opposite to its true teachings? I can quote numerous examples from different religions:
Witch hunting and burning people at stake under the patronage of church especially when Europe was lurking in dark ages.
Spanish Inquisition where religion was used to ‘cleanse’ Spain from former rulers
KKK
Hindu organizations that preach hatred against Muslims and Christians
and many more.
It hurts me to say that people who doesn’t belong to any religion or who apparently are not ‘devout’ followers are far more humane and accommodating in comparison. It is a fact that people love to move to the secular societies rather than those firmly based on some religious doctrine. I, being a follower of a religion, need to know where exactly is the problem
........It hurts me to say that people who doesn't belong to any religion or who apparently are not 'devout' followers are far more humane and accommodating in comparison. It is a fact that people love to move to the secular societies rather than those firmly based on some religious doctrine. I, being a follower of a religion, need to know where exactly is the problem
lets see what went on with 'secular' conflicts over last 100 years...
world war 1: 16 million dead
world war 2: 60 million dead
Korean war: 3 million dead
Vietnam war: 2 million dead
and countless more. Deaths and destruction by religious conflicts over that period is a small fraction of the above.
The examples you have quoted are a mere fraction of the total violence took place during those times as well. Interestingly, no one likes to talk about genocide of indigenous populations of North and South America which were virtually wiped out by European settlers. Spanish inquisition, all and well, but what about over 10 million Africans killed as a direct result of slave trade during that time (number does not include other genocides in the continent)?
More humane and accommodating? Really?
It is just that religion has been at times used as a tool to oppress, kill and hate others doesn't mean there is something inherently wrong with it. Just like science is used to make weapons as well as medicine. Should scientists be given a bad name just because some of them do evil things with their knowledge?
I think kchughtai's sentiments are a result of brainwashing experienced from media propaganda ... All the films we see these days incriminates some religious group and makes the liberators out to be the secularists ... History as per the History channel makes religious people seem to be the most intolerant ... The fact is humanity has always been more prevalent with the religious people. At work ... In my personal life experience I feel better sentiments toward me from religious Christians and Hindus than I have ever felt from atheists or ultra-secularists ... Apart from a single atheist friend of mine.
lets see what went on with 'secular' conflicts over last 100 years...
world war 1: 16 million dead
world war 2: 60 million dead
Korean war: 3 million dead
Vietnam war: 2 million dead
and countless more. Deaths and destruction by religious conflicts over that period is a small fraction of the above.
The examples you have quoted are a mere fraction of the total violence took place during those times as well. Interestingly, no one likes to talk about genocide of indigenous populations of North and South America which were virtually wiped out by European settlers. Spanish inquisition, all and well, but what about over 10 million Africans killed as a direct result of slave trade during that time (number does not include other genocides in the continent)?
More humane and accommodating? Really?
It is just that religion has been at times used as a tool to oppress, kill and hate others** doesn't mean there is something inherently wrong with it.** Just like science is used to make weapons as well as medicine. Should scientists be given a bad name just because some of them do evil things with their knowledge?
I didn't say that there is something wrong with religion. but the way its followers adapt it or see it.
I think kchughtai's sentiments are a result of brainwashing experienced from media propaganda ... All the films we see these days incriminates some religious group and makes the liberators out to be the secularists ... History as per the History channel makes religious people seem to be the most intolerant ... The fact is humanity has always been more prevalent with the religious people. At work ... In my personal life experience I feel better sentiments toward me from religious Christians and Hindus than I have ever felt from atheists or ultra-secularists ... Apart from a single atheist friend of mine.
:). No. my sentiments are not based on media propaganda. I can differ between facts and propaganda. I think, I didn't convey my thoughts properly. There are good and bad people every where. I also know some very nice religious people in my family and outside but there are people who perhaps are wolves in sheep's clothing and use religion (in societies where it is possible) negatively for personal gains or hurting their opponents.
:). No. my sentiments are not based on media propaganda. I can differ between facts and propaganda. I think, I didn't convey my thoughts properly. There are good and bad people every where. I also know some very nice religious people in my family and outside but there are people who perhaps are wolves in sheep's clothing and use religion (in societies where it is possible) negatively for personal gains or hurting their opponents.
Accepted ... But on the whole criminals are godless people ... This should be understood. Criminal behaviour in the name of God is a disease ... But in reality they too are as godless ... Morality may manifest in atheists but it will be limited because they will never be able to just trust Qadr, or rely on balance and justice in the akhirah
lets see what went on with 'secular' conflicts over last 100 years...
world war 1: 16 million dead
world war 2: 60 million dead
Korean war: 3 million dead
Vietnam war: 2 million dead
and countless more. Deaths and destruction by religious conflicts over that period is a small fraction of the above.
The examples you have quoted are a mere fraction of the total violence took place during those times as well. Interestingly, no one likes to talk about genocide of indigenous populations of North and South America which were virtually wiped out by European settlers. Spanish inquisition, all and well, but what about over 10 million Africans killed as a direct result of slave trade during that time (number does not include other genocides in the continent)?
More humane and accommodating? Really?
It is just that religion has been at times used as a tool to oppress, kill and hate others doesn't mean there is something inherently wrong with it. Just like science is used to make weapons as well as medicine. Should scientists be given a bad name just because some of them do evil things with their knowledge?
one can argue that the world wars were a product of racism and imperialism. and definitely these evils were a lot worse than religious bigotry.
but look at the world today. not just pakistan or india or the active wars. i would say religious bigotry has earned its rise to the top as one of the top problems for humanity.
one can argue that the world wars were a product of racism and imperialism. and definitely these evils were a lot worse than religious bigotry.
**
but look at the world today. not just pakistan or india or the active wars. i would say religious bigotry has earned its rise to the top as one of the top problems for humanity**.
may be its cyclical.......it was full on religious a thousand year ago during crusades.......then racism/imperialism.....now again religious........so on and so forth.........
i think humans are fished up.....different reasons during different eras........whats constant is the chawalness of humans.........