So I recently met a lady who mentioned to me that she and her husband believe in God but do not follow any “organized” religion in their home. In fact, they haven’t introduced their children to religion and don’t plan on doing so as they feel religion is the root cause of all evil.
I, on the other hand, feel that practicing and following a religion helps manage our life and work towards a goal.
I want to open these thoughts and have a discussion so please do NOT say “to each their own” because really, then we wouldn’t have any forums if we really were minding our own businesses . I’m not looking for criticism of that lady either. Discuss please.
Not following religion is just like not following road signs, you might enjoy your wild ride for while but you will be (unknowingly) creating bigger mess for yourself and drivers around you.
Ideally I'd like everyone to follow Islam but even if they are following some other region it brings peace to mind and organization to life.
I think religion is important for a person to grow up with some sort of structure in their lives...a way of life...hope...a path to be better...a greater sense of purpose so people stop placing so much importance on materialistic things...history...identity...sukoon...etc. There are a ton of things we get from our faith...be it Islam or any other.
It does not make sense to me not to have an organized religion. What exactly is God to you then? A man you call on every now and again when you're about to go into finals at school or get a promotion?
Obviously I'd want everyone to follow Islam at home too, like you said it gives people a target and a purpose of life. If I wasn't a Muslim, I might as well be a hedonist.
religion at home is very very important because home is the place where you start your learnings and if at home you are not taught about your religion then its likely that you will not learn it outside either or you'll end up in having a messed up life. and because of the religion (islam i am talking about here) you tend to have to know what is right and what is wrong thus a pretty peaceful life. allhumdolillah in my house religion is followed (we are not very very religious) but we do follow the common beliefs and do the things which are required in islam.
As long as they are following morals and do not try to impose their thinking on others , I have no problem with their belief system. They have received the message of Allah , if they choose not to follow it through it is the right given to them by Alllah. Their kids will find the right path if Allah wills and they are willing to seek one.
Ive seen people who believe in God but dont actually follow any part of the religion (Christianity, Islam, Judaism, etc). Usually, God is not a reality in their lives. He is merely someone they believe exists and thats it. This usually leads to things like premarital sex, STDs, children born out of wedlock, etc. Western society accepts all of the mentioned things but its because God is no longer a reality to them...just something they believe is out there.
When we believe in our faith, follow it and actually practice at least some of it...it does prevent us from going on the wrong path.
A very high percentage of people who do not believe in any religion do believe in high morals and ethics. China and major part of Russia are good examples. Everybody in China was not born out of wedlock or does not have STD or is a criminal. Same is true for Russia. So it is wrong to say that only religion can provide high morals and ethics.
A very high percentage of people who do not believe in any religion do believe in high morals and ethics. China and major part of Russia are good examples. Everybody in China was not born out of wedlock or does not have STD or is a criminal. Same is true for Russia. So it is wrong to say that only religion can provide high morals and ethics.
I agree with you partially. You will see that stricter govt control & punishment system in above mentioned countries have big part in it...
I agree with you partially. You will see that stricter govt control & punishment system in above mentioned countries have big part in it...
I will respectfully disagree with Government control and punishment system bit of your theory. Majority of human wish to live with morals and standards. They are hard wired for it there is a lot of research to prove it.
From what I've been told by my parents, everything from saying Bismillah, reciting Quran, following sunnah to offering namaaz is esential for Allah ki barkat at home. Sure, all the non-muslim households do just fine but do they really have the divine blessing/protection aka barakah?
My two cents on the matter are that humans differ from animals becuase we have our codes, our beliefs and our aims in life... sometimes you feel like being free as an animal but when you see how restricted the animal is it makes you think that perhaps humans are not all that bad afteralll.
I would rather belive in something and pass on that belief than have nothing close to my heart at all... it need not be religous dogma but we all need to believe in something and all of us feel the need to pass it on to our offspring.
Ethics and morals can only go so far to restrict you from doing stupid stuff as those standards keep changing. In Amsterdam, its not longer a taboo to have a gay marriage cause their standards are different than that of Vatican city for example. Religion is the only fix standard that we have (any religion for that matter) to stop people from adultery, drugs and all other 'victimless crimes'.
From what I've been told by my parents, everything from saying Bismillah, reciting Quran, following sunnah to offering namaaz is esential for Allah ki barkat at home. Sure, all the non-muslim households do just fine but do they really have the divine blessing/protection aka barakah?
Looking at Bill Gates and Anbanies , I would say they have lot of barakah , Mashallah say.
“Do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, the poor, the neighbour who is near of kin, the neighbour who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer…”
“He who believes in Allah and the Last Day let him not harm his neighbour; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day let him show hospitality to his guest; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day let him speak good or remain silent”.
"Whoever kills a person, unless for spreading mischief and murder, has killed all of mankind”
Yes, very evil.
Religion is our weapon against evil.
So I did start talking to her about "religion" not being the root but our human mind being the actual root of all evil, our extreme desires etc... but she didn't agree so I changed the topic.
She isn't the first person I've met with these views. I have some folks in my own family like this also. The funny part is that while they condemn religion, they all go out to celebrate religious festivals with much enthusiasm!!
. I’m not looking for criticism of that lady either. Discuss please.