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Attempts at monopolizing God can be hazardous
Former Arkansas governor and 2012 presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee found himself in hot water this week after he called Islam the "antithesis of the gospel of Christ" and said that churches that share worship space with Muslims are caving to a religion "that says that Jesus Christ and all the people that follow him are a bunch of infidels who should be essentially obliterated."
In an analysis of how Islam may shape campaign politics, Politico's Bryon Tau wrote: "As Republican candidates define their national security stands in the 2012 elections, conservative discomfort with Islam in America will be a feature of the debate."
Should Islam be debated on the campaign trail? Are religious issues in danger of being exploited?
"My religion is the only way to God" attitude and arrogant dismissal of "other" religions, especially in the public arena, takes us backwards.
Instead, as a nation and a world, we should be focusing on interconnections and inter-reliance between different faiths.
But sadly, many times religion is used for wrong reasons. Whether we like it or not, politicians will exploit all the "tools" available to them on the campaign trail to grab power, including religion. We, as voters, should be more mature to read between the lines.
All religions have strengths and weaknesses. Picking a one particular religion to blame for all the ills of the society and the world is not fair to the devotees of that religion. Moreover, we should refrain from passing judgment about "other" religions without having a comprehensive understanding of those.
Let us not attempt to play God's sole agents. Utilize the religions to bind us together and not to divide us further.
We should start taking religion seriously as religion is very powerful.
By
Rajan Zed
|
February 25, 2011; 2:30 PM ET
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Posted by: ThishowIseeit | February 28, 2011 8:26 PM
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On one hand we should take religion seriously because of its divisive nature, but on the other hand, religions should no longer be considered hands off. It is afterall, just another opinion. If everyone is forced to justify their own beliefs, rather than just present them as Truth or holy or God's word, then all religions start looking very similar and very problamatic. I think it is fine for Huckabee to criticize Islam, but it is just as valid for non-Christians to criticize his beliefs. It is only when people express their various beliefs that thinking people begin to realize they are no different from bygone mythology and superstition. Why should I believe Jesus ascended into heaven any more or less than I should believe an angel visited Mohammad, or that Zeus is still in control on Mt. Olympus? None of this is believable.
Posted by: dkw12002 | February 28, 2011 1:19 AM
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Rajan Zed,
do you know why " all religions have strengths and weaknesses" as you correctly put it? Because they were all invented by humans. The killing of millions of innocent babies and children by tsunamis and earthquakes, the presence in our planet of species of obligate carnivores are just two of many reasons that weight heavily against the existence of a just deity. Often the truth hurt but it should never be suppressed. Also an hour ago there was in your blog - but has been removed now- a wise notation " If....all religions start looking very similar and problematic" Who and why was removed? Fear of "the men in white"?