Religion and Extremism
Published: 1 year, 4 months ago (Oct 30, 2008) in RandomTags: religion · Print This Post · Leave a Comment
Since the events of September 11th, the media has grown fond of associating any unorthodox activities in the world with “religious extremists.” However, how does one define the line beyond which actions may be deemed “extreme?” This topic is extremely broad, so I’ll just share my own views on my faith and what I consider to be extreme.
In reality, I’m not a devout Hindu by any stretch of the word. In fact, I teeter more along agnosticism than any other viewpoint. I acknowledge there is a “higher being” but simultaneously believe that science can explain the overwhelming majority of our universe. If I go back far enough in time (human beings –> earth’s formation —> Big Bang —> ???), I have substantial evidence to understand how the present came to be; however, there comes a point where I have to accept a higher being putting everything into motion. Some atheists share similar perspectives in that science can explain everything, but we differ in that they’re plain wrong and I’m at least eligible for partial credit. 
(Don’t get me started on atheism). Let’s just assume that the Big Bang is not a theory but actually what happened billions of years ago. What created the energy? What put time in motion? My mind can’t comprehend the possibility that energy and time have always been around, hence, my belief in a deity (outlined in Hinduism) being responsible for their creation.
So what about extremism? Is a Hindu living in America who eats beef considered an act of outright disrespect? How about a Muslim who disregards that their religion views pork as unclean but still consumes ham or bacon? Not to offend anyone, but being an evolutionist, I can only look at how our race came to be from a survival aspect. Joe the Plumber’s great ancestor (the caveman who invented the wheel) did not deprive himself of meat, vegetables, or any other specific item. He consumed whatever nourishment was available. Therefore, I find it disturbing that religion (which is only a few thousand years old) would contradict survival mechanisms developed much earlier. This is just nonsense. Religion is intended to be an institution which guides people towards leading lives rooted in happiness, productivity, kindness, selflessness, etc. Since when did the content of one’s diet directly affect this? I know some Hindus argue that eating beef is horrible since cows symbolize life and have a profound interconnection with the religion itself, but come on. If the worldwide agricultural market suffered disease, drought, infestations, etc… would you rather die and take your precious religion to your grave? Or would you rather be a little rebellious but continue to uphold your faith as a living person? Seems like a no brainer to me.
As far as the Islamic extremists who point to their religion as a justification for attacking America, seriously, who are they kidding? What religion advocates the voluntary murder/hatred of anyone? Heck, if there was a small group of Hindus who attacked my beloved home country (America… not India 
), I would expect HINDUS to rally up and fight off the disgraceful extremist minority.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. People refer to this action as “keeping the status quo.” A Hindu living in America should not be considered an extremist if they eat beef. They’re just trying to assimilate into the culture and lifestyle (“doing as the Romans do.”) An Islamic terrorist who plots to kill American civilians on behalf of his or her faith is not keeping the status quo. They’re trying to get a message across. Trying to instill fear to gain pleasure. Though a minority, these extremists represent an ever-growing population of individuals who need to be held accountable by members of their own faith.
In summary, I believe that the way to gauge if something is an “extreme” action is by whether or not the motive is rooted in good or evil. Sounds simple and it is since everyone has an intuitive idea of what constitutes both ends.
I invite you to share your own perspectives on religion and how you draw the line between accepted and extreme actions by commenting!
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Published: 1 year, 4 months ago
God created man (maybe), and man created religion (definetely). In my life, I have come to realize that the most sincere and truthful people are agnostics, not the religious types. I have a problem with religion because from my perspective, it hinders people from having a healthy, independent mind, a mind open to the wildest of possibilities that could lead to absolute truth. I do “feel” there is a higher being out there but we are too primitive to know who or what God really is. The universe is about 15-20 billion years, mankind has only be around with intelligence for about 10 thousand years, and we have God figured out? I don’t think so. Even so, I respect people of every religion. If it makes them happy, then let the masses be happy. Religion is the sugar of the masses. In fact, it is necessary to have religions, as world order is dependent on them to a very large degree. Our legal systems are based on “thou shall not kill”, “thou should not steal”, etc.. However, isn’t religion suppose to lead to spiritual peace and a good moral code? What does a food diet have to do with religion then? Why can’t Hindus eat beef and Muslims pork? That is preposterous. Food has nothing to do with religion, and as such we should eat anything we want. It’s just a tradition, but people take it so serious. Salads are for rabbits. Fanatics and extremists rape their religion, the very principles of it. Watch, when extraterrestials finally make contact with us, religion will collapse.
Published: 1 year, 4 months ago
Rishi! Sorry for taking so long to comment! I really liked your note! I agreed with how extremisim should be “gauged.” However One thing I would comment on if the “no brainer” veggie comment. And Oscars “Food has nothing to do with religion comment.” One thing you MUST understand is that this is YOUR reality. Whats true to you, may not be to others! Besides, the religious type have holy books to back them up, rather than personal opinion
I often feel, people debunk ideas with enough knowledge. The truth is, the only true way you can debunk an idea is WITH knowledge. Any scientist should know that.
The pork thing for muslims is that the Qur’an says “Don’t eat animals with hooves.” (I believe the Bible says that as well in Leviticus).
So Food DOES have something to do with religion when its in our books.
But back to your note Rishi, I really liked it. But just a reminder to you and everyone, our personal thoughts are just that. Our personal thoughts. What is “preposterous” to you, may be normal to someone else. In fact, they might think you eating pork is “preposterous” as well. lol
And yes, as a muslim, I am ashamed of the extremists outburst these days. Although I must admit, in being the U.S.’s ally, Pakistan has suffered daily attacks, versus our one on 9/11.
And, oh! Rishi, I had a question!
I know you mentioned in your note your not a devout hindu, but is your Ohm necklace a representation of your belief in the diety? Is it comparable to a muslim wearing a head covering?
Published: 1 year, 4 months ago
I meant people debunk ideas WITHOUT enough knowledge.
Because the food thing ISN’T “tradition” but thanks for acting like you know about Islam, Oscar!
Published: 1 year, 4 months ago
I agree that the knowledge to support your thoughts is a backbone before preconcieved assumption are thrown out into the webworld…It is just another uneducated thought otherwise.. Please read more about Islam and proceed with thoughts afterwards….
Published: 1 year, 4 months ago
You’re right about the Om necklace, Rizwana. I wear it because, as I stated earlier, I need to accept the fact that there’s a “higher power” and believe in the explanations drafted by Hinduism. Plus I think it looks pretty fly.
Published: 1 year, 4 months ago
As far as I am concern religion is a book of guidance on how one shall live his or her life while on this earth. You are right Rishi the word “extreme” is very broad and it varies. In my most humble opinion I had to said there is nothing wrong with being an extreme Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Jew,or Christian as long as you do not go to the point of insulting others for their beliefs.
Oscar, as for food I dated a Jew for about two year and eating pork in restricted from their diet. The animal is dirty, consuming pork is like consuming human for us. I am sure that is the same for Muslim. I also know that some religion prohibit drinking miIk and eating meat since milk is suppose to give life. It hard to explain. Also some Hindu and Buddhist will not even eat meat since they believe in reincarnation, and the animal were once people in the past lives who commited sin. Food is big part to some people. WHY? because God himself prohibted them from it. He told them not to eat pork in Leviticus. Muslim are the same. It came from the mouth of the ALMIGHTY. There is nothing more important than that. I agree with Ms. Rizwana and many Muslim and Jews will be insulted.
Published: 1 year, 4 months ago
Rishi you have brought up one controversial topic(LOL). My motto is once you bring up religion there is going to major debate. As a saying go “Men will fight for the leaders, but they will died for their God.
Published: 1 year, 4 months ago
Haha, you’re right Fyfy! But controversial topics are great. You get to vocalize your own opinions while bouncing ideas off of others. Beneficial to everyone, if you ask me.
I’ll probably write some other religion-based post soon. Reading your comments really gives me a chance to learn about things I’m otherwise oblivious to.
Published: 1 year, 4 months ago
Hear hear! I really did enjoy this note and its comments tremendously..(Some more than others
)
Fyfy, i really like the quote you put up.
And I agree with Rishi when he says its about learning.
Strong convictions and beliefs whether pro or anti, should be a product of knowledge, not ignorance.
Know both sides, and than make a decision…
Rishi, you should write controversial posts just for the fun of it!
Published: 1 year, 4 months ago
Indeed sir, you have posted a controversial topic. Something that I find amusing, and you might also, is that in each person’s mind, they are “right”. Or that their perspective of life is the “correct” one. Indeed, everyone is right, and at the same time… everyone is wrong. If people go through life based on the Bible the Koran that is their wish, anyone is entitled to it. However, that doesn’t mean my perspective is flawed. I do not consider a book “holy” in the divine sense, because it was written by man. Of course, there is that defense mechanism by world religions, in that they were written by men “inspired” by THE God or the Holy Spirit. To this I say prove it…and all of a sudden, we can’t. Just like science cannot disprove the existence of God. So we are back to square one. How can we consider something VERITAS like religion if we are basing of a system of beliefs on scriptures that were first passed down orally for centuries before someone finally sat down to write them? Early scribes changed things, the early church omitted things, but here we are in these times willing to believe every character in these holy books as absolute truth. Tell a long joke, let it circulate the known world for hundreds of years and at the end, the joke you started with will be completely different. Is it really from the mouth of the Almighty that we cannot eat certain meats, or did a mere man just write that out of his imagination? We don’t know. Consider this thought experiment: What if I were to write a “religious” book, and go to an inhabited island where the people there have been untouched by modern civilization. If I were to try to preach to these people they would initially be reluctant, as they would very likely have their own god (s) already. However, if I were a good missionary and spread my word to these people on the island along with some help from other missionaries (especially if I were to threaten them with death as it was the case in many places for the other holy books) then it would catch on and spread, and the people would accept my book as “truth”. Of course, for it to work, my book will have to offer hope and promise peace, and instill a fear of condemnation in hell if they do not follow it. Does this make me Moses or like the other prophets? Well, yes and no. I started my own religion and people believe it (of course, I would never do it! Lol). I respect and like holy books but all I take from them is the interesting stories and the neat philosophy. Things haven’t differed from the past. If we were in ancient Greece, we would pray to Zeus and the other Olympian gods, and would do it zealously. Of course, this religion was eventually overthrown, and replaced. What is not to say that in a couple of thousand years humankind will not use other religions?
That is my perspective. To some I may be ever so wrong, but like I said, it is all a matter of perception. I do not believe in insulting anyone based on their beliefs. To me, that is plain ignorance. However, nobody can tell me I am wrong, or I tell you that you are wrong. All I have done is explain my point of view in an easy way to be understood. To people who are religiously devoted, I may evoke a sense of pity. “Poor kiddo” or I am so “wrong”. And that is what makes for interesting debates. Am I wrong? Am I right? Am I in between? I HAVE been exposed to scripture; I see flaws, because my nature is to question everything. Question everything and you will get places (Please don’t ban me, Rishi. Lol).
Published: 1 year, 4 months ago
Oscar, you new post was less offending than the last..
For you to say “its just a tradition and people take it so seriously” IS offending and IS ignorant…
Yes, you are entitled to your own beliefs, but once again, to what it seems you have ONLY been exposed to Christianity..keep it at that…
I wouldn’t try to analyze jews, christians or hindus, etc..because I havent been exposed to their beliefs or holy books…
so for you to make comments about Christianity is FINE..you KNOW enough about it..
but to include toher religions, about which you know nothing is simple ignorance..
UNDERSTANDING and AGREEING are two different concepts..
I HOPE after this blog you now know.. “oh muslims dont eat pig because the quran commands so”
that doesnt mean you have to agree with it, but you should know the reason is not “tradition” lol..that was a very poor choice of a word…
“tradition” is created by MAN.. i.e. thanksgiving, halloween, wearing a white dress at a wedding….these are TRADITIONS..
and to say “people take it so seriously” was also ignorant…
Fyfy and I didnt “jump” on your back ridiculing your thoughts..your not religious…ok, your problem..
but it seemed you were ridiculing those who are religious…
Published: 1 year, 4 months ago
Here’s a topic…
Science vs. Religion..
Now as the saying goes “science and religion don’t mix”
but as rishi stated in his blog…you can only trace science back to a certain point..beyond that you have to agree theres a God…
My thought is…Science and Religion do mix..
God created Religion, God created Science..
God made man. Man makes man.
Someone must have started the cycle…therefore science ultimately turns into Religion..
What say you Rishi?
New Blog idea?
Published: 1 year, 4 months ago
This will be my last comment on this topic. There is evidence to science. You can see mitosis and meosis happening. That is why science is taught base of theories. And you must have evidence to back it up those theories, otherwise your theory will be invalid. You learn that in senior seminar. Religion is NOT base on facts, but on belief. Belief is trusting with all of your heart and soul, even when you do not have the fact to back it up. That is the WHOLE point of religion. No one can see God, Jesus, Yahew, or Allah, but if you ask them if they can feel their God’s presence in their daily life, they say YES. I don’t see the point in insulting religious people as long as they do not attack you. Even then you attack them, not their religion. Basically you should not blame God for the action of man. Man are responsible for his own action, not God. We, as human tend to bIame man’s action on God, instead of the man himself. I had nothing against religion. Hey if a man wish to worship Zeus or Ra, it is fine with me. Religion suppose to give us hope. If you take away religion you take away hope, without hope there is no point of living.
P.S . science also proven science to be wrong People once though the atom was the smallest particle, until they discover proton and neutron. I could go on, and on. Truth to said nothing is actually facts on this earth. It is all theories. Paradigm shift is the word.
Published: 1 year, 4 months ago
I am sorry if I offended you Rizwana. I can be very ignorant on many subjects. Religion usually not being one of them. I am actually reading the Qu Ran on and off. Like I did for the whole Bible, so when I am confronted with people that know it, I know what is in it and what is not and can talk about it. And I was not singling out your religion, I was talking as a whole. LOL. Science vs. religion? Well, it’s a tie. Neither can knock the other out, and working together, both can lead to great stuff.
(Really, I am reading it) =)
Published: 1 year, 4 months ago
Its okay Oscar! Reading all the posts here has enlightened me alot! I now see from your point of view, and hopefully you mine!
Ignorance is ok as long as it helps to educate. And I think we all are ignorant, and life is about learning!
Wow, you’re reading the quran? Thats nice to hear. What prompted you to do this?
Fyfy, I think you should go for a PhD, or Journalism! Seriously!
Published: 1 year, 4 months ago
Yes, we can alI learn from each other. Rishi is a master tactician, he already knew this blog was going to get debate. I was prompted me to read and be informed about the Quran was because I know it is a peaceful religion and was wondering why super-extremists were engaging in terrorism, and promoting Jihad, using it as a means to an end. I don’t believe that people should stereotype followers of Islam with those type of extremists. I like to learn about everything, which results in me not focusing on some science classes! It’s Rishi’s fault… =)
Published: 1 year, 4 months ago
Just as a disclaimer: You cannot hold me responsible for any damage to your GPA.
Published: 1 year, 4 months ago
Rishi… I better not get a B on the the next Drug Action test… I don’t want to hex you…lol
And where is the Forum?
Published: 1 year, 4 months ago
It’s still here but I took down the link since I’m doing some maintenance. I’ll put it back up later this week. RK-Forum