Religious fanaticism in the Middle East? I say to America, look closer to home.
Right, now before i go on with this post let me just say a few things. No, i do not intend to insult my friends whom are Christian with this post. No, i do not say that Christianity= religious fanaticism=bad. And, no, i do not say that Christianity is a religion that promotes fanaticism.
The real issue, as with ALL religions, is the interpretation of it. We are living in a world now, where there are people, who for some retarded reason, interpret religion......differently.
Right, before we go on, here's my view on religion:
1) its personal: How i wish to follow my religion is my own business. NOONE has the right to say its an incorrect method bla bla bla....cause after all, the concept of religion is man's.
2) I am not religious, so everything i will say here will be based on a free thinker's point of view. (i refrain from using the term atheist, as it was coined by religious people to differentiate themselves from the not-so-religious, so much so, its now a standard part of our vocab
3) There is a limit to religious belief. Religious people. I'm sorry. But reality and logic and common sense prevail over the belief that god will make things ok.....
4) It is NOT wrong to have faith. I encourage it in fact. There is a limit however.
5) No one has the right to say that another's concept of god within the same religion is misguided.
Righto, on to the actual post..................
Jesus Camp is a movie along the lines of Michael Moore's documentaries. It takes a hard look at what's goin on behind the scenes in America. The trailer pretty much sums up what the movie is all about. Its the widespread and blatant brainwashing of children that is the major issue here.
Don't get me wrong people. Installing belief in god and religion in children by parents is NOT wrong. Religion and some belief in it at an early age is an essential part of parenting in families whom are of a certain religion. I'm a hindu, and yes, my uncles and aunts and parents and grandparent used to take me to the temple every friday for prayers, and yes we do celebrate certain religious functions at home. But it was left at that. I was taught to rely on my own brains NOT religion for solutions to everyday problems.
As i grew older, I was given freedom to think for myself and to make my own decisions. My parents do not resent the fact that i do not believe in god. But i do oblige them by following them to the temple once a month when they ask for it.
I am not forced to follow the so called rules of my religion rigorously. Its after all as my dad said "Its your call". I eat beef. Why? Cause it tastes good, and its healthier than mutton. Its a decision my dad allowed me to make. But, just cause i have that freedom, doesn't mean i flaunt it openly.
I do not or rather, never will eat beef in front of my family other than my dad, nor in front of my Indian friends. Its called common courtesy. As much as i want them to respect my views on religion, i have to respect theirs as well. Its a give and take situation.
Right, onto the subject of "Jesus Camp".
It was scary. Watching a kid being obsessed with religion is like watching the same religious fanatics in the Middle East. You get a chill down your spine. We freely label religious fanatics as potential terrorists (ok, so its only the Americans who do that) but that's not the issue here. I'm not worried that these kids are gonna bomb my home in future. Its the fact that they seem so far removed from reality which is terrifying. Did you watch the part where the kids makes this speech about them being the so called t-generation that will herald the coming of Jesus Christ, while the camp coordinator whoops in agreement? This is the nonsense that goes around in america and pretty much many other places in the world. The same thing happens in the madrasahs and in the home of ulamas all over the world. Not to mention in the various temples of the rabbis as well. Who is to say the same thing isn't happening all over the world in every religious institution?
Its the brainwashing of people into escaping behind some pseudo-reality that is religious, pardon, extreme religious belief which is scary. The question remains, is this the indication that we all are going to be living in a theocratic world in future?
Far removed from reality....................
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