A Conversation on Faith

The other day an interesting piece of dialogue on religion caught my attention in ‘letters to editor’ section in the Foreign policy magazine. An exchange of views on Islam and its perceived partake on fundamentalism seemed to be the debate between Sam Harris and Karen Armstrong. Both the writers shared their sagacity on the issue and in a way inspired me. An argument on religion, in my view, is particularly sensitive, be it Islam or any other form. This however does not mean that in order to discuss religion one needs to be a prophetic or an authoritarian on system of beliefs. Any religion, according to me, is a system of religiosity, a doctrine for oneness and communion not only with God or the Holy Scriptures but within us and with others. Such veneration for religion, Islam, Christianity or so many other forms is actually our faith or an allegiance with principles that we are born and brought up with. So how can any religion create an antagonistic pattern? But we people who represent different forms of religious identities sure can. It’s our thinking-feeling patterns and obviously our perceptions and sometimes social/community pressures that incite us to trespass creed. 

As for ‘fundamentalism’, it is a component that seems to be present in most religions. Such ideals sometimes act as foundations leading to fanatics, a state of extreme emotions. This extremism can be our ‘good or bad’ emotions and no religion in my perspective would motivate us to act against humanity or the ideals to preserve it. In my view, focal for any religion is faith, a foundation that inspires to love and be loved. Such zeal is always deep inside; it just needs to penetrate our heart and mind to see all human beings as unique, all religions as equal and all fundamental principles as single entity that respect dignity in humanitarian relationships. Also, human nature and the capability of our mind as a dense and dynamic characteristic, sometimes forges us to affliction in the name of religion. How deeply is it justified using God as an instrument of disharmony or associating devotion with emotionally charged movements that may benefit few in the society? Having an eye for faith, on the other hand, can seed our theological desires and help us to internalize happiness in whatever religious identity our destiny brought us into.

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