A 'True' Religion Is An Oxymoron

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 16 May 2024 "Aqaed Vaham Hain, Mazhab Khayal-e-Khaam Hai, Saaqi Azal Se Zehn-e-Insaan, Basta-e-Auhaam Hai, Saaqi" -Sahir Ludhainavi (All customs and rituals are illusions, faith is a futile thought / Right from the beginning of civilization, the mind of man has been a bag of garbage / useless things) One reader believes that those who criticize 'true' religions lack seriousness and are not deep thinkers. Only those who're shallow, indulge in religion-bashing. Great! First of all, let me know, what's a 'true' religion? Isn't it an oxymoron like 'happily married'? You're either happy or married! To cut the matter short, all religions are false and fabricated. The problem with an average Muslim mind is that however 'educated' and 'evolved' it may be, it cannot go beyond the precincts of Islam and continues to labour under the delusion that it's the only 'true' faith. Those who're 'educated' Muslims and seemingly liberal, may condescendingly say that other faiths are also 'true' but deep down it's their Islam that's the only true faith to them. So, whenever Islam is criticised, these faithfuls get worked up. Now coming back to the validity of any faith, it's your hardened religiosity that strengthens your belief. That's why, any damn plausible and specious explanations to religious beliefs and verses are true and sacrosanct to such religiously yoked and enslaved people. This behaviour is prevalent among the followers of all bogus faiths but disturbingly obvious among the Muslims. Why're you obsessed with religion/s? Can't you become a good human sans it? Can't you lead a morally upright life without god and religion? Why do you require crutches? Haven't you read and heard what all faiths have done to humankind? If you think that someone's criticism of religions is ad nauseam, why shouldn't all faiths be condemned repeatedly? To quote Salman Rushdie, " Ad nauseam is desirable only when a religion is criticised because no amount of condemnation is enough in this case." We're living in the 21st-century. We cannot regulate our lives by the ethos and dictums of centuries old faiths that lost their utility aeons ago. Think universally. I might sound pontificating but it's what humanity needs for survival in a religiously surcharged world. Look at India and look at the rapidly increasing religiosity of otherwise docile Hindus. Aren't Muslims insecure? You may say, " I'm not." Okay, but your brethren are. Stop criticizing those who criticize all faiths. They've a universal vision and are not hidebound like the majority of devout Hindus, Muslims, Christians among others. ---- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/religion-oxymoron/d/132324 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism