Author: Emmunah » Tue Jun 21, 2005 7:46 pm
Hi oe,
I don't think there are any countries that have Islam as the "official" religion that are very tolerant. This is why I don't believe in official religions, not Judaism, not Christianity, not Islam. It always gets governments involved with religion, and pretty soon the chief clerics are making laws that get into poeple's lives and tell them how they may dress, if they may drink, what they may eat, and even when they may open their store, drive ect... It's even difficult when you are not the same kind of Muslim as others, or as the clerics in the government.
Governments need constitutions based on universal human rights, not baseed on a religious creed. Ethnic identity is fine, but even that can get out of hand. Religious identity based systems are even worse.
We need to learn to treat people like human beings with the right to freedom of worship (or not), freedom of speech, freedom of movement, freedom to vote (or not), freedom of the press, freedom to use a fair and impartial court system and freedom to be who they want provided they do not force their beliefs on others. All the conservative systems that you are in favor of (tribal government, institutionalized religion) don't work very well for anyone. I think you say that it's an evolution, but more often than not, once it is selected and in place it becomes more oppressive rather than allowing people to evolve and grow out of it. Everyone should be proud of their own traditions, their own religion and everyone should celebrate with each other our differences and our similarities. This makes a good cohesive society, with less war and more prosperity.
I want to go to the weddings, the Eid's the holy sites with my Muslim brothers and sisters. I want my Muslim brothers and sisters to be free to walk into the synagogue and go to the weddings, the passover seders and the festivals with me. I want to see the beautiful churches and hear the Ave Maria sung in a Cathedral....I want to be humbled by the faith of the Nuns and Priests. All of this can exist together, but not if the State is involved in it. Wherever there is too much religion in the state, they corrupt each other.
Never look down on somebody unless you are helping them up.
You grow up the day you have your first real laugh.... at yourself.