Does religion advance or impede humanity?
by Dr. Douglas M King
While adhering strongly to my atheist ideology, I can’t help thinking that in many ways, I and others like me I are more “religious” than those who express their deep and sincere religious convictions. As a secular Jew, this is more to do with my birth and cultural identity than any religious doctrines.
At the heart of most religions is the way we treat other human beings and all living things including the abundance in nature. The writings of the Bible, Koran and similar tracts, including in Buddhism, which predates Christianity, focus on humanity, compassion and positive community values. These are written in different ways, different languages and with different origins.
Whether Moses was given the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai by God or the Koran was inspired by Allah to Mohamed is not as fundamental as to the real meanings of the writings however they evolved. But so much of these philosophies have been lost in thought and practice and often only heard in prayer during religious services.
Many of the violent conflicts that have in the past and certainly currently have a base in religious differences. These are often not concerned with human values but more akin to territorial disputes, and the power and status of self-appointed leaders. The schism between Catholics and Protestants has a basis that emanates from the theological writings of Martin Luther in the 16th. Century. There are at least ten fundamental differences in belief and practice but few of these, if any, are connected with human relationships. But in essence all religions have a belief in and worship of a superhuman power or powers, especially a God or Gods. This is the only aspect that theoretically unites them. But what has now come to identify a specific religion are the outward manifestations of their belief. For women, covering your whole body in black clothing including your face is a vital belief for many fundamental Muslims. Sometimes this has become so important in some countries that failure to adhere to this practice can bring violent reactions by individuals or governments.
Men can also be included in similar practices, especially of the necessity showing a beard and even this has different requirements as to its length. Wearing shorts, even for boys is forbidden and a certain style of cap and clothing adds to the identification. Religious Jews also have their appearances connected with the level of orthodoxy. Those men with ultra-religious belief wear a costume akin to Poland in previous centuries and must cover their heads at all times as well as sporting a beard and side curls hanging below the ears. The less orthodox need only a dark suit, no tie, and a conventional hat. Even modern Jewish orthodoxy requires a skull cap for men, and depending on Israeli politics this can be plain black or a small colourful knitted one for so-called “settlers” in occupied areas in Israel.
There are numerous branches of Christianity, even among Catholic beliefs. Mormons are particularly conservative in their dress code and practice, and the Amish in the USA have a very different approach to their Christianity which negates use of anything “modern” including vehicles and electronics.
Buddhism is not really a religion in the sense of belief in a God, but the Buddha image in picture or statue reminds people of his historical presence in a similar way that the image does of Jesus or Gods in Hinduism. In countries such as India and Sri Lanka, the costume of Buddhist, Hindu or Muslim women is a clear cultural and religious identification. But apart from the outward manifestations of religions, in some countries it can be illegal to make critical or negative remarks about a religion and can even lead to a violent reaction by thousands of believers.
Possibly only Jews and Muslims have rules that specify foods that cannot be eaten. More recently there was a legal religious and violent dispute that allows only Muslims to use the word Allah as God’s name. With highly orthodox Jews, the actual name of God cannot be spoken or written unless in prayer. Numerous practices, far more than briefly alluded to in this article that bring an identity most religions. Very few of these have any connection or reference to “humanity” as defined by “the quality of being kind, fair and helpful to all people and animals by ensuring they do not suffer more than is necessary”. As an individual I oppose all forms of violence, in wars or otherwise, and like millions of other like-minded people try to alleviate inequality, poverty and injustice in some measurable ways however small. I don’t rely on religious doctrine to show me how to do this. People in various countries have deep religious beliefs and practices that seemingly excludes the positive aspects of their religion as previously mentioned. Some of these beliefs are used to justify armed conflict even within different shades of particular religions. Over many centuries, religion has inspired equality, compassion and care and continues to do so but sadly this makes little influence and impact on those so closely following a particular faith. When will people of all faiths live their lives according to the real principles and many teachings of the religions that are so important to them?
Shrines, statues, laws, styles of dress, religious edicts and personal adornment that are symbols of their faith, hardly reminds people how to positively treat those of the same faith or those of others. My “non-belief” allows me to make my own decisions about humanity free of any institutionalised doctrine rather than the sterile lip service of so many in practicing their religion. Religion can and should play a positive role but only when its free of nationalist, partisan and political connections and the identities that promotes this.
