Troubling thoughts on religious education

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YOURSAY | ‘It needs to be more inclusive to allay the misconceptions of the public.’

How 'middle ground Muslims' share blame for extremism

MA: Very thought-provoking and a well-written piece by Mohd Tajudin Mohd Rasdi. Thanks for sharing your views on the stand of middle-ground Muslims, which has been baffling Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Unfortunately, what you have written is very true.

Just ask any ordinary Muslim on the tragedies created in the name of religion and these Muslims will blame everything else but themselves or the way Islam is being propagated and by concluding "Islam is a beautiful religion" or if stuck in situation with no compromise - "if you do not understand or are not a Muslim; please do not talk about it".

I just want to touch on one part of your article: "I read a book by Perlis mufti Asri Zainul Abidin who wrote, ‘It would be a sad thing if Allah allows non-Muslims who are good into heaven and ignore us Muslims.’”

This concept of who's fit to go to heaven has also been a thorny issue to millions of Catholics who think the redemptive embrace of God is only for the chosen few.

"Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus" meaning "Outside the Church there is no salvation" has often being misunderstood and has baffled many Christians (Catholics) over the centuries.

Where then do great thinkers, Holy men and women of all the major religions, great men like Nelson Mandela or Mahatma Gandhi, fit into this great salvation plan for mankind?

I seriously think Muslims the world over must be brave and ask hard hitting questions about God, creation and salvation, and do not rely too much on what some religious scholars or imam tell you, even if it sounds extremely absurd. And, hopefully as they say, "the truth will set you free".

Factnot fiction: Indeed, no one is perfect, no human teaching is perfect - only God is.

Unafraid: Sir, I applaud you on your sound understanding of your religion. It is logical, balanced and certainly coherent. It's a good analysis and speaks volumes against all the negative perceptions on Islam, propagated by extremists.

As you say, it needs to be more inclusive. By so doing, it will allay the fears and misconceptions of the public on your religion and at the same time, open up the mindsets of your ardent followers to embrace freedom of choice.

I look forward to the day your progressive thinking is translated into practice.

Hplooi: Yes, dear professor, the middle ground has been moving since the 70s. What was middle ground then and now, are "ne'er the twain shall meet".

How did this come about? I conjecture the growth of madrassah worldwide funded by the well-heeled Saudi Wahhabis, and this phenomenon started from the 70s. But I only conjecture.

Angry Citizen: Beautifully elucidated and a reminder to people of all faiths, not just Muslims, although as the good professor has stated, they have more to do in making this world a better place for all.

Chipmunk: Professor Tajudin, your article hits the nail right where it belongs. I do hope that many Muslims will have an open mind when they read your article.

Shanafrica: Good analysis. I hope many Muslims get to read this. If you have access to Malay online news or newspapers, this article may be useful.

I sincerely hope the subject ‘basic studies in comparative religions’, is introduced in all secondary schools. It will open up their mind. Especially the law of karma philosophy.

Pemerhati: Tajudin said, “I never sent my children to any religious school because I do not want them to be bigots, nationalists and racist individuals.”

That means he believes that excessive religious education is harmful to society and should not be encouraged. A lot of smart and enlightened 20th and 21st century people would probably agree with him.

Nobel laureate and famous philosopher Bertrand Russell said: “All faiths do harm. We may define ‘faith’ as a firm belief in something for which there is no evidence. Where there is evidence, no one speaks of ‘faith’.

“We do not speak of faith that two and two are four or that the earth is round. Science can teach us … to no longer invent allies in the sky but to look to our own efforts.”

Tan Kim Keong: Excellent analysis and a validated one too. This is the reality and because of this reality many have left this country for good and just as many are contemplating leaving too in view of the foreseeable future for non-Malays. Sad but true.

AJ: It is accepted that most religions say that they hold the key to heaven; Islam is no different and it's their prerogative. Only God himself can say any different, and He is quiet.

However, it cannot be denied that there seems to be a direct link to the act of killing and the reason for it seems to be emanating from the holy book itself, as claimed by the so-called purist killers.

And there seems to be, at least to the perpetrators, evidence that the reason to kill overwhelms every other goodness you mentioned.

I believe that this alone prevents the outright condemnation of these evil deeds from Muslims everywhere. Unless this unequivocally rejected by all Islamic ulama privately and publicly, there will be no end to this ungodly nightmare.

SadMsian: One will never understand another if one has a closed heart.


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