Karma

Life has a way of coming full circle.

Hat tip: The one and only Alice.

Fundamental Friday Facts

Religion, democracy and fundamentalism

Religion and democracy work. In fact, the two nations where religious values and democracy are ‘at peace,’ Israel and the United States, are two of the most open, progressive and successful on the face of the earth, each with high standards of living.

Nations where religious values are imposed and democratic principles of equality and freedoms for the individual are rejected, are among the most backward and failed nations on the face of the earth.

Jewish and Christian expressions of fundamentalism are predicated on free will and behavior. Islamic fundamentalism is predicated on Sharia Law. Jewish and Christian fundamentalists can practice their faith anywhere. Islamist expressions of fundamentalism cannot be satisfied until the demand that Sharia Law is imposed, even on non-Muslims, is met.

With very few exceptions, Jewish and Christian fundamentalists do not advocate, preach or justify violence. With very few exceptions, Muslim fundamentalists do advocate, and justify violence.

The majority of Jewish and Christian fundamentalists are motivated in their religiosity in terms of elevation- that is, they believe gentle and kind behavior will ‘find favor in God’s eyes,’ and thus, they will find both earthly and Heavenly rewards. Muslim fundamentalists are motivated by ‘humiliations,’ heaped upon them not by their own behaviors, but by the behavior of others. They believe they can find redemption and salvation through violence directed at others. The fundamentalists speak not only for God and take actions on His behalf, but they also insist that their logic is His logic and that their politics is His politics.

Fundamentalism, Jewish, Christian or Muslim, is in fact a political ideology, not a religious one. Jewish and Christian fundamentalists understand that God is universal, given to all mankind. That they choose a fundamentalist lifestyle does not lessen God’s attachment to others. Their expressions of faith are a personal choice, or calling. Jewish and Christian fundamentalism is not to be imposed.

Islamist fundamentalism are various ideologies that are meant to be imposed on all believers (and non believers). Not accepting imposed fundamentalism can lead to being labeled an ‘apostate,’ and being subject to all manner of punishment, including death. Islamist fundamentalists also believe that they and they alone, are God’s ‘gatekeepers.

Think about it.