I think one of the greatest reasons people become attached to their religion and deep down inside really want to believe in it, is due to the role it plays in their identity.
Some religions, this is more so. For example, in Islam, "honour belongs to God, his Messenger, and the believers". It doesn't state it belongs to good people whom are not believers. HONOR which humans value is put all into being a firm believer.
In Judaism, Jews are suppose to be God's chosen people. It gives a sense of honor and superiority.
In Christianity, people whom don't believe in Christ is said to be due to darkness of hearts, while believers are hand picked by God to be saved (this implies they must have something over others).
I think a lot is invested in this "ego", and it's central to the psychology of the person.
It's not only about how you see yourself, but how you see your community and how you see other communities.
I know I emphasized almost everything in being "guided". It was the most important thing to me.
I wanted to be guided towards the true path.
What I'm realizing now, is that truth and falsehood doesn't make one greater or less great.
It's not all about having the truth. Everyone is in their own zone.
I realize people like Allamah Tabatabai were in their own zone, and they felt they were sure of the their religion and sect and path being the correct one. He probably had his mystical experiences which made him feel even more strongly about his faith and path.
This is one reason why I can't accept this notion that people will go to hell for not believing in the right creed. Also I can't accept superiority of a people of a certain creed over another.
I think there is good and bad people in all creeds and in all nations and in all races.
Good people are good people and should be honoured as such regardless of their creed.
But what religions like Islam and Christianity does, it dishonours those outside the faith and honours those inside the faith.
People grow up with this identity rooted in them.
I sort reflect over my old self, how my concept of myself was so much rooted in Shiite Islam. My thought of others was also rooted in that.
I never imagined myself leaving religion. I could swear I was sure. But I realize now, I thought with too much emotion.
That's the thing. People confuse with their strong emotion to religion, to their strength of belief.
The more emotion you invest, the stronger your belief feels.
And the strong emotion lent to religion is driven out of identity struggle that seeks to put oneself a high position, relative to other world views that seek to put onself in a lower position.
This identity war is what drives Sunnis and Shias against each other. It's what divides people and creates hate between people.
If it's not religion, it's nationalism, race, culture, etc...
Some religions, this is more so. For example, in Islam, "honour belongs to God, his Messenger, and the believers". It doesn't state it belongs to good people whom are not believers. HONOR which humans value is put all into being a firm believer.
In Judaism, Jews are suppose to be God's chosen people. It gives a sense of honor and superiority.
In Christianity, people whom don't believe in Christ is said to be due to darkness of hearts, while believers are hand picked by God to be saved (this implies they must have something over others).
I think a lot is invested in this "ego", and it's central to the psychology of the person.
It's not only about how you see yourself, but how you see your community and how you see other communities.
I know I emphasized almost everything in being "guided". It was the most important thing to me.
I wanted to be guided towards the true path.
What I'm realizing now, is that truth and falsehood doesn't make one greater or less great.
It's not all about having the truth. Everyone is in their own zone.
I realize people like Allamah Tabatabai were in their own zone, and they felt they were sure of the their religion and sect and path being the correct one. He probably had his mystical experiences which made him feel even more strongly about his faith and path.
This is one reason why I can't accept this notion that people will go to hell for not believing in the right creed. Also I can't accept superiority of a people of a certain creed over another.
I think there is good and bad people in all creeds and in all nations and in all races.
Good people are good people and should be honoured as such regardless of their creed.
But what religions like Islam and Christianity does, it dishonours those outside the faith and honours those inside the faith.
People grow up with this identity rooted in them.
I sort reflect over my old self, how my concept of myself was so much rooted in Shiite Islam. My thought of others was also rooted in that.
I never imagined myself leaving religion. I could swear I was sure. But I realize now, I thought with too much emotion.
That's the thing. People confuse with their strong emotion to religion, to their strength of belief.
The more emotion you invest, the stronger your belief feels.
And the strong emotion lent to religion is driven out of identity struggle that seeks to put oneself a high position, relative to other world views that seek to put onself in a lower position.
This identity war is what drives Sunnis and Shias against each other. It's what divides people and creates hate between people.
If it's not religion, it's nationalism, race, culture, etc...
