Muslims certainly needs to fuckin relax a little when it comes to matters of FAITH/BELIEF. They need to realize that there is nothing which sets their religion apart from the other religions out there, when it comes to strong evidence. Its all due to indoctrination they are even muslims. So chill the fuck out already! (sorry, but I feel quite strong about this, because I believe that until muslims are ready to adopt a mellowed approach to their religion, no solution will come about)
I agree with a lot in this piece by Ali A Rizvi
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ali-a-rizvi/on-belief-identity-a-lett_b_7701278.htmlRemember, your religious beliefs are not you. They are simply part of the medium you were cultured in when you were raised. You know, deep down, that if you were born in a Hindu family, you'd be Hindu. You know, deep down, that your faith is really just an accident of birth. How can it possibly be about ideas then? Ideas don't come with birth. But much of what makes up your sense of identity does.
Many religious communities have now evolved beyond their religious beliefs. In effect, they've secularized their religions. Judeo-Christian scripture isn't vastly different from Islamic scripture. Yet many Jews are able to hold on to their cultural identities and customs without the burden of believing in Judaism. Many Catholics are able to celebrate Christmas and Easter without the burden of believing they'll go to hell for using birth control or being pro-choice.
Similarly, just because you identify with the Muslim experience doesn't mean you have to justify and defend every line in your book. Especially when you know, deep down, you don't really agree with all of it. No rational, thinking person can agree with every single idea in any book.
Why must young Muslims have to subscribe to an infallible, unquestionable belief system in order to stay part of their families and communities? Why must they be excommunicated from their own lives for thinking differently? How can we expect these young men and women to move forward if simply disagreeing with the rest of the club carries the risk of lifelong isolation, ostracization, and even harsh punishment?
There needs to be a way for Muslim youth to be able to think freely, question ideas, and come to different conclusions without having to lose their sense of identity or their connection to the life and people that they love. We need to let reformist Muslims, secular Muslims, questioning Muslims, agnostic/atheist Muslims, and ex-Muslims into the dialogue on Islam, to make it as diverse, varied, and complex as the Muslim world itself.
I understand if this sounds strange, contradictory, or impossible to you. At one point, it did to me too. But do take the time to think about it -- and be truly honest with yourself.
Topic: On Belief vs. Identity: Letter to a Young North American Muslim