Some people call themselves socialists because they believe in the philosophy that advocates government controlled economy, at almost complete odds with those who favour unregulated capitalism (apart from when the corporations need saving of course, then it's state to the rescue!). The theory of socialism comes from books yet one would not call a socialist 'retarded' or whatever otherwise abuse people level at people of religion.
Some would say Islam is close to socialism, in that the government should be responsible for the well-being of its people, to make sure everyone has an entitlement. Islam does not discourage enterprise and business in contrast to the Biblical quote which is 'it is easier for a camel to enter the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God'. It however always emphasises social responsibility in economic terms by laying out that everyone pay 2.5% of their salary, after expenses and living costs, to charity. If everyone in the world did just this no-one would be hungry this Christmas, or any day for that matter. This is a minimum percentage and most go beyond this recommendation ALTRUISTICALLY, especially in Ramadan which serves as a yearly reminder to think of others. Monetarily the banning of interest in Islam (and the Bible) makes economic sense, it means that every man, woman and child does not have to be ENSLAVED by this so-called FREE market. The more money you have, means the more interest you deserve to get? And when you are in overdraft you get kicked in the teeth and interest deducted from your already low funds? This is perverse.
Ramadan, even something as simple and universal as fasting has been contested by others in my life yet most religions practice this. It would be amazing if people thought about people other than themselves and their immediate circle EVERY SINGLE DAY, but the fact is they DO NOT and Ramadan is just a practical way of reminding people of others who are less fortunate. It is merely 30 days out of 365 in which from dawn to dusk we experience a REAL EMPATHY for those who do not have the means to eventually break their 'fast' at will, and not a momentary and useless 'awww how sad'. Although it is a mere taste (for want of a better word) of how the starving feel, not being able to simply have a snack whenever you like makes you more disciplined, makes you think of things other than your next meal and more aware of how you behave. This discipline you experience is intended to affect how you then live the rest of your year/life. If you can constantly improve your sense of discipline and empathy you will NEVER BE ENSLAVED by things that are bad for you and waste your time. It has also been medically proven that fasting serves as a detox and is not punishing on health, even for those who are professional athletes.
People bemoan religionists but as long as someone has a moral code who gives a shit about what someone believes in their heart? If you want someone to agree with everything you believe in, you may as well be a fascist. A book that is holy is of course not the be all and end all of one's moral code or education it is just part of it, just like so many elements in life and sources make you the person you are. EDUCATION is at the forefront of Islam, and no holy book says you should only read that book yet education is not as yet a human right in man-made law. Furthermore, saying a book of morals is not necessary is like saying man-made laws should not be in common law or within statute because everyone knows what the law is anyway.
I don't know one single person that does good things solely for a 'reward' in the afterlife consciously or not, this is an arrogant assumption made by arrogant people. Then again, there are psychologists who say that no-one does good deeds TRULY altruistically because they want recognition, hence most charitable donations are not anonymous. Either way, this disproves any theory that only religionists do good deeds for reward like a dog would. There are various way in which people as a whole can be persuaded to do good, for many, doing good for good's sake is enough, but if this were enough there would be no need for laws, for jails and for any criminal reprimand. Like it or not, some lack a moral compass for various reasons so must be persuaded to not commit wrongs out of fear of punishment by God or law, whether it is murder and rape or tax evasion or benefit fraud. Out of 600 verses in the Qur'an, detailing of punishments make up ten sentences. Punishment (hell/imprisonment specifically) is a last resort in the case of God or law. All the while, forgiveness and redemption is always available for those who truly regret any wrong they have done in the case of God and not law.
The books of the Abrahamic religions speak of VIOLENCE and WAR because they are stories of what happened in those times, and yet to think that today in 2011 that we are above that same violence and war is to live in LA LA LAND. In the UK, in a little over a decade we have instigated and participated in wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya and profiteer from the weapons we sell to repressive governments. The US are the same, but have also dabbled in cowardly drone focused violence in Yemen, Somalia and Pakistan. We may not kill many of own like other governments do but we send our soldiers to war which does not involving defending our land, honour or people. The three things in which Islam say war is deemed necessary in self-defence. War is not pretty, most of the times counter-productive but 100% can be summed up by Prophet Muhammad who said 'War is deceit'. Yet MAN insists on violence and going to war; self-professed religious devotees, secularists and non-believers, it is unfortunately an inevitable part of life which holy and non-holy books must deal with if they deal in reality as well as spirituality. There are many man-made disasters, if not war, politicians override scientifically proven concerns for the environment of our planet because nobody wants to sacrifice a tiny part of their economies. This is nothing to do with religion or God but the stupidity of MAN.
A definition of God is not a human concocted, and in particular, Western concocted idea of a superhero, who saves people from evil, that is meant to be our job. But we are obviously shit at it and are looking for someone to blame. It would be nice if one single thing was responsible for all evil in humanity i.e. religion, but sorry that is not the case.
We in the Western world like to think we are free, yes we have more freedoms relative to other countries, but we are certainly more subservient to the will of our governments so how are we superior to the 'chains' of religion? Furthermore, is worshipping a deity worse than worshipping money?
Take something from each ideology and think for yourselves, don't demonise one, especially if you know little about it. Question everything and try to piece books and stories together from its CONTEXT and decide what might be as fair and just as life can be made for EVERYONE. Stop dwelling on the faults in all ideologies. Instead, be aware of them and harness their strengths. Extremes of belief, philosophy, thought or ideology have ever and always did little to serve the needs of mankind other than to create chaos, whether that be from religion or atheism or whateverism. All people need to start being more open-minded and stop being so far up their own arses and take their unholy crusade elsewhere.
I have come to the conclusion that being a lefty is compatible with believing in God, what is not compatible with being a lefty is stereotyping, bullying, mocking, ignorance and generally being intolerant.See also http://anbarrockny.blogspot.com/
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