Impact of Islam, or religion on humanity
Tim Sussmann
Background
Belief in a power greater than the human body has been engrained in most civilizations throughout human history. When I think of turning points in human history, I realize that the path of “religion” (in whatever form it is chosen to be viewed) is a very potent one. What is surprising to me is the amount of different concepts and beliefs surrounding these higher powers. There have been a plethora of different belief systems, from Animism to Christianity, some may have been more influential than others, and some have been around longer than others, but the desire to reach to something more still remains. Muhammad, from the Islamic religion felt this curious urge to find the truth of the universe. The urge to bring truth to his people drove him to create a new religion which may or may not have changed the course of humanity.
Turning Point
What we are curious about is how the Islamic faith changed the course of humanity. When pondering this question we came across facts that point us deeper into history. The main fact is that Jews, Christians, and Muslims all have a similar religious and intellectual origin, which is in the area of Ancient Egypt (in praise of polytheism, john docker). What is comical about these religions is that they all think they know the truth and push their beliefs upon others. In our opinion, the overconfidence of these religions has changed the course of humanity. We say this because the religions prior to these did not push their belief systems on others, Polytheism, which is also addressed in this encyclopedia, was a style of belief that seemed to promote optional participation. If Polytheism was still the dominating religion the shift in the human psyche may not have taken place. When we acknowledge the shift in human psyche we regard the close-mindedness of people after polytheism went by the wayside. When something is pushed upon someone, they will either accept it, or reject it. Either action will create change, the religion that is promoting itself, may force itself upon the people, most likely by fear of condemnation, which results in a buildup of fear in people. An outcome of this could be that people act in rash and mindless ways to subconsciously express the fear, which may relieve the uncomfortable feeling. Or they may close off to others, and become a recluse of their own belief system. If the people accept the new religion, they then change their belief system and the way they go about their daily life. The major turning point that needs to be addressed when considering Islam is the shift from Polytheism to Monotheism. What happened after Monotheism was created and what would humanity have been like if polytheistic beliefs remained.
Like many monotheistic religions the Islamic religion, is one of the relatively modern belief systems in the history of humanity. Like Christianity and Judaism, Islam is a religion founded around the belief of one god. It is also similar to the other monotheistic religions because it was directly affected by them[1]. Muhammad, the founder of Islam, claimed to be the last of the 4 prophets sent by Allah to reveal truth to his people- the others being Jesus, Moses, and Abraham.
Muhammad’s curiosity about the truth was said to be sparked by the Jewish and Christian centers located throughout the world. Muhammad was lucky enough to travel, and in doing so was affected by these monotheistic religions. The “last prophet” spent much of his time meditating; during his meditations and prayers he was given truth by an angel, this angel was said to be a messenger of god. As M. went about his meditations he brought a book and wrote his spiritual insights into it. After many years he had written a large bit of text, and called it the Quran. His followers have since used the Quran as the source of truth and insight into how they act in their daily lives.[2]
Impact
The impact of this religion has and still is affecting humanity. Due to the nature of written religious texts, people inherently interpret them how they see fit. During the time of the crusades was the first major event that Islam was a part of. Judaism, Christianity, and the Muslim religion all considered Jerusalem the holy city, and all wanted their religion to have ownership over it. This was a bloody time for humanity, and it was all based around battling over holy land. Muslims still kept their holy land and to this day remain the most populated religion in that region. The next major historical event happened many years later when a bunch of radicals Muslims flew into the world trade centers. This was the story we are told, no one knows for sure exactly who bombed who, there are many theories that the U.S. government did it so they had a right to go into the Middle East for oil. Either way, the story goes that these extremists crashed plains into the twin towers and the pentagon to show that they were not happy with how American functions. This created a war between the lands that is still going on today.
Overall it seems that monotheistic religions have caused war and chaos and have not seemed to bring about any enlightenment or higher spiritual state. Maybe the stories of spiritual men are better left in our hearts so that we can realize our potential: that we are all human.
[1] (religions of the world, Lewis M. Hoppe 432-438
[2] Man seeks the divine, Edwin Burtt
Tim Sussmann
Background
Belief in a power greater than the human body has been engrained in most civilizations throughout human history. When I think of turning points in human history, I realize that the path of “religion” (in whatever form it is chosen to be viewed) is a very potent one. What is surprising to me is the amount of different concepts and beliefs surrounding these higher powers. There have been a plethora of different belief systems, from Animism to Christianity, some may have been more influential than others, and some have been around longer than others, but the desire to reach to something more still remains. Muhammad, from the Islamic religion felt this curious urge to find the truth of the universe. The urge to bring truth to his people drove him to create a new religion which may or may not have changed the course of humanity.
Turning Point
What we are curious about is how the Islamic faith changed the course of humanity. When pondering this question we came across facts that point us deeper into history. The main fact is that Jews, Christians, and Muslims all have a similar religious and intellectual origin, which is in the area of Ancient Egypt (in praise of polytheism, john docker). What is comical about these religions is that they all think they know the truth and push their beliefs upon others. In our opinion, the overconfidence of these religions has changed the course of humanity. We say this because the religions prior to these did not push their belief systems on others, Polytheism, which is also addressed in this encyclopedia, was a style of belief that seemed to promote optional participation. If Polytheism was still the dominating religion the shift in the human psyche may not have taken place. When we acknowledge the shift in human psyche we regard the close-mindedness of people after polytheism went by the wayside. When something is pushed upon someone, they will either accept it, or reject it. Either action will create change, the religion that is promoting itself, may force itself upon the people, most likely by fear of condemnation, which results in a buildup of fear in people. An outcome of this could be that people act in rash and mindless ways to subconsciously express the fear, which may relieve the uncomfortable feeling. Or they may close off to others, and become a recluse of their own belief system. If the people accept the new religion, they then change their belief system and the way they go about their daily life. The major turning point that needs to be addressed when considering Islam is the shift from Polytheism to Monotheism. What happened after Monotheism was created and what would humanity have been like if polytheistic beliefs remained.
Like many monotheistic religions the Islamic religion, is one of the relatively modern belief systems in the history of humanity. Like Christianity and Judaism, Islam is a religion founded around the belief of one god. It is also similar to the other monotheistic religions because it was directly affected by them[1]. Muhammad, the founder of Islam, claimed to be the last of the 4 prophets sent by Allah to reveal truth to his people- the others being Jesus, Moses, and Abraham.
Muhammad’s curiosity about the truth was said to be sparked by the Jewish and Christian centers located throughout the world. Muhammad was lucky enough to travel, and in doing so was affected by these monotheistic religions. The “last prophet” spent much of his time meditating; during his meditations and prayers he was given truth by an angel, this angel was said to be a messenger of god. As M. went about his meditations he brought a book and wrote his spiritual insights into it. After many years he had written a large bit of text, and called it the Quran. His followers have since used the Quran as the source of truth and insight into how they act in their daily lives.[2]
Impact
The impact of this religion has and still is affecting humanity. Due to the nature of written religious texts, people inherently interpret them how they see fit. During the time of the crusades was the first major event that Islam was a part of. Judaism, Christianity, and the Muslim religion all considered Jerusalem the holy city, and all wanted their religion to have ownership over it. This was a bloody time for humanity, and it was all based around battling over holy land. Muslims still kept their holy land and to this day remain the most populated religion in that region. The next major historical event happened many years later when a bunch of radicals Muslims flew into the world trade centers. This was the story we are told, no one knows for sure exactly who bombed who, there are many theories that the U.S. government did it so they had a right to go into the Middle East for oil. Either way, the story goes that these extremists crashed plains into the twin towers and the pentagon to show that they were not happy with how American functions. This created a war between the lands that is still going on today.
Overall it seems that monotheistic religions have caused war and chaos and have not seemed to bring about any enlightenment or higher spiritual state. Maybe the stories of spiritual men are better left in our hearts so that we can realize our potential: that we are all human.
[1] (religions of the world, Lewis M. Hoppe 432-438
[2] Man seeks the divine, Edwin Burtt