Given a Political Environment Where Religion is Increasingly Important, It’s Increasingly Important to Know Something About Religion
(English Essay – CSS & PMS)
Outline
- Introduction
- Religion in Federally Administered Areas (FATA)
- The Need to Understand Orthodox Beliefs
- Progressive vs. Orthodox Interpretations of Islam
- Religion and Democracy in Pakistan
- Politicians and the Use of Religion in Politics
- Secular Societies and Religion
- Exploitation of Religion in Global Politics
- Transformation of Traditional Societies
- Rational Interpretation of Religion
- Conclusion
Introduction
The quotation makes it binding on the part of a citizen to acquire some knowledge about religion in a society where religion holds sway in everyday matters. In an environment where religion is important, one is supposed to possess basic knowledge of religion.
Religion in Federally Administered Areas (FATA)
In the federally administered areas (FATA) like South/North Waziristan, there is the orthodox hold of religion. People believe in Islam, but their interpretation of Islam runs in conventional terms. They stick to the conventional, orthodox interpretation of Islam. While living amongst the people in a community dominated by orthodox religious thought, one should share the religious beliefs of the dwellers.
There is a saying that “while in Rome, do as the Romans do.” One should thus mix up with people and share their religious faith by showing understanding of the religion in a common vein.
The Need to Understand Orthodox Beliefs
One can’t afford to be progressive in one’s thought about religion in a community where orthodox religious interpretation is the order of the day. If one starts presenting a progressive interpretation of Islam, that may not cut ice with the people who are brought up in the conventional spirit of Islam.
In fact, it may invoke a violative type of reaction on the part of people, who may find it rather difficult to digest the rational interpretation of religious doctrines. Advocate for an increase in the percentage of zakat to vary according to the needs of circumstances. The orthodox religious element may be ill at accepting the suggestion, which runs contrary to the accepted practice.
The religious element may rise in revolt against you for holding progressive views. You may get your head clubbed if you air your views, opposed to those of traditional zealots. Hence, one is required to follow the prevalent religious practices and norms while living in a community dominated by religious thought.
Progressive vs. Orthodox Interpretations of Islam
Pakistan’s society practices democracy. Pakistan is an Islamic Republic, and religion cannot be divorced from politics. One may hold a different view about religion, but one must exhibit a basic understanding of Islam.
Our politicians are past masters in propagating Islam, though they do not practice it in their individual lives. They suffer from the crisis arising out of profession and practice. They preach Islam at every platform, but seldom practice Islamic values at their own level. It is an art to preach Islamic values, but this seldom has any effect on people.
Religion and Democracy in Pakistan
In a community where there is a political environment, religion cannot be segregated from it. One must have some understanding of religion in a community, like Pakistan, which accepts democracy as a political creed and philosophy. One cannot show a lack of understanding of religion in such a community.
Religion and politics, on the face of things, move together. It is a different matter that politics is conducted on a secular pattern. Politicians and rulers quote Islam in their speeches but do not consciously try to practice Islamic values in their lives.
Politicians and the Use of Religion in Politics
It is a convenient way to rationalize things in their favor. So one may actually not practice Islamic values but propagate them profusely to gain personal mileage in society. It looks like the devil is quoting scriptures.
It is easy to quote scriptures rather than act on them. But the fact remains that some amount of understanding of religion is necessary in a society with a given political environment.
Secular Societies and Religion
It may be pointed out that even in secular societies, where religion and politics are two different entities, people have their own faith in the religion of their choice. The statecraft is done on secular lines, and religion has no role to interfere in the domain of politics.
People go to churches on Sunday in the West to offer their prayers. They show an understanding of Christianity. George W. Bush, the former American President, often visited the Catholic Church but at least acted on the spirit of Christianity.
Exploitation of Religion in Global Politics
He unleashed a regime of aggression against the people of Iraq and Afghanistan, and human atrocities continue to be committed in Afghanistan on an unprecedented scale. The big powers intoxicated with strength born out of modern technology and economics can go to any length to achieve their varied objectives, thereby throwing the canons of religion and morality to the winds.
They care a hoot for religion. Religion is a private affair in the lives of people, big or small, in the West. It holds even well in Pakistan, which is declared to be an Islamic state. The point worth noting is that religion is tagged to politics in a routine manner. One may call it a game of open deception and fraud.
Transformation of Traditional Societies
When a traditional society stands at the threshold of socio-economic transformation, it begins to undergo institutional changes of far-reaching nature. The people accept economic or growth values, and it starts a race for personal growth.
While people are given to their personal betterment through the pursuit of economic values, the process of enlightenment starts. Reason begins to have its hold in society. Irrational beliefs are replaced with rational ones. Superstitions give in to rationality.
Rational Interpretation of Religion
The religious beliefs tend to be interpreted in terms of reasoning, though basic parameters of Islam are accepted as such, like the unity of Allah, the existence of angels, and the Day of Judgement, etc. Most of the religious doctrines are interpreted rationally. The existing doctrines are subject to rational interpretation.
Religion in the changed context acts as a catalyst, and the educated class begins to accept religion in its rational context. In that event, political understanding coupled with that of religion begins to pay for the society experiencing institutional changes.
Conclusion
Religion has a central place in Pakistan’s politics and society. It cannot be separated from political discourse. In the current environment, every citizen is required to have at least some understanding of religion, its practices, and doctrines. Whether orthodox or rational, religion remains a decisive factor in shaping political environments and individual actions.
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