Sep. 3rd, 2008 04:30 pm
Writer's Block: Ramadan anyone?
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textualdeviance[Error: unknown template qotd]
Answering this just because so many ignorant people have said ignorant things about it.
The question was poorly formed in that it implied that the reader must certainly be Muslim, but it's kind of funny to watch the privileged people squirm when confronted with a question that doesn't directly apply to them. OMG! LJ didn't assume everyone's white and Christian! Clearly Christians are now being persecuted on LJ. ;)
However, the spirit of the question remains, and I think it's a valid one.
I'm an atheist, but also a pluralist, and because of that, I find religion fascinating from a cultural diversity perspective. I think there are important lessons to be found in some of the rituals of many religions. And though I don't practice those specific rituals myself, as I feel it would be disrespectful to do so without being a member of said religion, I think there are similar personal rituals one can perform that can provide a similar personal and psychological function, if not a theological one.
For instance, I can see the merit in a non-religious daytime fast, for some of the same reasons that such a fast is practiced in Islam: To help one appreciate the things one has, and to give a time of reflection that isn't focused on satisfying physical needs. Christianity has a similar ritual with Lent.
Likewise, dozens of different religious traditions have festivals of lights near the winter solstice, to celebrate the return of longer days. Such a thing can be celebrated in a totally secular way, or with the flavor of whatever religion happens to trip one's triggers.
We are, at base, all one people on this planet. It should be no surprise that the majority of our religious and spiritual myths and rituals share many of the same elements. And because of that, I think there's merit in adapting religious rituals for secular practice, to help us all get in touch with the common spirit we share, no matter what version of the Divine we pray to, or whether we pray at all.
Answering this just because so many ignorant people have said ignorant things about it.
The question was poorly formed in that it implied that the reader must certainly be Muslim, but it's kind of funny to watch the privileged people squirm when confronted with a question that doesn't directly apply to them. OMG! LJ didn't assume everyone's white and Christian! Clearly Christians are now being persecuted on LJ. ;)
However, the spirit of the question remains, and I think it's a valid one.
I'm an atheist, but also a pluralist, and because of that, I find religion fascinating from a cultural diversity perspective. I think there are important lessons to be found in some of the rituals of many religions. And though I don't practice those specific rituals myself, as I feel it would be disrespectful to do so without being a member of said religion, I think there are similar personal rituals one can perform that can provide a similar personal and psychological function, if not a theological one.
For instance, I can see the merit in a non-religious daytime fast, for some of the same reasons that such a fast is practiced in Islam: To help one appreciate the things one has, and to give a time of reflection that isn't focused on satisfying physical needs. Christianity has a similar ritual with Lent.
Likewise, dozens of different religious traditions have festivals of lights near the winter solstice, to celebrate the return of longer days. Such a thing can be celebrated in a totally secular way, or with the flavor of whatever religion happens to trip one's triggers.
We are, at base, all one people on this planet. It should be no surprise that the majority of our religious and spiritual myths and rituals share many of the same elements. And because of that, I think there's merit in adapting religious rituals for secular practice, to help us all get in touch with the common spirit we share, no matter what version of the Divine we pray to, or whether we pray at all.
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