Writer and broadcaster Karen Armstrong has called upon the people to reclaim religion from the hard-liners and terrorists and to practice compassion - the quality of God - so that a peaceful and tolerant society could be developed.
Armstrong was speaking on "What is Religion" at the special lecture series at the Aga Khan University on Wednesday.
She criticised the United States of America for its pro-Israel policy and partisan attitude when it comes to mediate between the Muslims and the Jews.
She said that there should be recognition of rights of all the people irrespective of religious bias.
In her view the American support to Israel against the Palestinians is disproportionate and incongruous that has created a flash point of hatred right in the heart of the Middle East.
Karen attempted to explain religion and God and advised to fight against the ego that keeps self above all rationalisation of realities of life. She said, "If you take the ego out of you, you begin to see things in a different way - in a non-partisan way. This helps understand God."
She said that religion is not about believing in doctrines and sticking to certain religious obligations, and while believing in God, limiting Him to imagination. God is beyond imagination and any explanation that may lead to a final word about Him would always remain half way. "Defining God limits Him. It is a transcendent feeling that takes you nearer to God. And, ego is the enemy of religious life. It creates hurdles in understanding religions and ultimately makes it difficult to understand God."
She said that the element of "I" and such feelings that give rise to 'ego' - and similar other notions - blocks the process of rational thinking. As long as this "I" and similar inner voices do not spare a man, his approach toward God, and his relationship with other creations of God, would remain preposterous.
She said that the history of religions is replete with incidents of violence and compulsory acceptance of religious doctrines of a society one lives in. The purpose was not to rule and dominate others but some powerful people converted it into a device to rule. It is still there, she added.
She extensively quoted from the teachings of Confucius, Buddhism, Christianity, Jainism, Hinduism, Judaism and Islam and said there is profound similarity in these and many other religions. Though the sages who introduced these religions had worked in isolation, usually on their own initiatives, and had taught their people without the knowledge of others did talks about standards of humanitarianism. There is no conflict in the basics of teachings of the sages. They all talk about the point of submission to a being where "I" disappears and ego looses its meanings.
Karen said that the people who had no history of religion, such as the Greeks, they lived a violent life and ruled through the tactics of domination through force. Their history is one of wars and intolerance.
She said that religions have developed in cities and not in rural areas. In other words religions have flourished in cities bustling with people and not in isolation and calmness of loneliness.
Giving a word about Yoga she said that it is not to reduce weight or shape ones body into a curvaceous figure. "It is designed to dismantle ego - to take "I" out of you." She said that Yoga is a system of religion and should be taken as such.
Talking about Islam Armstrong said that it is necessary to clear the wrong perception of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the West that he was a man of war. He should be projected as one who entered into Suleh Hudabia and left a message to all that peace and love and consideration should be the virtues one should love to practice.
She said that Islam is not a set of doctrine, teaches violence and prescribes a set of obligations to its practitioners but it is the religion of compassion and accommodation.
She said, "You are constantly defending Islam but the world needs to know that it is not violence, it is about surrendering ego, establishing salat, paying respect to feelings and developing sense of accommodation. Christianity also needs to do the same. Compassion is demanding and difficult to follow."
She said Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has taught to prostrate and pray. The posture designed to pray is all submission to God and to let the ego go. Bow your head, your entire self, and consider yourself in a state of ecstasy. Ecstasy is all about stepping outside of self, soul and enters into the world of reality where God exists and religion rules over you.
People in the West are not finding it in their religion. They go out in its search. They try to find it in other emotional burst, in dances, in drinking and using hallucinating things, in sex and many other activities that do not go well with religion. "They are seeking it in the outside world. It is a misleading notion. But in Islam it is available. The best way of getting out of ego - is compassion."
She said most of the conflicts that exist today are political. There is economic imbalances and unequal distribution of wealth, resources and an economy that is based upon injustice.
She said it would be misleading to say that people are fighting because of the teaching of their religions; whereas, it is political.
Earlier, introducing Armstrong the president of the AKU Firoz Rasul said she is a prolific writer and a much sought after commentator on religion, and the impact of history and geography on people's beliefs and practices.
He said that Armstrong has through her television work, interviews and books strive to look at the intricacies of world religions rather than painting them with a broad brush.
She has described the richness and complexity of religions such as Islam and has forced individuals to rethink one-dimensional views that can lead to mistrust and misunderstanding.
He said that she has voiced the importance of tolerance and has challenged misinformed viewpoints that have potential to fuel misunderstandings between religions and peoples, and add to the degradation of relations.
She has recently been appointed to the United Nations initiative "The Alliance of Civilisation". Rasul said Armstrong provides a more pluralistic view of religions and creates the opportunity for a constructive inter-faith dialogue, which is much needed in our world today. The talk was followed by a question and answer session.
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