Do only the poor need God?
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This is a question that one of my atheist friends once asked me. Her argument was that most well off, developed and rich nations, like lets say European countries, have abandoned God a long time ago. However, most poor nations, like Arab and African countries hold on tightly to the idea of God and religion.
Her point did hit a mark with me, because I noticed that in Egypt, my own country, when life was fairly easy and there wasn't so much poverty, unemployment or the multitude of social problems we have now, the people were very secular. But as we moved in the the 80s and 90s and life was becoming more and more unbearable, the people become more and more religious. So perhaps there is some truth in her argument? That religion is only for the poor, hungry and needy? -
Shalom,
I don't think it has anything to do with being rich or poor. It is simply human psychology. We tend to ask for guidance and once we have success in life, we become arrogant and no longer tend to connect to God. Everyone needs God, it is just that the problems of the poor people are so much more visible to the naked eye. Belive me, that even Bill Gates goes through problems and stressful situations. For you and me, Bill's problem may not be significant, but go and ask Bill, even he can go through depressions.
PEACE
------------------- Student of Allah -
Of course everyone has problems. However, I noticed that in the more affluent countries, when people are going through difficult times, they don't turn to God. They may go to a therapist, or do some yoga, or jog around the block to de-stress, but they won't go to church.
I lived in Australia for five years and most Aussies are secular. However, I noticed that the couple of people I knew who were devout Christians, had a difficult life- history of psychological problems, family violence, troubled childhood etc. So as I said, it seems that its only the poor or needy who want God in their lives. -
it seems that its only the poor or needy who want God in their lives.
398 And when man is afflicted with adversity, he implores his Lord,
turning in repentance to Him. But then, when He grants him a
blessing from Him, he forgets his previous imploring, and sets up
equals with God, in order to mislead others from His path. Say
?Enjoy your rejection for a while; for you are of the dwellers of
the Fire.?peace!
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Of course everyone has problems. However, I noticed that in the more affluent countries, when people are going through difficult times, they don't turn to God. They may go to a therapist, or do some yoga, or jog around the block to de-stress, but they won't go to church.
I lived in Australia for five years and most Aussies are secular. However, I noticed that the couple of people I knew who were devout Christians, had a difficult life- history of psychological problems, family violence, troubled childhood etc. So as I said, it seems that its only the poor or needy who want God in their lives.Salam Confused
The expression "there are no atheists in foxholes" springs to mind.
I think you have a good point, however a missing the conclusion a little. It is not that only the poor or needy want God in their lives,
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398 And when man is afflicted with adversity, he implores his Lord,
turning in repentance to Him. But then, when He grants him a
blessing from Him, he forgets his previous imploring, and sets up
equals with God, in order to mislead others from His path. Say
?Enjoy your rejection for a while; for you are of the dwellers of
the Fire.?peace!
That's an interesting verse. Thank you for posting it. But I guess that it confirms what I am trying to say in that when people are problem free, they abandon God. How sad.
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I guess that it confirms what I am trying to say in that when people are problem free, they abandon God. How sad.
I suppose it can be seen as sad, but it's not unavoidable. God provides plenty of verses describing those who are steadfast. We seek to learn from them, or rather from the words of them God has provided in the Quran.
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Of course everyone has problems. However, I noticed that in the more affluent countries, when people are going through difficult times, they don't turn to God. They may go to a therapist, or do some yoga, or jog around the block to de-stress, but they won't go to church.
I lived in Australia for five years and most Aussies are secular. However, I noticed that the couple of people I knew who were devout Christians, had a difficult life- history of psychological problems, family violence, troubled childhood etc. So as I said, it seems that its only the poor or needy who want God in their lives.Yoga and therapist and stuff help you on those situations and they're not forbidden. You think that by going to church or praying to God you will magically be problemless again? It's true, you should believe in God, but your problems can only be fixed in earth through different methods, just because God is omnipotent does not mean he will help you, he created the universe or w/e was the thing that created it then everything went through evolution, the only times God interfered with this world was when he sent messengers.
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Salam Confused
The expression "there are no atheists in foxholes" springs to mind.
I think you have a good point, however a missing the conclusion a little. It is not that only the poor or needy want God in their lives,
What happened? half my post disappeared.....
It is not that the poor or needy that wants God in their lives and the wealthy do not want (abandon). You cannot say the only cause for people abandoning God is prosperity, there are many more reasons than that.
The general population of Europe abandoned God long time ago because the self appointed ambassadors of God abused and oppressed the people, therefore people revolted against their Father. Another aspect to consider is the scientific progress. The church made many mistakes fighting scientists like Galileo and Kopernicus. When it turned out the scientists were right and the church wrong, well you dont need to have a good imagination to understand what that did to their reputation. One more thing was politics. Strong forces of Marxism had a great portion of Europe under their proganda machine, and religion is not compatible with communism. They hammered into people's heads that they do not need God, they only need the state. This of course has had a large impact on the European religious faith.People starting abandoning God for many reasons, not only individual or national prosperity.
The church lost credibility, much their own fault. Now we live in a Europe where many see religion as negative and dusty.
History is not the same everywhere. Europe has a totally different one from Africa, so comparing the two continents like your atheist friend did is not correct.
People in difficulty have a tendency to seek help. Some of them find this help in God. Like I said "there are no atheists in foxholes" is a very good description of why people in need find God.
People who prosper have a tendency not to seek help. There is no need for them, right? So the scenario is not so much that prosperous people actively choose to abandon God, I think it is more that there is no reason for them to seek God.The thoughts of a believing European )
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Of course everyone has problems. However, I noticed that in the more affluent countries, when people are going through difficult times, they don't turn to God. They may go to a therapist, or do some yoga, or jog around the block to de-stress, but they won't go to church.
I lived in Australia for five years and most Aussies are secular. However, I noticed that the couple of people I knew who were devout Christians, had a difficult life- history of psychological problems, family violence, troubled childhood etc. So as I said, it seems that its only the poor or needy who want God in their lives.Salaam Confused,
238
238 We said "Descend from it all of you, so when the guidance comes from Me, then whoever follows My guidance, they will have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve."4521
4521 Or do those who work evil expect that We would treat them the same as those who believe and do good works, in their present life and their death? Miserable is how they judge.3179
3179 Allah would not leave the believers in that you are in until He separates the evil from the good. Nor would Allah reveal to you the unseen. But , Allah chooses of His messengers whom He wills, so believe in Allah and His messengers. And if you believe and fear Him, then for you is a great reward.May Allah guide us all to His true path pr
Mohammed M. Khan