The Knowledge of Monotheism, and the Ignorance of Idolatry

[smith007]

Quran appeals only to the people who are inherently searching for the answers that it tends to provide. In order to appreciate an answer, it is incumbent that a person keeps a healthy curiosity towards the subject. And there are many levels of attention that Quran may receive from various people depending upon their merits, and the extent of their desperation for knowledge.

The realisation of One God, is essentially the realisation for the significance of purity of thought and practice, because idolatry is the most fundamental sort of corruption. Just like idols, corruption can also take many forms of which some may not be that apparent; but one thing should be made very clear that purity thrives where there is knowledge, and corruption thrives where there is ignorance. The purity of thought is the realisation that God loves all the humanity without any bias or discrimination. The faith in one God causes all good to transpire spontaneously without any need for its encouragement in the forms of fame and fortune, or the fear of law enforcement. The hearts that shine with the light of God can embrace the presence of the ever-loving God, and thereby appreciate the universal blessedness of humanity without any discrimination. I have mentioned the ideals of monotheism from a generalised standpoint, and that does not make Islam least bit free from the human corruption. Islam is a movement that did not end with the demise of prophet Muhammad, rather Islam has even greater challenges from within the Muslim community than from other religions.

Idolatry works mainly through the identification politics of race, language, culture, geography, tribe, nationality, etc. The many gods are only there to serve the many people in different ways, and not the many people in the same way. It makes people to exclusively prioritise their needs at the expense of others, just because their gods represent different attributes of characters and purposes. Idolatry causes corruption by creating, consolidating, and justifying the divisive attitudes in humanity. Nevertheless, it is entirely possible that idol worshipping priests of pagan Arabia might have been very sincere and hardworking people, and their depictions of natural forces and mysteries could have been the artistic hallmarks of the land. Historically though, the idols in Mecca were individually representatives of all the various tribes of Arabia, whilst each tribe would travel there to worship its own specific idol as a form of holy pilgrimage. Therefore, idolatry also creates an impression about status or designation on the human mind, especially in conjunction with the religious devotions offered to the deity. The suggestibility factor can be manipulated to form preconceived opinions about the merits and demerits of people, as evident in the case of caste systems. For instance, the names of higher caste Hindus are always different from the lower caste Hindus, and their idols and gods are also very different. A Hindu person of Brahman caste would never worship a god in a lower caste temple, because such an affair would be beneath his dignity. The man-made gods in idolatrous cultures have their status determined by the man himself.

However, it is important to note that the rituals and practices of any religion has never had anything to do with the mundane affairs of the world. The purpose of religion has always been to inspire and invigorate the masses to behave in an ethical manner described by its moral codes. If any religion does a good job at that, and is successful in extracting the highest standards of morality and loyalty from people in their most adverse living states or challenging conditions, then despite of everything that be seemingly contradicting about its historical legacy, nothing would stop its progress. A religion needs to be a functional movement of honest people in order for it to be viable, neither is necessary for it to be a truth-telling department of holy-men, nor any sacred agency of government.

[Jafar]

Idolatry works mainly through the identification politics of race, language, culture, geography, tribe, nationality, RELIGION, CULT, SECT, HOLY BOOK, PROPHET/HOLY MEN/MEDIATOR, football club or even one's physical body. Idolatry is basically putting something on a pedestal to makes it above or superior in comparation to others. Or in reverse making everything else inferior in comparison to the thing that one put on a pedestal.

Once thought was bound to an identity or identities.
Every thought will be oriented to defend such identity, no matter what.
And to makes it superior, through any means necessary.

Look at all the catastrophes in the last century.
All of it was caused by the case of Limited Identity.
Where one group think that it's superior compared to others, and others or the inferior deserves to receive certain horrible acts (invasion, murder, cleansing, torture, enslavement, conversion, oppression, imprisonment, containment, discrimination, elimination, destruction)

And most certainly the Religion of Islam is not free or innocence from such deed.

What's the solution?

Expand the limited identification, think of others as part of yourselves, although others might not share the same view or opinion with you. Remember the golden rule, do unto others as you would like others do to you.

Don't put anything on the pedestal, don't make anything superior compared to others, as anything that you put on your pedestal are temporary in nature (or illusion at best) and it will have it's decay and thus destruction/death. And that includes religion and/or holy book(s) or any form that you've identified yourself with, including the figure that you saw in the mirror.