Living Ethics: It's all in the Rhetoric

We are obliged as Muslims to make the whole galaxy subservient to almighty Allah, who has created all living beings to obey him and worship him. ~Omar Bakri Mohammed

When I see or hear a statement like the one above, my hackles go up immediately. Words like "obliged," "subservient," "obey" and "worship" rub me the wrong way. When I think through my instantaneous, almost violent reaction, I realize that it is an instinctual survival response. I have the same sort of response when I hear of or see a child or animal abused or neglected. So, my response is not for my sake, but for the sake of the innocent, unknowing and vulnerable. Playing a huge role in my response is the undeniable, absolute truth of free will and freedom of choice.

As much as my reactions, my heart, have led me to respond  less than positively to such a statement, I turn to dictionary.com for the socially accepted definitions and meaning of the words, to look at it as objectively and logically as possible:

• Oblige: to require or constrain, as by law, command, conscience, or force of necessity.
• Subservient: excessively submissive; obsequious: subservient persons; subservient conduct.
• Obey: to respond conformably in action to a command, restriction, wish, instruction, etc.
• Worship: reverent honor and homage paid to God or a sacred personage, or to any object regarded as sacred.

I almost soften a bit and calm down - until I read the definitions closely.Words like constrain, command, force, excessive, restriction, person and object just don't quite jive with free will and freedom of choice.

'Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.'

Sure, I chose a statement made by a Muslim instead of a Christian. It was conveniently there and I grabbed it. I have the feeling that, perhaps, you would have slammed the door in my face if I did choose a Christian statement. But, these sort of statements are made often, vehemently, in the popular US religions. Christianity is not lacking in these kinds of man-made, control-imposing rhetorical assertions!

So, I will assert that today's organized and institutionalized religions have lost their originally intended purpose and meaning. They have lost touch with the symbolism and individuality of the sacred teachings and writings and have reduced themselves to literal interpretation. Today's religions are no longer alive and relevant.

What do you think?