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Sitaram · Site Admin Joined: 14 Sep 2005 Posts: 1079

Thank you for asking regarding my religion.
I was raised with absolutely no religious training (never brought to a house of worship even once) ... raised by parents who were Protestant in name only.

I became curious about all forms of religion, practiced several (but not Islam), and studied many religions.

Several years before the World Trade center attack, I fancied myself one of the greatest critics of Islam.

During the past two years, quite by accident, I became very close Internet friends with a young secular journalist in Pakistan and a secular medical student in Tehran. They thirsted for Western (non-Islamic) culture, literature, philosophy, which is how they came to be attracted to my company in chat rooms and message boards.

I decided that perhaps it might be more constructive if I tried a different, more positive approach, by joining a message board such as this excellent message board.

It is my hope that civil dialogue will help me to deal with the anger, rage, and fear that I have felt for many years now, and also perhaps help in some small way to avert what I see as a possible Armageddon conflict, a mutual attempt at genocide.

After many years of trying and studying many things, I finally feel that I am healed of the misguided need for corporate worship in any form.

I dislike the quid-pro-quo aspect of religions which purport to do something for me, if I will do something, and do something TO me, if I neglect to do something.

I see no point in belief which recommends eternal torment with no hope or possibility of reform. Nature evolved pain as a warning, to avoid injury, and not as an eternal state.

I admire and value spirituality, regardless of its source or context and I admire most that virtuous person who is virtuous for virtue's one sake, apart from any hope of reward or fear of punishment.

I do have personal beliefs, which are eclectic, taken from various sources and traditions, and which resemble Hindu and Buddhist beliefs more than anything else. My beliefs and understanding change and evolve over the decades, and I hope I will always be willing to abandon an inferior idea for a better idea. Galaxies, continents, species, language and culture all evolve, change and adapt. That which does not and cannot change is no longer alive but is dead and inert.

As Gandhi said, in his autobiography, he rejected Christianity because he did not seek merely to avoid the consequences of his evil action but, if possible, to extinguish evil at its very source.

I think it is valuable for you to have here the participation of non-Muslims who have some knowledge of and interest in Islam, and I thank you all for your tolerance and patience in having me here as your guest.

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