This article was first Published on Thursday, March 20, 2008 at – :
http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2008/03/renaissance-cannot-be-islamic.html
Renaissance Cannot Be Islamic
The article follows my comments:
I don’t have much to comment on this article, it is every thing I would have said – some highlights;
Renaissance has no colour, creed or ideology, add reason to logic and top it up with broad-mindedness and pluralism and you have a sturdy drift of ‘Renaissance’ engulfing any region or any society. For these conditions to exist minds need to be free from dogma and idolatry of puritan ideology. Self righteousness is anathema of Renaissance, so is self flagellation and self pity, nations who indulge in this are more concerned with post life than the life here.
Renaissance is a collective effort of minds to seek freedom from dogma and seek answers to complex questions of purpose of existence on this planet. Free thinking, logic and rationalism have to be the foundation stone of any serious attempt to induce renaissance in the Islamic world. Pluralism of Ideas and the prosperity of any land are intertwined. Freedom of minds and skill of intellect to ‘think the unthinkable’ is how humanity has progressed; when minds are incarcerated nothing endures.
You have to read the whole article to be enlightened.. Let me define religion:
To be a Muslim is to be a peace maker; one who constantly seeks to mitigate conflicts and nurtures goodwill for peaceful co-existence. God wants us to live in peace and harmony with his creation; life and matter. Indeed that is the purpose religion. Please feel free to substitute the word “Muslim” with “Religious”.
Mike Ghouse
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