Religious & Secular Humanist

Dear Khalid,

Wow! You have given me a lot of homework but I love it as it challenges my mind and expands my academic horizons.

I am not sure I share your confidence in humanity. Have we truly matured?

Are we still not fighting wars and killing each other over the proverbial "Zan. Zar and Zameen"and in ways that are ever more lethal and destructive?

You might say these wars are fought in the name of religion, but I am not sure that were we to take religion out of the equation, the instinct of  pugnacity would be somehow suppressed.
 
Secular ethics is fine as long as we can arrive at rules that are universally accepted as "good" or "bad". However,  If each man would want to be a law unto himself. My fear is that what would emerge is a rather pedestrian sort of morality, where too many rules would have been broken.

I am not sure if this is such a desirable outcome. Also, without a "higher" authority, each man/woman's opinion and authority would have to regard as equally valid, and who based on what, would then decide which one is to be accepted and enforced?

There would be far too many challenges to such an authority. Also, is everyone endowed with a highly developed moral sense?

Western societies are based on secular ideologies, but many of those who form these societies are still governed by religious precepts in their personal lives. Perhaps it is this recourse to a "higher" authority that has given secular societies the required continuity. In recent times however, we have seen a shift away from religion which has resulted in fatal consequences for the institution of marriage, or other stable relationships.

A "free for all" morality has emerged and no one wants to assume responsibility for anyone else. While I would not go so far as to equate sex with sin or moral degeneracy, sex without responsibility is a trend which if not checked, would likely result in disastrous consequences for human societies. Therefore, in my view we need to create a moral hierarchy with a recognizable "higher power", even if it happens to be a collective figment of the human imagination. We need a "Final Authority” somewhere, and   religions tend to serve that purpose.

We must proceed to the next stage of the discussion and answer the very troubling question of who decides which religious law or interpretation is to be enforced. Certainly the Shariah of the Maulanas is a no-no.  Again it is the general good of society which must be upheld and I am painfully aware of the fact that Muslim countries have fallen far short of this ideal. I continue to be quite sanguine though, that a reformation is under way, and in time we will be able to find a path out of this religious quagmire.

All religions tend to be "humanistic" in their approach. In my view there is no genuine dichotomy between the two outlooks. Whether it is Hinduism, Budhism, Islam, Jainism or other, all religions are geared towards creating just and equitable societies for human beings. It is a "human- centered" humanistic approach.

I 'm afraid I won't be able to join you for the movie. As of January I teach Wednesday / Thursday evenings but we will try to see it soon.
 
Regards
Farzana.