An inconvenient Reality

By Uzumaki Naruto

Almost every belief-system in the world claims that their version of truth is rightly the only truth. There is no doubt that many devout believers in all these belief systems would affirmatively confirm this. They would wholeheartedly make the claim that they have found the `Truth' in their respective belief system.

At the same time, it is important to note that `Truth' with respect to these devotees is observed in a form of experience which is often called - `religious experience' or `experience of truth'.

However, it is impossible for one to find out which `experience of truth' among the many versions of `Truth' is the real truth. This is due the fact that it is just not possible to capture `experience' empirically.

Nevertheless, base on scientific research and studies on the relation of the brain and `truth experiences' , aptly known as `nuero-theology' , one thing that all these versions of `Truth' experiences have in common is that they all show similar patterns of brain activity. This is due to the fact that it takes millions of neurons firing in the brain before a devotee can validate his/her truth experience.

For this reason, it can be deduced that all experiences of `Truth' are just too similar regardless of which belief systems they belong to.

All these construe to the point that `Truth' in belief-systems is relative truth hence; there is no absolute `Truth' as far as truths in belief systems are concerned. For this matter, it can be concluded that the belief of one religion as the only `truth' to the path to GOD while others are all in error (or in short `religious exclusivism' ) is a flaw.

There is no tangible `neuro-theological' evidence to support the validity of religious exclusivism.

Journey through time

The belief in religious exclusivism is considered as one of the vital element of faith in most belief-systems. The logical reason behind this is that after the exclusivist idea has been solidly embedded into one's mind through constant religious indoctrination processes, it would make it easier for the rest of the religious doctrines and ideas to follow suit without much hassle and rigid scrutiny.

Realistically, the idea of religious exclusivism is a practical psychological tool to spread social ideals effectively in the early age of its emergence during the ancient time. This is due to human socio-culture and its circumstances and also the community's state of affairs at that time i.e. - limited knowledge, loose social order, lacking mobility and minimal contact with different cultures from outside world.

Taking all this into consideration, `religious exclusivism' had efficiently served the purpose for `wise men' at the time in their mission of spreading their package of `Truth' – which also consists of social ideals, positive human values and goodness.

In time the practical aspects of the `Truth' had laid down social foundation that was conducive for human progress and later had transformed the community that led to humanity greater advancement.

As time went by, human progress had made it possible for more direct relations and interactions between communities of different cultural beliefs. This later on created competition between cultures that led to political strains; and finally the growing tension end up in war. Unfortunately, more than often, religion fuelled by exclusivism logic became an explosive propaganda in waging religious wars that has spawned all sort of crusades, holy wars (jihad), genocides and hostilities between cultures throughout the centuries.

Sadly enough, the continuation of this devastative trend of exploiting religious exclusivism is still going on at present time. It doesn't stop at drawing the line between different beliefs; it goes deeper and has played a murderous role between different sects of the same belief-system. The ongoing sectarian conflicts in Iraq and occasionally in Pakistan , India and Indonesia for example, prove how such religious idea that seems to be harmless can turn out to be deadly.

Religious exclusivism has reared its ugly head. The once dignified spiritual mechanism responsible for human progress seems to have lost its purposeful function. Its application for peaceful means that it used to be has now turned into a lethal ideological belief that has brought misery to humanity in some part of the world.

Religious exclusivism in today's modern socio-culture is morally wrong and inherently divisive. It reflects bigotry and narrow mindedness. It separates humanity into the camps of believers and non-believers; a dichotomy between `us' and `them'. It creates and promotes systematic derogatory labels between people out of their spiritual differences, for example – deviant (sesat), heathen (musyrik), infidel (kafir), heretic (munafik) and so on. These psychologically divisive labels would only promote hate that could lead to communal disharmony. The saddest part of it all is that all these are done with the sense of righteousness.

Religious exclusivism of today, hiding under the banner of `respecting diversity' is hypocrisy in the highest order.

Time has changed and human social culture has evolved to a new height. Differences in belief should never be the reason for social conflict of any form. It is obvious that the once decent idea of religious exclusivism has lost its noble function and is a misplaced idea in present time. The idea has become irrelevant and there should be no place for religious exclusivism to fit in today's heterogenic plural society.

A more inclusive approach in belief-system would be vital towards respecting diversity in the truest sense thus enriching human effort in their spiritual quests. Rather than looking at differences and magnify the inconsistencies that may ensue social repercussions; belief-systems should be the platform that could pull all devotees (from all different belief-systems) deeper into unity of not only of common interests but also capacities and intelligences that far transcend those of the individuals.

Possibly, in time, this may bring humanity closer together in harnessing their power of collectives towards finding solutions to humanity most complex problems of the day and the future.

*This article can be viewed at malaysia-today.net

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