God is an Atheist

Your God, my God, it doesn't matter, is an Atheist. If you are a believer, you are obviously going to be upset or even incensed by this statement. If you are not going to setout on a mission to eliminate me from the face of this earth, i can possibly engage you in an argument, as to why this is true.

First, let me set a basis for what i mean by an atheist, and i am not about to twist the generally accepted meaning. Provided below is the meaning from Webster.

atheist (noun) athe· ist | \ ˈā-thē-ist \
Definition: a person who does not believe in the existence of a god or any gods.

Now, that's not how most people use this word tho. Usually, people use the word atheist, to refer to a person who questions their current practice of faith. To further elaborate this, any person who questions the existence of God, does not agree with a particular religious philosophy, does not conform to the current practices within a particular religion, or simply were to provide a different argument for God is referred to as an atheist.

The largest religions around the globe today, that have more than 500 million followers, are Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. All of these, with the exception to the Hindu religion, is based on a monotheist philosophy and were begun by a single proponent of the idea, a century or more ago. Let me dive a bit deeper into the beginning of these faiths, and present a case of atheism.

Jesus questioned the practice of the Jews. He ridiculed the practices followed in the temple. He was found guilty of crimes of religion(?), and then finally crucified on a cross like a common criminal for this belief.
Islam emerged from the shadows of Christianity and Judaism, with the proselytizing by Mohammed. He was not recognized as a Prophet immediately and had to undergo several threats and attempts on his life, because of his attempts to change the current belief system.
Buddhism is attributed to the teachings of Buddha, and his teachings questioned the current philosophy practiced, at that time Hindu or the Vedic religion. While many concepts and constructs were similar or adaptations from the Vedic religion, it did present a strong basis to discredit the current thinking and practices of the Hindus.

Hinduism is a polytheistic religion, where several gods and goddesses exist to serve the needs and faiths of the large groups that are generally clubbed together as Hindus. And by definition, while there are several commonalities and similarities in all these groups, there are also regional, linguistic, and even Vedic basis that creates enough differences. Theoretically many Hindu philosophers agree that this religion is inclusive of any and all, and even atheist. But i am not so sure that the atheists will completely agree. The biggest example in Hinduism on the existence of Aethism is the story of Krishna and Goverdhan, where he professed to the people in his village, that it is not necessary to pray and pay obeisance to Indra.

All smaller religions have similar basis of existence, specially the ones that were founded by an individual. These are usually a reaction against a current practice and an attempt to improve or alter the thinking. Sikhism, Bahai, Falun Gong, and any of the new groups or faiths.

All of them began on the basis of a quest of something better and different. And hence the God we profess faith too, is an Atheist.

Kun FayaKun (كُنْ فَيَكُونُ)

Growing up, i had the opportunity to visit many different temples of worship, of different faith. Hindu temples, Christian churches of the Catholic, Protestants and few others, Sikh Gurudwara, Jewish Synagogue, and also the temples of Jains, Buddhists, and a few other faiths, and other places of worship or prayer halls. Most if not all, seemed to follow a set pattern.

Inside the main hall there is usually a focal point, and while being seated anywhere, you had access or a view to this focal point. In a Hindu temple, it was the idol. And most if not all the other places of worship had a symbol, even if it was not a specific idol. Sometime it was a book, or it was pedestal from where the preacher or a leader would lead the prayer. It was easy to get used to the differences amongst the many religions and focus on this unifying theme of a place of worship.

It is easy to be mislead, like any wayfarer views, Hinduism to be a religion that propitiate a stone idol in place of god. As you mature in the faith, you realize and become aware of other teachings in vast truth of Hindu teachings, that god is universal. God has many forms. An idol is simply a symbol of god, and only a token to help your mind focus. And then it is easy to appreciate the different systems of faith, and how invariably, every religion that abhors idol worship, has to succumb to the trappings of us mortals. That God needs to be replaced by a symbol of some sort. The choice of the symbol, like the gods, are many.

All of these teachings and learning, didnt prepare me for my first visit to a Mosque. My first visit to a mosque, was the Jama Masjid in Delhi. For whatever reason, i didnt get the opportunity to visit a mosque before that. I have seen many a Dargah, but also realize the difference in this Sufi tradition of Islam, from some of the core tenets of Muslim belief system. God is formless, as God is beyond all this. I get that part, as there exists a similar concept within the teachings of other religions too. But there is philosophy, and then there is the practical offer of a prayer.

When i walked through the main courtyard of the Masjid, and arrived at, what would otherwise been the location of an idol or pulpit, i was instead greeted by a book shelf. Although this was part of a pleasure trip, the visit to the mosque, was not just to see around, but also offer prayers. And so, here was me, standing just before this old wooden shelf, filled with even older looking books, i would presume they were copies of the Qur'an.

I suddenly felt lost. I was unsure, what to do next. I am not a Muslim, nor had i before this, attempted to learn how Muslims offered prayer. All this was immaterial though, because in my mind it should have been simple as walking up to sanctum sanctorum, and offering your prayers. Well in this case, i was perplexed, as there was no defined sanctum sanctorum. And even if this was the center or a pivotal point within the mosque, there was nothing to grasp my attention.

This shelf of books also stood in front of a rather imposing wall, which was carved into a nice facade, looking like an arch. I didnt know then, but now know, this is the Mihrab, which helps point the direction to Mecca to the Muslims.

As i stood there, contemplating for a few seconds, i was able to better understand the concept of a formless god. Hindus see god in every form. But here i had to come to terms with this new idea. New idea? Not at all. At the least, not to me. No matter which temple i visit, my prayers are always done with my eyes closed. And so, truly when i think about it, the temple, an idol or a sanctum is only helpful in creating an apt ambiance and an appropriate atmosphere. But, standing here facing nothingness, was an important lesson, often missed out in temples and other idolatry worship. It was a reckoner to the fact, sometimes it is difficult to conceive the inconceivable. And so, even with a lot of gyaan around this, i was for a moment, taken aback.

We take it for granted that it is so easy to access or imbibe the spirit, we call god. Its in a picture, in a name, in an idol, a book, a cross, a stone, a metal, even a piece cloth. Its quite another thing to think that it is, but unfathomable. It is, beyond comprehension. And hence i think the reason to mandate that it be kept that way in Islam. A difficult choice to make, but when adhered to, a creates a truly higher plane of thought.

In the end, when you think about it really deep, you will understand: many forms, any forms, no form, are all the same.

Jab kahin pe kuch nahi bhi nahi tha
Wahi tha Wahi tha Wahi tha Wahi tha

Woh jo mujhme samaya
wohjo tujhme samaya
Maula wahi wahi maaya

Kun fayakun Kun fayakun

Hey Ram!

Two words that has rocked this country for more than half a century. At first it was supposedly the last words uttered by Mahatma Gandhi just before he died. Much later it was used by Lord Ram's so called followers, who crushed a mosque, in the hope of building a temple for him. But more sadly is the utter fallacy of the use of these words by people who are so called Hindus, who have butchered muslims, again in the name of the Lord.

Ram in the story as translated to me, by my grandmother and much later by other seers and authors, was an embodiment of an ideal man. Maryada Purush, as he is referred commonly, a title even denied to other avatars of Vishnu.

3. Why is Shri Ram called a Maryada Purushottam?

As a person, Shri Ram personifies the characteristics of an ideal person who is to be emulated. He had within him all the desirable virtues that any individual would seek to aspire. For example, he gave up his rightful claim to the throne, and agreed to go into exile (vanvas) for fourteen years, to fulfil the vow that his father had given to Kaikeyi, one of King Dashratha's wives. This is in spite of the fact that Kaikeyi's son, Bharat, begged him to return back to Ayodhya and said that he did not want to rule in place of Shri Rama. But Shri Ram considered his dharma as a son above that of his own birthright and his life's ambition. For such supreme sacrifices, and many other qualities, Shri Ram is considered a maryada purushottam.

Source: VHP's website

This is from the same group that preaches intolerance and hatred, and takes the name of the same god who was willing for 'supreme sacrifices', in the name of dharma. Ram, during his final battle with Ravana, also gave him time to repent and seek forgiveness. People may question many different things done by Ram and the mythology surrounding him, but no one can accuse him of being a sadist and or a murderer, butcher of innocent men and women. In India today, his name is used in vain to protect hindus from the influence of other religions. Hatred is spread by his so called followers, to counter and subjugate muslims and christians and other minorities.

It appears that it is hindus who really need to be saved. Saved from these organization and followers, who are destroying the very fabric of the hindu religion. Their acts, be it protection of a temple or killing of muslims and their property, has absolutely no sanction within the hindu religion. It is high time that all the so called religious heads of hinduism like the babas, ammas, gurus and sri manji's, come out in complete protest against these people and their actions. Their silence and any mute protests are not helping the cause of the hindus or the religion.

Ram is a Maryada Purush. But his followers cannot or do not even aspire or attempt to follow any of his ideals or teachings. Lord Ram's message is a message of peace. That one must remain true to one's dharma. His life teaches us the power of sacrifice. Above all, i think there is a message of love, love to all around us, be it small or big, father or step-mother, rich or poor, friend or foe.