In some religions, like Judaism and Catholicism, the local priest or rabbi is the person who exercises authority over a given location. In such a system, all who pertain to that religion or live in a given location fall under the dominion of that religiou's figure.
It is believed that figures like priests and rabbis have a divine as well as a scholarly authority. Therefore disagreeing and/or refusing to follow the ways of, or dictates, of the religious figure is tantamount to rebelling against God. However, recent events of scandalous leaders who are having lovers outside of the marriage, and children being sexually assaulted, demonstrates how bad an idea of priest-craft can be. Surely such actions are not sanctioned by God.
Some victims, however, have revolted against such stern authority and have chosen to study their particular belief for themselves. Those among children, now adults, who have been assaulted, fail to put their trust in any authority. Some devout believers have perished at the hands of religious fanatics for simply believing in them. In the most extreme cases some have even killed themselves and others after being taught to do so is the Will of God.
A Problem Within Islam
The last one mentioned is a problem found within the religion of Islam. Many young people disenchanted by the socio-economic conditions of their country and personal selves are recruited by individuals and groups who use religious brainwashing to serve a political end: terrorism.
It is a problem with far reaching consequences as those who hear of Islam come to think of it as evil and equate it with death. No matter how many writers and orators profess the peaceful nature of Islam to the world the destroyers of peace and harmony continue to wreck havoc on the name Islam.
Young Muslims are encouraged to kill themselves and others in order to please God. As if God was not the creator of those being killed.
Contrarily, God states in the Quran that all life is sacred. Only enemy combatants are to be killed during a war. God states in the Quran that, “if you kill a person it is as if you have killed the whole human race.”
In contrast, if God wants someone dead he could simply remove the breath of life from that person. In truth God seeks only humanity’s devotion and sincere goodwill towards each other.
Obey Not the Wrongdoers
In Islam, there exists no priest or central spiritual authority.
“O ye who believe! There are indeed many among the priests and anchorites, who in falsehood devour the substance of men and hinder (them) from the way of Allah. And there are those who bury gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah: announce unto them a most grievous penalty.” (Quran 9:34)
God makes it clear in the Quran that studying and learning Islam is the responsibility of each and every Muslim. If this was practiced errant believers would instantly realize that obeying the many rules and regulations, and philosophical opinions of scholars and sheiks is not what God means when he says “obey Allah and his messenger.“
A clear distinction must be made between the order to obey God and his messenger and the crime of obeying those regulations and fatwa (religious rulings) that are not binding and have caused many to suffer at the hands of tyrants and be led astray.
Take This or Beware
“It is not fitting for a Believer, man or woman, when a matter has been decided by Allah and His Messenger to have any option about their decision: if any one disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he is indeed on a clearly wrong Path.” (Quran 33:36)
This verse has been used countless times by those who appoint one another to positions of authority and then say “take this or beware;” knowing that within themselves, they deceive. God has given them no authority to be over the Muslims in such a stern manner.
When Muslims rise up and shake of oppressive archaic rulings and earnestly study the religion for themselves, those who are bent on wrongdoing in the Name of Allah will be powerless.
In truth, a Priest, Rabbi, Imam, and scholar exist only to point the way to correct information. This aids the believer who is on the path to discovery.
