The piece Religious law, democracy and human rights published in the March 29, 2013 issue of The Guardian was a well thought out article. But as Christian and still in the Easter mood we take exception to the writer’s blanket swipe on all religions when he said “Religious laws originate from questionable sources which humans are not allowed to question or inquire into, or they do so at great cost to themselves. Unfortunately, the religions have refused to tell the world the truth about the origins of these laws which they insist must guide and govern human lives, and direct and determine human decisions – including the ones we make here at the Human Rights Council.”
There are many religions no doubt, and the writer may be right to say some have questionable laws, and the truth about the origins of there laws in doubt. Truth? Certainly not the religion we profess. The Veda said "Truth is elusive, it's like a butterfly, you've got to search for it.” Mohammed said "I'm a servant of the truth.” Buddha said "I'm still searching for the truth.” Jesus Christ comes and says "I am the Truth.” It is this same Jesus whom we, among other Christians in the world, just celebrated his triumph over death following his brutal killing in the hands of the Jews and the Roman soldiers.
Like we said, in Christianity, the Jesus we are talking about gave us only two commandments. But we will be particular about the second commandment: Love thy neighbour as yourself. Though this law can be said to be divine it nevertheless is earthly. It is for our own purpose. If all humans would follow this law candidly and wholeheartedly there will not be hate, murder, jealousy, envy, and even terrorism. Imagine how the people would have faired if our leaders loved us the way they loved themselves. Under religious law, the writer said, there is no place for humans to participate. But God called unto man in Isaiah “come, let us reason together”.
The problem with religion and politics is not that religion goes against humanity, democracy and human rights, but that there have been many interpretations of the same “doctrines”. You find that within the same religion there are sects and denominations, with corollary intramural conflicts as it were. Even an atheist of all people weighs in on this. Ken Schei, founder and president of, wait for it, “Atheists for Jesus” said that a religion based on the actual message of Jesus, and not through layers of misinformation and misunderstanding that religious leaders have utilized for their own benefit, could never have been used as an excuse for many atrocities done today.
Questions about the authenticity of religious books will continue till the end of time, but it will not change the message we take when we read the Good Book, the best moral instructor, ever. Even then the “bible” is still being written. It is in the many inspirational books being penned by true men of God.
Atheists and yes, humanists never ask themselves how they wake up after snoring all through the night. At any slightest opportunity they look for people who will believe them, who will follow them. But thankfully they will always remain a minority. John Gray a British political philosopher says “Evangelical atheists who want to convert the world to unbelief are copying religion at its dogmatic worst. They think human life would be vastly improved if only everyone believed as they do, when a little history shows that trying to get everyone to believe the same thing is a recipe for unending conflict.” The same could be said of Humanists.
Whether they like it or not, whether they believe it or not, there is still the infiniteness about our living, about our essence that cannot be answered conclusively by logic, science and reasoning. Even what is a science theory for many years can one day be disproved, and scientists and mankind continue the search, the endless search.
There is an innate yearning in man for the things that are divine. It is insatiable, and it can only be felt if we open our arms for God’s embrace.
Nevertheless, as Gray says, “Not everyone needs a religion. But if you do, you shouldn't be bothered about finding arguments for joining or practising one. Just go into the church, synagogue, mosque or temple and take it from there.”
Dr Cosmas Odoemena
The piece Religious law, democracy and human rights published in the March 29, 2013 issue of The Guardian was a well thought out article. But as Christian and still in the Easter mood we take exception to the writer’s blanket swipe on all religions when he said “Religious laws originate from questionable sources which humans are not allowed to question or inquire into, or they do so at great cost to themselves. Unfortunately, the religions have refused to tell the world the truth about the origins of these laws which they insist must guide and govern human lives, and direct and determine human decisions – including the ones we make here at the Human Rights Council.”
There are many religions no doubt, and the writer may be right to say some have questionable laws, and the truth about the origins of there laws in doubt. Truth? Certainly not the religion we profess. The Veda said "Truth is elusive, it's like a butterfly, you've got to search for it.” Mohammed said "I'm a servant of the truth.” Buddha said "I'm still searching for the truth.” Jesus Christ comes and says "I am the Truth.” It is this same Jesus whom we, among other Christians in the world, just celebrated his triumph over death following his brutal killing in the hands of the Jews and the Roman soldiers.
Like we said, in Christianity, the Jesus we are talking about gave us only two commandments. But we will be particular about the second commandment: Love thy neighbour as yourself. Though this law can be said to be divine it nevertheless is earthly. It is for our own purpose. If all humans would follow this law candidly and wholeheartedly there will not be hate, murder, jealousy, envy, and even terrorism. Imagine how the people would have faired if our leaders loved us the way they loved themselves. Under religious law, the writer said, there is no place for humans to participate. But God called unto man in Isaiah “come, let us reason together”.
The problem with religion and politics is not that religion goes against humanity, democracy and human rights, but that there have been many interpretations of the same “doctrines”. You find that within the same religion there are sects and denominations, with corollary intramural conflicts as it were. Even an atheist of all people weighs in on this. Ken Schei, founder and president of, wait for it, “Atheists for Jesus” said that a religion based on the actual message of Jesus, and not through layers of misinformation and misunderstanding that religious leaders have utilized for their own benefit, could never have been used as an excuse for many atrocities done today.
Questions about the authenticity of religious books will continue till the end of time, but it will not change the message we take when we read the Good Book, the best moral instructor, ever. Even then the “bible” is still being written. It is in the many inspirational books being penned by true men of God.
Atheists and yes, humanists never ask themselves how they wake up after snoring all through the night. At any slightest opportunity they look for people who will believe them, who will follow them. But thankfully they will always remain a minority. John Gray a British political philosopher says “Evangelical atheists who want to convert the world to unbelief are copying religion at its dogmatic worst. They think human life would be vastly improved if only everyone believed as they do, when a little history shows that trying to get everyone to believe the same thing is a recipe for unending conflict.” The same could be said of Humanists.
Whether they like it or not, whether they believe it or not, there is still the infiniteness about our living, about our essence that cannot be answered conclusively by logic, science and reasoning. Even what is a science theory for many years can one day be disproved, and scientists and mankind continue the search, the endless search.
There is an innate yearning in man for the things that are divine. It is insatiable, and it can only be felt if we open our arms for God’s embrace.
Nevertheless, as Gray says, “Not everyone needs a religion. But if you do, you shouldn't be bothered about finding arguments for joining or practising one. Just go into the church, synagogue, mosque or temple and take it from there.”
Dr Cosmas Odoemena
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