GEK1045: Introduction to World Religions Semester 1 AY2009/10 Term Paper COVER PAGE Name: Widjaja Wensley Louis Matric

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What is religion? Is it a system of beliefs and practices, adhered to by believers? Or perhaps a form of social control, as morality tinged with emotion, and as a way of investing life with meaning (Schmidt et al, 9)? Regardless, for the believer, religion is all-encompassing; it grounds its believers with a fundamental set of beliefs, it connects with them through religious practices such as prayer and rituals, and generally advocates a morally upright way of living. In doing so, most religions introduce this concept of sin, and while this concept varies between religions, sin is essentially doing something morally wrong, a violation of moral principles as stated by the religions. For Islam, sin is anything that goes against the will of Allah. Similarly for Christianity, sin is going against the commandments set by God, and this result in . a separation between you and your God (Isaiah 59:2). Therefore, to keep their converts from sin, there is this notion of discipline within these monotheistic religions; the sinful are punished, and the righteous are rewarded. This is a recurring theme that occurs throughout the Bible as well as the Quran, and is an important part of religion. However, religion is not merely a system of reward and punishment, and to view it in such a shallow manner cheapens the true value of religion. We must look beyond the surface, to understand the purpose behind this system of reward and punishment, and ultimately uncover the true meaning of religion.

In Islam, there have been many cases and examples of punishment for sin. For example, there was an issue of female infanticide in Arab, for in the past it was a cultural norm in a society where the son is much more valued than a daughter, who was seen as a liability. The Quran responds with a punishment of fire for the unrepentant sinner who commits this atrocious act1. Another example is on drinking. Recently, there was an article on a Malaysian woman who was to be flogged for drinking2. According to Islamic law, to be intoxicated is sinful and is an

abomination3. Although there was no mention in the Quran regarding the form of punishment to be meted out for intoxication, it is undeniable that there must still be a punishment.

However, punishment for sin is not the aspect of Islam that should be focused on. Rather, it is the act of repentance, known as Tawbah, which should be highlighted. We can see a sense of urgency in repentance4. This call to repent is essential to the Islamic faith to turn back to Allah. In fact, the term Muslim is one who submits, and Islam literally means submission and peace (Schmidt et al, 407). This is a fundament of the Islam faith, a faith of submission to a higher being so as to attain a state of peace. The punishment of sin is but a tool used to direct the faithful back to Allah, just like how ritual prayer is a tool to focus the mind on Allah. This urgency in repentance may also be seen in Christianity, as can be seen in the gospels, From that time on Jesus began to preach, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near. (Matthew 4:17). Interestingly, Christianity has an even harsher view on sin and its consequence. For example, to even think of a woman lustfully is considered an act of adultery5. Also, so long as a person sin, regardless of the gravity of the sin, the result is death For the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), and Jesus even went to the extremes of amputation to illustrate the consequence of sin6. In this light, God may be seen as a harsh judge, one that severely punishes those who go against him, and saves those who are righteous. An example of this may be seen in how he dealt with the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah who have sinned in the eyes of God, yet rescuing the person he deemed as righteous7. Another example of this system of punishment and reward for human sinfulness may be seen in the times of the Judges. The Israelites during the time of Judges repeat a cycle in which Israel sins and is punished followed by Gods

raising up of judges or deliverers who free the Israelites from their enemies. But whenever a judge died, they would again act basely and worship other gods. (Schmidt et al, 308-309). However, in spite of all these, the focus on Christianity is not of discipline and punishment due to sin, but rather of reconciliation and peace with God through Jesus Christ. The ultimate act of sacrifice of Jesus Christ has removed sin8, and through him there is a way to God9. In short, Christianity is a religion of peace and of communion. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)] We can see that reward and punishment for human sinfulness plays a very important role in both Christianity and Islam, for it acts as a form of discipline and correction to their advocates. However, it is not the primary focus of the religions; rather, it serves as a tool, a form of teaching to further what is truly important to each religion. Interestingly, both religions share a very similar and nearly parallel focus, and it is this focus that we shall look at to understand the primary aim of religion. As stated earlier, Islam is a religion of submission. To fulfill this submission to Allah, the Islamic faith subscribes to the 5 pillars of Islam, namely Shahada (Profession of faith), Salat (Ritual Prayer), Ramadan (Fast), Zakat (Almsgiving) and Hajj (Pilgrimage). Each pillar engages the practitioner in activities that draw one spiritually closer to Allah; the shahada is the expectation of divine guidance and the reminder of judgment (Schmidt et al, 427). Salat is a ritual prayer held at fixed times of the day, serving as a continual reminder for the Muslim to abide in Allah and the teachings of Islam. Ramadan, the month-long fast, focuses the Muslim on thoughts of Allah and also on the evils of certain passions that can run wild. (Schmidt et al, 428). A secondary function of Ramadan is to allow the Muslim to experience the hunger and

pain of the poor, which leads to the fourth pillar known as zakat or alms giving, so that they may relate to the poor and are obligated to share a portion of their wealth with them. Finally, there is the hajj, a pilgrimage to Mecca that serves as a symbolic, ultimate manner in which the Muslim may stand before God in unity and in awe of the divine presence (Schmidt et al, 429). All these pillars all orientate and point the religious Muslim towards the essence of Allah, and I believe this communion and unity with Allah is the primary focus of Islam rather than the punishment and reward of sin. Fascinatingly, the beliefs of Christianity run nearly parallel to that of the Islamic faith. Christians are similarly called to abide in God and His love, as exhorted by Jesus, The most important [commandment] is this... Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. (Mark 12:29-31). The concept of salat in Islam also corresponds to that of the Eucharist, one of the sacraments of Christianity. Both are rituals intended to draw the believer into a deeper communion with the divine, with the latter partaking in the body and blood of Christ, and the former deep in contemplation of the teachings of Allah. Christianity also highlights the importance of relating to the poor and to give to the needy. Paul was encouraged to continue to remember the poor, the very thing [Paul] was eager to do (Galatians 2:10), and this was further expounded in the book of James, that Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress (James 1:27). Finally, just as Muslims look to Mecca and view it as their symbol of spiritual fulfillment, Christians look to the cross, a tool of execution, as a symbol of salvation; for Jesus died and was hung on the cross, taking the sins of the world in this ultimate act of sacrifice.

In conclusion, I believe that religion is primarily an avenue of spiritual fulfillment that is achieved by establishing a relationship with the divine through acts and communication in the form of rituals, prayer and living a morally upright life. The reward and punishment for human sinfulness is an important facet of religion, for it serves as a form of discipline for believers to continue living in a manner acceptable to the religion the believers subscribe to. However, it is still secondary to spiritual fulfillment and the communion with the divine, that is the primary function of religion.

End Notes

(Al Takwir 81:1-14) When the female infant, buried alive, is questioned - for what crime was she killed; when the scrolls are laid open; when the World on High is unveiled; when the Blazing Fire is kindled to fierce heat; and when the Garden is brought near - Then shall each soul know what it has put forward 2 Look up The Straits Times, Breaking News (July 23, 2009) 3 (Al Maidah 5:90) O Ye who believe! Intoxicants and Gambling, Sacrificing to Stones, and (divination by) Arrows, are an abomination, of Satan's handiwork; Keep away from such, that Ye may prosper. 4 (Al Zumar 39: 53-54) O my Servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah: for Allah forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Turn ye to our Lord (in repentance) and bow to His (will), before the Penalty comes on you: after that ye shall not be helped. 5 (Matthew 5:28) But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 6 (Matthew 5:29-30) If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. 7 (Genesis 19:24, 29) Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived. 8 (Romans 5:8)"God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" 9 (John 14:6) "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me'"
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Works Cited The Holy Bible. New International Version. Colorado Springs: International Bible Society, 1973 The Meaning of The Holy Quran. Trans. Abdullah Yusuf Ali. Maryland: Amana Corporation, 1989 AP. Malaysian Woman Accepts Flogging. 23 July 2009. 16 September 2009. <http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/SE%2BAsia/Story/STIStory_407021.html> Schmidt, Roger et al. Patterns of Religion. 2nd Ed. California: Belmont, 2005