The wisdom of fundamentalism

[Majed]

I was listening to my dad with the intention of getting to the truth about his worldview. My dad is a fundamentalist Muslim, a classic Sunni Muslim, in short. He isn't into mysticism or any of this sort of things, he's into mainstream Islam. And listening to him I got multiple insights and wisdom from his worldview. But before jumping into the insights, I've realized before through contemplation that there isn't one correct worldview, because what you pay attention to becomes your view of the world. So, for example, if you're a Muslim and spend your time studying and practicing Islam, Islam is going to be your worldview, to put it simply, and there isn't one correct worldview so to speak, because reality is infinite hence there's an infinite amount of things to pay attention to, which will result in an infinity of worldviews depending on the object of observation of each observer. But anyways, here are some insights on the wisdom of a Muslim fundamentalist: 

So basically, I realized that the point of Islam is psychological well-being as well as material success. It's a very pragmatic view of the world, but incredibly effective at producing happiness and material success. For example, the idea the principles that lead to success in the material world, are the same that lead to success in the spiritual world, the afterlife. And that by following certain rules of conduct and behavior, you can thrive on a material level as well as in the afterlife. For example, a key principle in Islam is discipline, both in spiritual practice (prayer 5 times a day, fasting...) but also this discipline will carry over into other domains of your life, than religion, for example in your health and career, making you successful in both of them. Because what you tend to do in one thing, you tend to do in all other things. So, if religion teaches you discipline, this principle will be implemented in other areas of your life. For a fundamentalist Muslim, his God isn't a sadist, who likes to torture people in hell, but rather that the way the spiritual world, the afterlife, works is similar to how the material world works. If you don't follow certain rules and principles like discipline, bad things will happen to you, you might become an addict or homeless... 

Fundamentalism isn't as foolish as many people can make it sound; it is filled with practical wisdom. That's why people subscribe to it. 

[enchanted]

10 hours ago, Majed said:

. That's why people subscribe to it. 

Billions in fact. My dad is similar but instead of worshipping a 50 year old war Lord, with 13 wives from the ancient middle east, he worships a 33 year old hippie, with 12 male companions from the ancient middle east. 

Like you however, I can also appreciate the positive aspects of religion that many secularists overlook. 

PROS OF RELIGION: community, structure, ancient wisdom, less depression/anxiety/loneliness, higher birthrate, based on enlightened teachings. 

Edited 5 hours ago by enchanted

[Opulence]

1 minute ago, enchanted said:

PROS OF RELIGION: community, structure, ancient wisdom, less depression/anxiety/loneliness, higher birthrate, based on enlightened teachings. 

I'm trying to figure out this ancient wisdom. What is it exactly? In lucid terms I mean. 

[aurum]

It's also morality and a way of living life beyond just themselves.

 

[enchanted]

13 minutes ago, Opulence said:

I'm trying to figure out this ancient wisdom. What is it exactly? In lucid terms I mean. 

From strictly an anthropological perspective these ancient holy books are fascinating. I'm not going make a list here but they have many stories of wisdom handed down throught the generations that we take for granted. They also have alot of nonsense in then. Ask AI for a list. 

Also if a worldview gets you more friends, more kids, less anxiety and depression I'd call that pretty wise, wouldn't you? 

Edited 5 hours ago by enchanted

[Opulence]

29 minutes ago, enchanted said:

From strictly an anthropological perspective these ancient holy books are fascinating. I'm not going make a list here but they have many stories of wisdom handed down throught the generations that we take for granted. They also have alot of nonsense in then. Ask AI for a list. 

Also if a worldview gets you more friends, more kids, less anxiety and depression I'd call that pretty wise, wouldn't you? 

That's a good way to put it. But a religion can easily open doors to corruption, cultism and dogma and if it keeps extending cause large scale harm.

 

[enchanted]

2 hours ago, Opulence said:

That's a good way to put it. But a religion can easily open doors to corruption, cultism and dogma and if it keeps extending cause large scale harm.

 

Everything can get corrupted and does. BUT you are right, perhaps THE GREATEST case that religion is made up by humans is that it is corruptible; An omniscient, all powerful God should be able to come up with a religion so persuasive, powerful, wise, and perfect that nobody could corrupt or disbelieve it. 

Then again why does God need salesman? 

[Opulence]

1 minute ago, enchanted said:

Everything can get corrupted and does. BUT you are right, perhaps THE GREATEST case that religion is made up by humans is that it is corruptible; An omniscient, all powerful God should be able to come up with a religion so persuasive, powerful, wise, and perfect that nobody could corrupt or disbelieve it. 

Then again why does God need salesman? 

Well God doesn't need a salesman. Humans do. Religion has superficial benefits that almost any united community can offer. Religious communities are fundamentally biased though because they tend to give extreme weight to every word as though it's descended from God. That's actually the real danger within.