Theos-Talk Archives (May 2004 Message tt00097)

May 10, 2004

Re ISLAM and OTHER RELIGIOUS SOURCES


Dear Friend:

It is impossible to give sane and stable answers to matters of
ever-shifting politics and inter-country relationships, which appear
continuously involved in political posturing , painting false images
of ones self and conditions, and secrecy of the most outrageous
internal immorality.  

We are bewildered by a stream of hideous and horrible events now being
laid bare before us. What is most appalling, is the delay in
redressing such conditions and practices. Saying publicly or privately
that one is "sorry," and, that a whole country, as focused in an
official of whatever level, is "apologizing," shows no great
consideration for those who are victims.  

How can their torture be redressed? What kind of reparations are to
be carried out? How can we - the average people - be assured that
such viciousness is never allowed to continue, or that at some future
date, we, our friends, our compatriots, and our families will be
secure from any possibility of such oppression in the future?

It is even worse when one tries to bring accord between those who are
members of the "follow the leader," orthodox, dogmatic, sectarian
beliefs and creeds.  

If people will only read what others use as a basis for their
religious beliefs, one's mind opens to the great brotherhood of all
religious structures, when taken in their original source meanings as
applications of VIRTUE..

There are a few places to go to secure basic texts: and the reading
for comparison is not long or tedious. In fact it is most
interesting.

We have in Christianity: THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT . Or Sir Edwin
Arnold's LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

In Hinduism, read the BHAGAVAD GITA,. Or, Arnold's THE SONG
CELESTIAL. Or, the UPANISHADS.

Buddhism is epitomized in the DHAMMAPADA [the FOOTFALLS OF THE LAW]
(now available at the Phoenix U L T Web-site) and THE LIGHT OF ASIA.  

Chinese philosophy is to be read in the TAO-THE-KING of Lao-Tse.  

Islam is a little more difficult as one has to secure a good
translation of the KORAN, say, by M. Picktall, (Oxford University
Press). A number of good scholars have made selections from its many
verses and present them for consideration.

All are brief, succinct and clear on questions of virtue and right
action. All treat humans from whatever place as being identical in
their idealism and objectives for a better life in their community and
the world. 

They all tend to unite, rather than divide. Above all, they presume
we enjoy the universal freedom of being able to think for ourselves. 

What then is left?

Only STRICT HONESTY. No lies and no pretensions.

So long as we do not study Virtue, and consider as actual the
immortality of the ever-reincarnating soul, [ATMA-BUDDHI-MANAS] the
personal practices that lead to an actual BROTHERHOOD OF MAN will be
delayed. 

That is the only reason what the eternal doctrine (Santana Dharma) or
THEOSOPHY have to be carefully studied with a view to personal use on
a moment to moment basis. 

Every nation and every religion has virtue at base.

Consider mathematics or the sciences - they are (or ought to be )
honest and transparent, truthful, honest, virtuous - and remain
uninfluenced by politics, false nationalism, inhumanity, or religious
and sectarian beliefs and dogmas. 

Call it idealism if you wish.

But only a practical idealism ultimately works and strengthens a man's
character, or, "inner fiber." 

What else can be used as a "touchstone" in any modern affairs,
personal, national or international ?

Best wishes,

Dallas

==========================
 

-----Original Message-----

From: Mort
Sent: Saturday, May 08, 2004 1:42 PM
To: 
Subject: Re: ISLAM -- UNDERSTANDING IT

Hallo Dallas and all, ....


The article [LETTER FROM A TURKISH EFFENDI] said:

"Anti-Christian nations arrogate to themselves, on the ground of their
superior civilization and morality, the right to impose reform upon
Turkey - we neither admit their pretensions, covet their civilization,
believe in their good faith, nor respect their morality."

I can't help wondering what role the medias and The United Nations has
today
compared to the 1880'ies.

I think it is around there we can find some of the causes to the
problems
with Islam versus Christendom as well.

The various mass-medias create their own truths and so does the
polticians.
People let themselves get influences much more than they in fact are
willing
to admit.