Blind faith no proper basis for morality

Monday, April 20, 1998

Blind faith no proper basis for morality

Organized faiths teach exclusion, not acceptance of others

By Megan Hall

I have been a student at UCLA for almost two years now, and I am
amazed at the level of ignorance that runs rampant among a number
of students here. I read "Religion should guide behavior," (April
15) and am appalled at Howayda Aly’s blind faith in the religion
that is supposed to provide "the basic notions of how one should
live in order to attain eternal bliss and peace." She contends that
she has examined religion, and has found that "one can write
endlessly about its benefits." I strongly disagree with that
statement, and her blind acceptance of something that can be so
dangerous is frightening.

Aly attempts to point out the positive points of religion, and
not only Islam, but all religions. This seems to be an open and
accepting attitude toward others until you take a closer look at
the specifics of these religions. They are not open and accepting.
Single parents for many years were chastised and excluded from
certain religious groups.

Divorce has been forbidden under any circumstances, as has any
sort of premarital sex. Pregnant teens have been bombarded with
negativity from religious groups. Gays and lesbians are not a part
of the "mainstream" organized religion. I would never consider
joining a religious group, but there are many gays and lesbians,
pregnant teens and unwed mothers, divorcees and "outcasts" who
would and who have been maliciously excluded. I am often accosted
by people wielding pamphlets touting the various benefits of their
religion, urging me to renounce my "sins" and join a specific
church or religious group. If religion is so open and accepting, so
non-judgmental, then why are members recruiting innocent – and
perfectly happy – bystanders like myself?

Aly later makes a statement that I find somewhat disturbing.
These religions of which she speaks are supposed to give
"guidelines to ease the process of living with others in this
global community. Religion helps individuals live a harmonious,
peaceful life." It is this kind of thinking that allows people to
be swept up in religion without thinking about its implications.
Maybe she has forgotten the history classes that she must have
taken here at UCLA. I cannot forget the centuries of conflict and
war that religion has caused. Holy wars and religious "crusades,"
where religious groups rightfully "belong," discrimination, sexism,
persecution and genocide have been such a large part of religious
history. How are these religions, after so many years of war and
persecution, supposed to ease the process of living with others? It
sounds to me as if sharing the earth with other humans is nothing
short of a burden to Aly, and if so, it is no wonder she needs
guidelines and rules.

The attempt to argue that it is religion that teaches murder is
wrong is simply ridiculous. I was raised in a home where I was to
choose my beliefs carefully, and after much consideration and
thought I have chosen not to embrace any form of organized
religion. I learned that murder is wrong without even being
religious! Religion is not what teaches morals and values – it is
your parents, your schools, your friends, your teachers, your
upbringing. Religion teaches prejudice, discrimination and even
hate. As a lesbian, I can speak with firsthand knowledge of how
religion teaches its followers to discriminate , to hate and
persecute for what are natural and healthy ways of life.

Aly mentions that in "monogamous relationships where premarital
sexual relations are discouraged, one can be sure of their
partners, and all the chaos and fear regarding HIV and other
diseases would be diminished." I agree that unsafe sex is a major
problem in stemming the tide of sexually transmitted diseases, but
it is unrealistic in today’s world to expect people to wait until
marriage. Premarital sex can be practiced, if practiced safely. I
see no mention in Aly’s article about the use of birth control and
condoms, nor about how to stay informed. With the proper
information and tools, sex can actually be a wonderful, fulfilling
experience that can be shared by two people. Love is the one
condition for sex, not marriage, and without legal marriage for
gays and lesbians I don’t quite understand how Aly fits us into the
picture. There was never any mention of homosexuality in her
article, but my guess would be that same-sex relationships are
prohibited as well. So I can have sex, but only if I marry someone
I don’t love (a man) and deny my true feelings (for my fiancee – a
woman) for the rest of my life. Thank you anyway.

I am sick and tired of religion preaching about the right way to
live life, what to do and what not to do, who you can date and who
you can have sex with, what you can eat, drink, wear and do. I live
by a rigorous moral code – my own moral code – not anyone else’s
and not one that was handed to me. Religion, to me, is often the
sign of a weak mind, one that cannot make its own decisions or lead
its own life. I refuse to be a part of something that can be so
hateful and spiteful, and so blatantly and ignorantly
discriminatory. I was brought up to be accepting and open, not to
discriminate or judge. I am going to raise a family the same way,
and I hope that my children’s decisions will be educated and
well-thought-out. Should they choose to join and organized religion
I will support them, but I hope they can find a sect which preaches
tolerance and acceptance, not discrimination.

When my sister and I were young, our neighbor was not allowed to
play with us. We were not Christian like they were, and her parents
didn’t want her influenced by us. Is that an "open and accepting"
attitude? Aly argues that "as higher creatures, we can think and
make a difference in our lives." I agree. I just hope that she
chooses to follow her own advice.