Science and Religion: Development of European Studies of Humanity

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

I'm breaking these huge topic into sub-topics and fitting them again in few parts and posts. It is just to make it less complicated and we can review it one by one. Many of European thoughts were understood around the world but not Eastern thoughts as we have more complicated system of writing. We have many kinds of writing system which could not easily being conveyed through modern technology. And those who translated our literature were of European origin who happened to view others' way of life in their own shoes and not in others' shoes. This is what had been proposed by our International Relation lecturer when we talked for the topic such as Chinese economy and political thoughts. Not many Europeans are fluent in Chinese languages and dialects or well-versed in Chinese cultural sphere. The same thing happens to Muslim nations of diverse regions, cultural background and languages. For European way of thinking, there are also many pimps in Africa and Asia who are inferior about their own identity and they are more European than the real Europeans, hehe. I'm also still cracking my head to restructure my thesis about how Europeans view Muslim communities in their region.

Development of Studies of Humanity in Europe

After the scientific physical researches in the beginning of Renaissance age, there comes historians and archeologists in Europe. They unearthed archeology evidences of ancient civilizations, developed philology system to check retaliation of languages, deciphering writings on inscriptions, exploring caves, exploring pyramids in Egypt, researching civilizations such as Mesopotamia or Sumeria and others. Through these researches, they developed inquiries and bringing them up to "scientific" researches. Due to these, there are also criticisms toward ancient documents.

For example, they inquired whether the inheritance from Homerus. Are they really from Homerus? Possibly, not all of them were from Homerus. They have the opinion that perhaps there are of different stages of poetry developed throughout periods and generations after some of their researches. Perhaps there are also others' poems which has been claimed as coming from Homerus. And Homerus himself is a doubtful figure. Whether he exist or just a myth. They also researched the origins of the Greeks and Romans besides their myths. Later they find out that some of the myth were true and some were not true. 

Sometimes, they find out phrases in ancient script written in old inscriptions in deserts of Middle East. So, they compared them to the contents with the scriptures such as Old Testament. After that, they arranged theories about the linguistic style and they come to opinions out of their theories that Old Testament is not purely a scripture. They believe that Muhammad s.a.w was inspired to organize a religion by the law of nations before such as the Israelite and others. They believe that king David wrote the Psalter under the influence of other nations' poetry which were older.

Christian clerics in Europe again were at temper as their authority were challenged although those who researched and inquired were also clerics of the Church organizations in Europe. Many people lose their faith and those who claim themselves as scholars and intelligent feel ashamed or insecure to be associated with religion. This is what happen nowadays.

Those who researched found that everything that risen from their opinion and criticisms were in conflict with religion. All of these things shows that religion and "science" as what they understood are two different things. However, if we discreetly observe; there is no such thing as clear conflicts between religion and science. What had been in conflict is actually the scientists and the religious clerics.  It was the conflicts between scholars and their "former" Church clerics. More over, when the Church clerics were firm with literal meanings of scripture and holding fast with exegesis or lectures that they inherited since early times. These clerics refused to research as they were not educated like those scholars. While in the same time, the clerics were those who controlled the countries while scholars had no influence at all. Because of this, there were oppression and enforcement. Example for this, Galileo Galilei was forced by the Roman Catholic Church Holy authority to leave his blasphemous opinion that the Earth is round and it circulates the Sun.

My situation... I was not good in academics in formal schools because I could not understand why there are separations in subjects of sciences and religious studies. I was more inclined toward Sharia studies but I was not totally a narrow-minded religious studies student. My ancestors were all of Islamic religious background but since we were looked down upon and badly humiliated in our intellectual grasp so I turned to Buddhism and initiated as a public follower of lord Buddha with white string. I almost entering Buddhist monastic community since I secretly studied Buddhism, Brahmanism and Yogic views intensely and it was Allah who brings me back when I tried to make up my mind (suicide attempt), hehe. I was told that those who are specialized in Islamic studies would end up as poor religious teachers in villages and living a dull-life before going to die. While those who studied "sciences" as per in science streams would be successful, could easily find jobs and survive in the future industrial world. So I kind of feel detest with the life and disappointed. When I finished my master classes now though my thesis is still in progress, I could see all which had been told with me with bird eyes view. How could people who tell us those things were so sure what will happen in the future and they were also "believing" in something just like religious people.

Finally, the boundless authority of the Church was demolished by the Church itself. Europe enters its period of Reformation and followed by the Renaissance. The Church would not easily changing its freezing attitude if it is asked to change from inside. So, the schism happened among European Christians. The Roman Catholic Church members who disagree with the narrow-mindedness of Church high authority splitting themselves from the Church and forming Protestant groups of Christians. Because of the "science", the Church became a battle field where the "science" won. The Church is neglected due to the loathe toward it. Churches in Europe and its maintainers who were the monks and priests were made antique decorations where they are prohibited to meddle with "science and knowledge". And their specific place is only in the churches. 

People becoming more and more ashamed with them selves if they are religious. Religion is viewed as a symbol of narrow mindedness, not cool, primitive, awkward and fanaticism. Some people are just rejecting religion for them selves because they think that they are so intelligent and could not be defeated with whatever arguments. Some others are proud to claim them selves as Freethinkers. And if there are people who go to church, it is only customary for them. There are no "soul" in it nor spirit of faith anymore.       

In Europe, the Europeans were with the attitude as mentioned above. However in the Orient, they are different in their colonies. The French who are famous with their Revolution, their pride with Voltaire who had cast out religion of their daily life but were also active in Christian mission activities. Just take a look at Vietnam. I read few Catholic mission books in my late maternal grandparents' house and there are also French missions mentioned in them. My late maternal grandpa was a village mosque imam.

They developed a neutral education system to weaken the religious spirit in their colonial land citizens selves. In the same time, they had approved Christian missions to spread Christianity in the lands. In neutral and mission schools, they had produces Asian and African children who also begin to feel that they are pure intellectuals like the Europeans. It is because they also do not care about their religion say if they are of Muslim family, then they do not care about it anymore. Just like the Europeans who do not care about Christianity which had took its root for hundreds of years in European continent. From Western Europe, the influence of this "science" extending its wave to Eastern lands. From the Netherlands to the Dutch East India (modern Indonesian Islands). They believe that religion is an obstacle toward "modernism" and it is not suitable for intellectualism. Eastern people would be modern nations if they leave behind their native religion.

The first people, those in Western Europe talked about the history track that they had gone through. While the Easterners namely Asians and Africans talk like parrots who only follows their masters. In this case, the Western Europeans who are also human. This also happens in our country. I experienced being treated badly by these secondary type of people. Last time I was so sad and feel so low. But now not anymore, dear brothers and sisters. I just look at them as pitiful and marginalized. If beloved brothers and sisters could grab what I mean as pitiful (pathetic) here, hahaha. Hope brothers and sisters enjoy reading and spend holidays wisely. I don't know how to make writings look interesting but I just write anything that I feel.

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace and love, amin!       

Western Influence: Western Ambition which Long Lying Dormant

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

I had checked about this small book. There isn't much can be founded online. Maybe the title in English is different. It's ok I can still briefly do some translation for benefit of Muslim nations in the East and in Eastern Europe who speak English only for the God pleasure. Please don't look down on English as a medium. It's now an effective medium compared to French. God saves the Queen, hahaha! 

This is the first part of the book. It also mentions something about Protocols of Zion and I will comment about it after I put up the points written by the writer of the book regarding the matter as I don't like forgery. We talk with academic capacity and we are not American conspiracy theorists. Conspiracy theory has no basis in Social Science and academic tradition. 

After a year learning Social and International studies with all of the difficulties facing these chaotic Western thoughts, I found that every Muslim must have these lessons in their selves even if they do not talk much. We must be aware about what we talk. As a confused Muslim boy who had been involved in Buddhism teaching, I always have this in my mind where it comes from wisdom speeches of lord Buddha as one of teachers that I had ever have. If I talk without awareness, then my speech should be dumped into the thrash can.

Even if it is coming from Talmud which is influential in Judaism law... I would avoid from being dishonest because it is not the morality of noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w. He is an honest person who speaks the Word of the God. The God is not like human-being or our schoolmates who are crazy : ) Man without pure mind could not be a person who speaks His Word... It also shows we don't simply absorb everything that we read but we have our own filters... We don't stop at one side but we also read in many angles, we don't simply agree with everything that we read : )

1. Western Ambition which had Long Lying Dormant

Say the writer, there is an alarming efforts trying to reject that there are movements which lead global toward Westernization, cultural colonization, activities to assimilate Islamic thoughts into foreign thoughts, and holding up high the coming thoughts created by the West.

These efforts trying to expound arguments in two manners:

1. The opinion which questioning on where are those institutions known as the "Westernization Institution"? In fact, there is no such institution and it has no proper building with signboard displaying such words "the School or Foundation for Westernization." Thus, this question raised is a shallow question from those with shallow mind. For these groups of Westernized people assumption, they are good and useful agents of the West who served the movement without any payment and they are sincere toward the West.  

2. The discretion of Western stooges in hiding their loyalty to their movement makes it easier for them to deceive human-being as a whole.

It is so disappointing that, those who instil doubt on the Westernization movement are of the first group. Their heart and observation was closed. Westernization movement nowadays is not a secret anymore. It is not something which is undeniable. It is perhaps something that can be denied in the past 30th century where our Arab nation were in the dark age. Nowadays, many things are doubtful for example, the Protocol of Zion which had been widely spread all over the world around 1902. It was prohibited from entering the Middle East except in 1952 after the establishment of Israel as a modern country in the middle of Arab countries. 

The secret had been opened up by its own supporter. The book "Towards Islam" written by Hamilton Gibb together with other Orientalists is among important documents in relation to this matter. Gibb had obviously mentioned the purpose of researches being conducted is to decipher on how far Westernization impacted Muslim nations. It is portrayed in his statement as below:

"How far is the Westernization affecting and what are factors which preventing it from achieving its objective. It is important so that immediate actions could be taken for the objective to be achieved."

Readers of the book could obviously get to know the effects of Westernization movement. It is like an arrow which rushed into the eyes of those deflected where it will cover their heart with ignorance. Researchers who emerged after the period had also explained this fact more precisely and they also have their own documents and notes for references. These facts could also be founded in books written by Dr. Umar Farukh and Dr. al-Khalidi entitled "Missionary and Colonization." Those from the West also had written about the issue in the book. For example, Toynbee in his book "the World and the West."

In this regard, there are many evidences which could eliminate all of the doubt for those who intend to seek truth and for those who has no crooked intention in order to stop from serving the leaders of Westernization movement such as national movement or party based on racial as such being written by scholars of cultural colonization movement. 

Those who had ever read this book titled "The Attack on Islamic World" which had been published earlier than of Hamilton Gibb's and was translated by Dr. Muhibuddin al-Khatib in al-Moaiyid few years before 19th century had explained the determination of Westerners. The book had explained what had long been dormant in these people which is to dominate the world and it is something which should be achieved. Besides, they also had stated methods in executing their mission which had been divided into few institutions for example educational institutions such as school and university, missionaries, mass-media such as journalism or publishing. There are also other institutions such as literature and art, drama, theater, movies, and broadcasting.

There is no need for other evidences to confirm that there are Westernization movements which are supported by cadres and writers who are creeping around the world. Anyone who had joined any meeting organized by them through influential news agencies will found that those mentioned matters are obvious. Hence, there is no need for new evidences in order to enlight those who were lied. It is because they are determined with deep feelings to be blind followers to racial writers. These people are just like fragile rotten fruits produced by old hideous trees.

Those who analyzed and observed activities of missionary organizations, oriental studies foundation, and confusion raised by these two institutions could be more than confident that there are Westernization movement in all of the time.  

The definition of Westernization which could be understood from dozens of definitions forming new streaming of thought. It is based from the concept and values of Western thought. It is later becoming the benchmark for other thoughts and values around the world. Its aim is to make Western cultural traits and values being regarded highly exceeding those of other nations. Most of the time, they keep attacking cultures of Muslim nations. (Later when they found that Islam has nothing to do with cultural traits, they would bend it to other things. It shows that they hate the God because Islam is One of His Glorious Names).

Christian missionaries and Orientalists ever stated their ambition and objective is to create a new generation who would feel disgusted with Islamic values, those who low-esteem oriental values and thoughts, and working hard in preventing Islamic elements of morality and devotion to the God from entering educational institutions. The supporters of Westernization movements trying hard to pulverize Islamic figures such as prophet Muhammad s.a.w through finding the flaws of his characteristics, trying to demonize companions of Muhammad s.a.w, overshadowing Muslim philosophers of prophetic traditions with other extraordinary figures such as al-Hallaj, al-Sahruwardi, Bashar, al-Rawandi and many others.  

These efforts (their jihad for their own satisfaction) had been implemented through news papers and other so-called "standard quality" publishing with writers who were given fantastic images and titles to impress others.

Their writing technique would first explain the resolution which will be followed by few assumptions. Through assumptions, they created theories.

We don't treat these figures whether Muhammad s.a.w, celestial angels, prophets like Jesus a.s or Moses a.s and good people of the past like our schoolmates, buddies nor parents like in the West. We have 'respect' traditions in the East where manners and politeness is the most important thing as a mean to respect the soul within physical bodies of everyone. In Western world perhaps, people can call their dad or mum with their name. In Eastern part of the world, we respect them with titles. It is the same from Japan to Middle East and degree of politeness decreases as far as the sun sunken. Western thought indeed had entered educational institutions even in Malaysia. I still remember a leader had said that those religious studies students could be nothing in the future rather than being coconut graters in the village and later burdening the government. As the reslut, many religious studies students feel disgusted of themselves and for my case, I had fought teachers and seriously turned to Buddhism at that time shortly before I shifted to a technical school in Kajang. We are the products of those educational system which looks at material as a benchmark for development and not of soul based : )

Now... brothers and sisters that I love the most. This is how those "scholars" in the net work too. If we wanted people to live a noble life. We do not talk evil about others nor slandering because only people with evil mind will do that. This is not from Islamic teachings but from Buddhism teaching. I am actually more proficient in Buddhism and Brahmanism teaching compared to the religion of my ancestors which is Islam. Usually when I talk about these two traditions of philosophy from Indian sub-continent, I would treat them with respect, unlike those pastors nor hateful atheists because I was also once an atheist. Buddhists are atheist Hindus : ) 

End for this part, 9th of Zulhijjah 1432 wishing the Lord to bless creatures and universe with His boundless Mercy, Peace, and Love in this period near Resurrection, amin!