Place of Religion within a Secular Society

1. Place of Religion within a Secular Society 12th. Christian – Jewish – Muslim Dialogue March 2017

2. What is Secularism? • Strict separation of the state from religious institutions. • People of different religions and beliefs are equal before the law.

3. Place of Religion within a Secular Society • What is the role of an individual in society? • Does religion aid or hamper this role?

4. Monotheistic Religions Family / Neighbors World Muslims Country Oneself

5. Oneself • “Verily we have honored the Children of Adam. We carry them on land and sea, and have made provision of good things for them, and have preferred them above many of those whom We created.” (17: 70) • “When, We said to the angels, ‘Bow down before Adam,’ and they bowed down, all save Iblis: he refused and was haughty and became one of the disbelievers.” (2: 34) • “and let not your hands contribute to (your) destruction.” (2: 195)

6. Family and Neighbors “And serve God and do not associate anything with Him and be good to parents and to the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the neighbor of your kin and the neighbor who is not kin, and the fellow traveler and the wayfarer and those whom your right hand possesses; certainly God does not love him who is arrogant and boastful.” (4:36)

7. Country “And the disbelievers said to their messengers, ‘Verily we will drive you out from our land, unless you return to our religion.’” (14:13) “I love your land better than any place in the world. If it were not for your people who forced me to flee, I would have liked to stay here forever.” (Prophetic tradition)

8. Muslims “The believers feel for each other as if they were a single body, if an organ complained of an ailment the whole body will suffer.” (Prophetic Tradition)

9. People of the Book “Alif. Lam. Mim. The Romans have been defeated in a land close by, and they, after their defeat will be victorious within a few years. God's is the command in the former case and in the latter, and on that day the believers will rejoice in the victory of God. He gives victory to whom He wills, and He is the Eminent, the Giver of Mercy.” (30: 1 – 5) “Those who believe (in that which is revealed to you Muhammad), and those who follow the Jewish (scripture), and the Christians and the Sabians - any who believe in God and the Last Day, and do good deeds, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (2: 62)

10. The World • “People, We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other. Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is (he who is) most conscious of God. Indeed, God is Omniscient, Totally-Aware.” (49: 13) • “God does not forbid you, with regard to those who did not fight you because of your faith nor drove you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them.” (60: 8)

11. Pluralism • An ethic of respect that values human diversity • A set of practices and outcomes as well as a set of intentions

12. Diversity and Pluralism • “To each of you God has prescribed a Divine Law and a Way of Life. If God would have willed, He would have made you a single people. But God’s purpose is to test you in what He has given each of you, so strive in the pursuit of virtue, and know that you will all return to God, and He will resolve all the matters in which you disagree.” (5:49) • “Those who believe (in that which is revealed to you Muhammad), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians - any who believe in God and the Last Day, and do good deeds, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (2: 62)

13. Brotherhood in Humanity • “It is not required of you (O Messenger, to guide them, God guides whom He pleases. Whatever of good you give benefits your own souls, and you shall only do so seeking the "Face" of God. Whatever good you give, shall be rendered back to you, and you shall not Be dealt with unjustly.” (2:272) • “We did not send you as a keeper over them. Your duty is only to convey the Message. (42: 48) • Love for your brother what you love for yourself • Enjoining goodness and prohibiting evil • Removing harm from the way

14. Shari’a “He ordained for you that religion which He enjoined upon Noah, and that which We revealed to you (Muhammad), and that which We enjoined upon Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, saying, ‘Establish the religion, and be not divided therein.’ “ (42: 13) “To each among you We have prescribed a divine law and a way of life.” (5: 48)