The Meaning of Religion and Why It Matters Today

Three days into the month of Ramadan, one of Islam’s holiest months, and I’m reminded of the strength of faith. CNN seems to think so too with its new series on religion. 

A month into the show, The Believers that takes a deeper look at the power of believing in a higher being and living for a greater purpose. Narrated by an internationally acclaimed writer and scholar on religions, Reza Aslan says he has always been a “deeply spiritual kid” though he was a “nominal Muslim.” I know I can relate.

Many Muslims raised in the 1980s–not a popular time to be openly Muslim–called themselves ‘cultural Muslim.’ Which is what I knew about Islam as a child, and a concept that I would teach years later:

Culture trumps religion.

So many Muslims today confuse / conflate Islam with their age-old traditions, customs, and patriarchal norms. It wasn’t until I was in college that I began to explore my identity, find a sense of belonging, and learn about faith–a kinder, gentler Islam which I often write about. Not the radical, extreme, violent, and insane Islam that is being preached, practiced, and pushed on other Muslims.

If I had not discovered Islam for myself, by reading the teachings of saints and scholars, I would have been ignorant or rejected faith altogether. I’m thankful neither happened. 

 

Of all his interviews, I found this one insightful: Aslan’s reading of the Bible by Jesuit priests, who introduced him to Islam.

 

Check out Aslan’s books: No God But God and his latest work called Muslims and Jews in America