World Blog by humble servant. HISLAM The Corruption of Religion in Our Lives.

You start out on a journey along a beautiful path. You see animals and insects, large green trees, a clear creek glistening in the sunlight, and colorful insects pollinating beautiful flowers. Your feet gently rest upon warm soil. You breathe clean air and look up at a vast blue sky filled with flying birds. You pluck fruit off of long hanging branches along the path. You swim and wash yourself in an ever-widening clear creek filled with fish. You see calm ponds filled with beautiful lotus flowers. The path has its dangers. The dangers can be overcome and avoided if you follow the directions you were given when you

started on the journey.

As you travel on the path, you begin to notice changes. You see fewer animals and insects. The creek is murky and narrow with less aquatic life in it. The large fruit-laden trees begin to give way to dead flowerless brush filled with thickets of sharp weeds. You do not see many flower-laden ponds. You begin to tire frequently, and take shorter breaths. In contrast to the landmarks and signs you saw when you started out on the journey, you now see an increasing number of man-made signs pointing in directions that are not in the original traveler’s manual.

Self-appointed guides insist that you follow their directions. Travelers constantly squabble and many divide themselves into different groups. Each group claims that its way is the best way and if you do not join them you will be lost. Groups carve out their own paths away from the main path, write their own guidebooks, and outline steps to take in order to walk on their paths. The changes have been evident for a long time but you did not initially realize what has taken place. Travelers follow each other’s opinions instead of heeding the original directions provided by The Guide.You wonder if you should continue with your current sojourners, find another group, or embark on your own course. Amazed, you exclaim, “What happened to the beautiful path I started out on ... the path I thought I was on ... what happened to the beautiful path!” When other sojourners hear you, they utter, “What is wrong with you? “What other path are you talking about? You’re going in the right direction.” You again ask, “How can I get back to the right path ...the path I was on?” They simply respond, “Something is wrong with you.” Something is wrong with you in their eyes. Even though each one of them started out on the same beautiful path, they can no longer imagine or see it.

The beautiful path is now a vast obstacle course. The current path reflects the state or condition of religion. Religion has been so corrupted that its original face is beyond recognition unless a person is guided to the truth. Over a long period, religion has been disfigured and fashioned into a vast spiritual obstacle course laden with:

Idolatry.

Hundreds of cults (a.k.a., denominations, ‘schools of thought’).

Blasphemous doctrines akin to spiritual ‘trapdoors.’

Legions of professional clergy.

Rules, rites, and rituals never authorized by God.

‘Norm troopers’ directed to enforce man-made doctrines, and

Groups hosting “select” seekers who exclude others.

Religion is not the opiate of the people, but the distortion of religion is clearly an opiate. Distorted corrupt religion induces spiritual sleep. But, amidst such corruption, confusion, and chaos, there are righteous souls who, by God’s leave, are guided back in all times to the true worship of God. They have nothing to fear nor will they grieve.

Proven Truth:

Surely, those who believe, those who are Jewish, the Christians, and the converts; anyone who (1) believes in God, and (2) believes in the Last Day, and (3) leads a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord. They have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve. (Quran 2:62)

In this imagined journey, the other creatures, plants, and life forms are in harmony with the greater divine scheme. Each life form has its purpose. You are endeavoring to find your purpose. All are in submission to the Creator. The fruit, creek, and fresh air symbolize the blessings derived from worshiping God alone. Changes along the once clear path represent the gradual corruption of religion.

Unfortunately, many people are content with

the corruptions. Hopefully, you still want to remain vigilant in your search for spiritual truth. Your questions about changes on the path are echoed by others who also recognize that something has gone awry with religion. What is considered normal religious practices to others is spiritually harmful and toxic to you. This imaginary journey pauses at a ‘place’ where you say you want to get back on the right path.

Many current doctrines and practices in the three monotheist religions divert you from the right path. Hundreds of other religions and beliefs systems are as distorted as the monotheist religions. One web site estimated that there are more than 7,200 religions, denominations, sects, religious bodies, faith groups, and spiritual movements in the world. But, there is only one original spiritual path - the religion ordained by God for creation (Submission).