Ramadan

When he was 39 or 40 years old Mohammad had a vision. As I understand it this illiterate Arab was told to "Write" and from this vision came the Koran and one of the world's great religions which today has over 1 billion adherents.

The religion of Islam which he founded is about as much like the religion of the radical terrorists who destroyed the World Trade Center and continue to plague the world today as is the religion of Jesus compared to the religious right who are holding sway over the Republican Party of today.

The religion's central teachings are the goodness, omnipotence, and unity of God and the need for generosity and justice in human relations. Important elements from Judaism and Christianity were incorporated into the religion. Islam means literally submission to the will of God (Allah).

The 'Five Pillars' of Islam are the foundation of Muslim life:

1. Faith or belief in the Oneness of God and the finality of the prophethood of Muhammad;
2. Establishment of the daily prayers;
3. Concern for and almsgiving to the needy;
4. Self-purification through fasting; and
5. The pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able.

You can read more about the faith here.

The reason I have posted about Islam today is that at sundown today begins the holy month of Ramadan. During this month long event the faithful (adult) Muslim fasts during the daylight hours.

Ramadan -a month of obligatory daily fasting in Islam is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar. Daily fasts begin at dawn and end with sunset. Special nightly prayers called, Taraweeh prayers are held. The entire Quran is recited in these prayers in Mosques all around the world. This month provides an opportunity for Muslims to get closer to God. This is a month when a Muslim should try to:

• See not what displeases Allah
• Speak no evil
• Hear no evil
• Do no evil
• Look to Allah with fear and hope

This religion as the other great religions of the world, if practiced faithfully, would lead to peace in our world. The message which was sent to us by whatever means is not one of war, torture, faithlessness or abuse in whatever form. They all teach of God's love and His forgiveness of our shortcomings and His unending love for his creation.

To have the High Holy days of the Jewish and the Muslim Religions fall so close together reminds me that this is a time of Atonement for all of us. A time to get closer to God and to each other. A time to forgive one another and to "live fully, love wastefully and dare to be all that you can be" as Bishop Spong says.

It reminds me of one of my favorite sayings. "There are many paths to the top of the mountain but the view is always the same." Try to see the view as God sees it and overlook the petty foibles of your fellows.

Be loved. Hugs. jcs