Introduction
Faith and dogmas are two different emotions, but ones which are quite closely related with each other. To begin with, faith is a very intense human emotion and sentiment whereby one appears to be convinced of the authenticity of a certain truth. In other words, faith is an emotional acknowledgment or realization of a truth and could depend on either reason or non-reason. Dogma, on the other hand, is, in most fundamental terms, an acknowledgment of faith coupled with an idea for a practical application to attain Accordingly, an ideology is a set of rules and principles based on the intent to follow and implement it.
Characteristics of Faith
In these regards, one may ask that if a faith is such a pure human concept and that a dogma seeks for its practical manifestation, then why could it be asserted that faith unites, and dogma divides? To, answer this, let us first delve deeper in the meaning of faith and its examples, and then determine its impact as a unifying force. Following this, we may better understand the ideals of a dogma and why it could be a definitively, or a potentially dividing force. Faith could be seen as a unifying force because it implicates an inclination towards the universality of a truth.[the_ad id=”17141″]
However, perhaps we forget that truth is not such a simple concept, and that its abstract nature could possibly have played a role in the nurturing of various faiths. For example, are the various religions of the world not endorsing entirely divergent views? Monotheism against polytheism and Hereafter versus reincarnation may have played a certain role in dividing man. So how can one suggest that faith is a unifying force? Perhaps, here, when we question the divisive nature of religion, we may neglect its unifying attributes. It is true we may not appear to be entirely uniform in our faiths, but would we be more united or less united without it? It is true that Islam disassociates itself from another belief, such as, Hinduism, but has not Islam united over a billion human beings? Howe disunited was Arab, North Africa, and the sub-continent before the advent of Islam. Often in focusing too much on certain divisions, we tend to negate the connecting power of something.
Faith as Uniting Force
Even if we may disagree on beliefs in the number of Gods, are we not all united in the acceptance of a Higher Power which governs the world? Then there are other aspects of faith, such as, the belief that there will be justice in the world, or that good must prevail in the world. Is it not this message of virtue which is endorsed by all of the people? How many people believe that depravity must prevail instead of morality? Are we not united by this belief in good? .. Similarly, how many people believe that crimes ought to be punished? True, we may disagree in its execution, but do we disagree in the belief that justice should not be extend? Do we not all believe that hard work pays of? The Quran says that men gets what he strives for. But united in this belief, from the early Muslims to the Renaissance and modern scientists, do not we all appear united in this belief.[the_ad id=”17142″]
Ideals of Dogma Division
To further give a sense of faith’s unifying characteristics, one could examine the Quaid’s slogan for Pakistani people when he would repeatedly announce, “Unity, Faith, Disciple’. As a result, this illustrates how unity and faith are so closely linked and that holding on to beliefs is what unites us. From more practical standpoints, does not last again demonstrate its characteristics of bonding? One method to assert this would be to examine the most challenging and rough times which test the limits of human resolve and cause fissures in his relations. This is because is it not faith alone which is sticking together the already damaged and weakened fabric of the Ummah? Is it not our most honest convictions which unite the oppressed against the oppressors and defeat all the divisions spread by greed and ignorance?
Through Dogma Perceived
Allah said in the Quran that when He created Adam, He taught him basic values of goodness and virtue. Hence, each man is by his nature inclined towards certain truths, such as, morality and goodness. It is by the teachings ingrained in our hearts by the creator that we are united by faith. As Allah said in the Quran, that all of mankind is but one community, we may truly understand our unity as a space. It could be argued that we could be divided in certain matters of faith, such as, religion, but generally, it could be suggested that more are united than not In these regards, perhaps the real divisions are formed when man begins to invent his own interpretations of his faith and applies those to the real world These doctrines that man may forge have possibly caused much fissures. For example, consider the case of sectarianism.[the_ad id=”17150″]
Positivity of Dogmas
Sectarianism has ravaged various cultures and societies. It is an exceptional scenario where despite professing to the same God, men commit crimes against each other. Has our own nation, Pakistan, not been shaken to its core where people of same faith but with different ideologies kill each other? As Karl Marx quoted, that ideologies are the long-awaited anti-Christ, truly we have possibly borne the brunt of its wrath, Furthermore, have not warred been fought, causing the greatest of adversities upon man due to differences in ideologies? Did not the world reach a point of grave polarisation and a threat of a total nuclear annihilation when the two ideologies of communism and capitalism clashed? What about science and theory of evolution? While we may naturally incline towards believing that all man are created equal, has not the doctrine of survival of the fittest discriminated against the various people and cultures of the world? One may perceive a consistent them in such ideologies, and that is that it attempts to improve itself others to claim superiority.
Dogma as Unifying Force
And when one attempts to improve over someone else, it always tends to elicit a human reaction, inciting discord. Following back upon the case of faith, one could realize that faith pivots towards a concept of truth. One’s recognition of a truth may not have much impact on another person, because, even in absence of faith of the other person, the one believing may contend that truth would prevail. This lack of faith’s imposition in certain aspects may be another reason for it to be less contentious, Nevertheless, since various schools of thought need to disprove our curtail any ‘competition’, they appear to divide. Another factor of their clearing power may be that quite often, an ideology corresponds to a man-made interpretation of the Divine.[the_ad id=”17144″]
When man interprets, the can be imperfection, and these flaws could incite further separation of man and community. To illustrate, let us consider a society ruled by faith against one by ideologies and without faith. The early Muslims were near flawless in regards to their faith and hence showed great unity and resolve. To the extent that Arabia united for the first time. in contrast, take a secular nation, such as, United States for example. The nation is filled with various groups and opposing communities, from socialists to capitalists, creationists versus evolutionists, and federalists versus republicans etc. Is a nation defined by ideology not in itself divided? Still, despite these apparent deviations in human customs, one may ask if it is indeed a very negative phenomenon. Because, as Aldous Hroclay, the great novelist and author of Brave New World, quoted, ‘The only consistent people are dead. Consistency is opposed to human nature’ what is the need to rid off of divisions if they may not always be harmful. We human beings are very complex beings and often tend to form differences.
Man’s Corruption of Dogma
If faith forms an essential part of our reality, are we also not defined by our ideologies as well? And have not divergent opinions also constituted to great positive change and an increased level of advancement? Why must we stress so much against division if it can be temporary and lead to progress? One of American history’s greatest ideological leaders, Eugene Debs said that the frothiest world in all of languages is that of revolution. Throughout history, great divides have been caused by certain ideologies only to ultimately unite all. Was not Sir Syed’s Two Nation Theory initially a great dividing force among the Muslims? Did that dividing dogma not eventually led to the greatest unity of Indian Muslims to form an independent homeland? Furthermore, great ideologies have also appeared to unite the masses throughout history.
One may suggest that early Muslims were united by faith, but did not the ideology of Ummah play any role? When the Prophet said that all Muslims are brothers of each other, did this not serve to unite Muslims ever since? What about the concept of nationalism which unites men regardless of their faith, In this scenario, does not a doctrine transcend even the limits of faiths unifying powers.
Faith’s Superior Unity Over Dogma
Previously, we highlighted instances where faiths unifying abilities supercede its divine potentials, but could not the same also be suggested of doctrines? True, communism and capitalism polarised the world, but did it also not united age-old foes? Did Germany not join hands with France and did not mainland Europe show an unprecedented show of unity? Was this faith or dogma? Still, one may not entirely neglect the afore-mentioned cleaving forces of ideologies and the immense harm it has caused to mankind. One could wonder why something which was often related with the purity of faith and the promise of welfare inflict such massive damages and afflictions upon man? Perhaps, to provide a rationale, one may refer to Reza Aslam, American academic on religion. He said that people are bigots and not religion, and that people use faith to justify their bigotry. Perhaps because ideologies hold such influence over people that it has been used as a tool to fulfill personal egoist aspirations. Perhaps it could be asserted that dogma does not in itself divide, but that the manner in which it is applied and the purpose it serves determine its true character. It may be that dogmas cause many ills, but they also cause many benefits and their diversity and revolutionary thinking add colour to human life.[the_ad id=”17151″]
Conclusion
In conclusion, faith and dogmas are two concepts quite closely connected and a defining part of our societies and cultures. Faith corresponds to a general belief in a certain universal truth or reality and adopts many different manifestations, such s, religions and mere general goodness. While in certain instances, it may divide people in particular aspects, such as, religion, in general, it may have united more than it divided. Moreover, our creator instilled in ourselves, each human being, with a level of morality and virtue, and through our faith in them, we could be guided towards a more integrated species.
In contrast, dogma needs not to be a universal truth. It could be an application of faith through its own interpretation, or an altogether independent set of principles and values. Throughout history, they have caused much conflict and some of the reasons might include its manmade imperfection and desire to be superimposing Nevertheless, though it may have caused many divisions, one may not, with certainly, suggest that the divisions have been negative. On a number of quite glaring occasions throughout history, ideologies have only divided people to eventually elicit change and ultimately unite them.
Perhaps the pure consistency of faith inspires a desire to introduce divergent ideals. Yet, ideologies are again not always dividing people. In fact, it would appear that in certain scenarios, such as, nationalism, dogmas transcended the uniting powers of faith. One could not, thus, suggest that dogmas divide, but that since there are formed by man’s imperfect wisdom, they may cause fissures or even transpire tremendous divisions and conflicts. in these regards, one could see that faith tends to be more dependent on a divine concept, while a dogma relies on man. Perhaps that is the rationale of dogmas two contrasting imparts. Perhaps, Tony Benn, a former British Minister, best differentiated between the two saying, ‘Faith is something men die for. Doctrine is something men kill for. These lies all the difference in the world’. Consequently, faith tends to unite, and while dogma can also unify men, it could also divide them. Ultimately, the unity inspired by the desire to die for Good argumentative attempt. Conclusion is bit abrupt. Please add quotations & religious reference, more, talk about other religions and philosophically assert your cleaner.
