________________ Religion as Faith and as an Identity Asghar Ali Engineer eligion arouses complex behave as if they are politicians and contradictory and legitimise their power by sentiments. Theologians invoking God and persecute and religious leaders think it is a those who challenge their most essential part of human life authority or understanding of and condemn those who reject it. religion. Theologians and religious It was a struggle between the leaders maintain what they think church and independent thinkers and say is true religion and divine that caused much conflict and commands and all others must ultimately many independent obey them unquestioningly. thinkers rejected religious Anyone who raises questions or doctrines and the concept of criticises them must be ex- God. There were two types of communicated in this life and revolts against religion and will be condemned to hell against religious establishment. wherein they will burn eternally. Some independent thinkers who Religion as such creates were studying universe, its origin complex forces and problems and development found the and if it becomes powerful church doctrines unscientific and establishment, it assumes even unacceptable and hence rejected graver forms and then begins the them. Many of them became politics to control the religious atheists all. establishment. The priests, Then persons like Martin theologians and religious leaders Luther revolted against the BHAVAN'S JOURNAL, MARCH 15, 2012 49
