About "perfection"...

Submitted by J.S. (Canada), Aug 21, 2006 at 13:45

I don't think any religion can yet claim the status of being "perfect" -- nor do I think the three Monotheistic religions claim to have achieved perfection (with the possible exception of radical Islam -- it does tend to be triumphant and superior). If perfection had been attained, then the religion can't develop (it would be in a state of stasis).

I just heard a Russian saying -- if you constantly have one eye fixated on the past (traditions, etc), then you'll be blind in one eye -- but if you have both eyes focused on the present, you'll be blind (history can't be ignored.) I think most religions tend to develop over time -- new ideas arise as civilization progresses, but with an eye to the past (so as to create a continuity). (Also, I'd just add that I don't think Islam is that much of an extension of Judaism and Christianity -- Islam proposes a radical break; Islam alleges to "correct" the "errors" of the other religions...but, one could argue that the "errors" as perceived by Muslims are not real; the "errors" are themselives "errors" of mistaken interpretations; hence, it's not necessary to accept the proposed "corrections.") (By the way, I've also been noting that because of all the attention that Islam is now getting, many commentators ("news" desk people, and so on) are assuming an Islamic perspective (even in the types of questions that they ask!) Hence, you'll hear announcers on CNN asking, "Do you think the Israelis view the current conflict in Lebanon as a religious war, as a jihad?" As I cringe / gasp -- there is no concept of "jihad" or "holy" war (there is nothing "holy" about war), from most Jewish perspectives...(at least that's from what I'm aware.) The notion of "jihad" (as religious warfare) comes from Islam -- full stop. (I suppose it could be said that Christians picked up on the idea during the Crusades...and went on their own Christian "jihad.")

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