Religion is one of the pillars of society. It can be used to rule the common with fair and just practice or it can be used for a rulers own self-improvement and greed. Many times over the course of world history religion is misconstrued and leads individuals to believe self-interrupted version of its holy text. Two of the most prominent religions in world history Islam and Christianity were used to empower those in high authority. This point is made clear with the documents discussed, and show readers that religion is nothing more than tool for the intellect to take advantage of the common masses of society.
In the Islam religion there is many different common religious traditions. Over time the core values if Islam have been smeared or are completely misunderstood. In document 9. 3 The Voice of the Law a common practice taught was to always practice kindness and equity. On the subject of tolerance the Quran states to live with peace between your brethren and remain conscious of God. The Quran speaks of doing good unto your parents, kinsfolk and the poor and speak kindly of them. (page 446) Today the public media spines the Quran as preaching hate and distain for Western Civilization, this is clearly not true.
It appears the message for Muhammad is very in Quran but at times is changed in other texts, making it difficult for followers to understand the message. A great example of controversy within the Islamic faith is found in The Sharia and the desire for law and corrective behavior by Muslims. Speaking of kindness and tender lovingness in the Quran and then talking about offenses against not paying into Zakat as punishable by death are contradicting. Sharia law considered not paying into Zakat as committing apostasy and may be put to death. page 449)
These ideas are allowing for the Muslim faith to be viewed as barbaric and uncivilized. There seems to be many different contradicting roles of women in the Islamic world as well. In The Hadith women are not even to be looked upon or even touched, this is considered a forbidden act. (page 447) It goes on to state that woman should be treated kindly, for women were created from the rib of a man. (page 448) On one hand women are viewed as fair possession and should be viewed scarcely and only in appropriate clothing.
One the other the prophet proclaimed that heaven was made up of the poor and hell was inhabited by women. That allows for contradicting, primitive and unfavorable attention on the Islamic faith. Another faith that at times goes against its own teaching to empower its leaders is Christianity. In the beginning stages of the faith converting to Christianity was not easy or simple. At the time the choice to convert beliefs was questionable and rather many people of the time blended their beliefs with new ideas creating new rituals and traditions. page 504)
Charlemagne in Capitulary on Saxony writes that followers of pagan worship who had ever performed in any acts of sacrifice or opposition to Christianity should be punished by death. Many times in the text Charlemagne warrants capital punishment to those that do not follow Christianity. It is clear that Charlemagne used his faith in Christianity only to secure his position of authority. Pope Gregory, Charlemagne and Boniface all had a firm belief in Christianity. Any talk against their faith or any proclamation of pagan or tribal woodsmen belief was frowned upon.
The Leechbook an Anglo-Saxon manuscript describes medical problems caused by elves and nightgoers. The Leechbook talks of way to defend against the devil with using heathberry plants, garlic and cropleek. These cures and preventions would almost certainly be viewed as blasphemy in the eyes of Charlemagne, and would almost certainly sanction capital punishment. Saint Boniface led many missionaries into German and Hessian territory during the eighth century. In the Life of Boniface one of his devoted followers Willibald describes Boniface as one that converted none believers.
Willibald writes of Boniface once chopped down a great oak tree and built an oratory for no believers and heathens to prey upon. The story of Saint Boniface as a great converter seems fictional, and used as a means of spreading the world of Christianity rather than actual truth. To assume that Saint Boniface would go into foreign lands and challenge elders and chiefs of tribes and call for them to convert to Christian religion seems ludicrous. Religion and faith go hand in hand.
The choice to believe in Islam or Christianity is something I would assume is not done lightly. The choice to believe is influenced by a list of many different ancient religious documents pertaining to Islam or Christianity. These documents as discussed are at times misconstrued and do not accurately describe the religion as intended. Hopefully people of faith take the choice to believe in a religion seriously, and are aware of its actual truth, instead of listing to outside sources that only corrupt and cause misery that don’t believe.
