First of all, I want to clarify that I am not influenced by any particular religion, nor do I follow the political side of any religion. My goal is for each of us to take charge of our personal actions and understand where we stand in the holy realm of God. I personally believe that God is not a political entity, so God cannot be prejudiced or discriminatory against anyone who does not follow a particular religion or God’s favorite religion. I was born Muslim and do not intend to change to any other religion because, to me, they are all paths to God and should be treated as such. Otherwise, we may commit spiritual crimes like prejudice and discrimination against other individuals. My questioning is not aimed at the spiritual aspects of any religion; rather, I am highlighting where they get tainted by the deadly human politics of belonging to their groups. Where our sense of belonging takes over the individual and leads to spiritual crimes instead of fostering spirituality. Since we cannot completely escape politics, we must individually become the CEOs of our lives so that we can judge for ourselves. If we need to filter out the politics to achieve spiritual fulfillment, we should be able to do so.
My writing is directed at individuals who seek spiritual fulfillment through their religion. Interestingly, the politics of belonging within their religions often inhibit them from finding that essence because religions can preach and deny the individual’s relevance. They treat individuals like animals needing control through a carrot-and-stick philosophy. By making individuals believe they are irrelevant, they not only rob them of their self-esteem but also exert control and conformity. As individuals grow stronger, the religion’s grip or influence weakens, so they preach against individual relevance. This process of brainwashing has been ongoing for thousands of years, leading individuals to struggle with feelings of inadequacy, unimportance, and sinfulness. With low self-esteem and self-respect, individuals attach themselves to the next best thing available—namely, their group. They have been brainwashed into believing that God is so exalted that they are not worthy of a direct connection to God, when in reality, it is quite the opposite.
If the purpose of instilling fear of God is to encourage people to be good and spiritual, then the intentions are good and acceptable. However, if that fear is used to gain control and manipulate people, even using God politically, it changes everything. If we act out of fear, it does not make us spiritually good because, as soon as that fear is removed, we reveal our true selves. Being authentic and spiritually good requires faith, which comes from a love of God and personal responsibility. The most interesting aspect here is that the atom of autonomy within us is aware of why we act as we do. That is why good or bad deeds don’t happen automatically. We are individually and collectively responsible for our actions. I remember reading a poem in Pakistan, author unknown, that went: “If intoxication were in the alcohol, then the bottle should dance; it is my prerogative to perform a drunken dance.” In the end, we are all responsible for either enjoying or performing that drunken dance. We all enjoy the drink of God, but how we respond to it is still our responsibility because the atom of autonomy and related free will remains within us. We drink and choose to dance for better or worse. Remember, you stand before God as an individual, tasked with translating spirituality into physical actions. You are an equal partner in the business of reciprocation. If you are an equal partner with Almighty God, how can you lack self-esteem? How can you be irrelevant? Who are these people who tell you otherwise, and why?
Away from the politics of belonging, within our personal and mortal selves, we each possess our own atom of autonomy—what you might call the “God particle.” With this within us, we are responsible for everything we do, whether good or bad. One might ask how God allows us to do bad things. Understanding the real story of the human individual before political interventions would clarify this. Since we are blessed with autonomy, which provides us with not only free will but also a personal sense of justice, compassion, and other aspects I call our spiritual jewelry, unfortunately, the politics of belonging have the power to strip us of all that. Irrelevant self-esteem and lack of self-respect lead us to secure ourselves by fitting in, impressing, or seeking admiration, resulting in material-focused lives. We are told we cannot be directly connected to God, leading us to assume that life revolves around physicality, causing our spirituality to take a back seat. Then we are taught that it is not us but the Devil who makes us do bad things, giving us an excuse to avoid personal responsibility. If you feel inadequate, lacking self-esteem or self-respect, let’s start with understanding the real story of reciprocation with God and the politics of belonging-influenced religious beliefs.
Focusing on “me, me, me” and “I, I, I” is a clear sign of a disorder related to a lack of self-esteem and self-respect because if you truly had these qualities, you wouldn’t seek the approval of others by boasting about your importance. You don’t have to reveal the internal story of how you feel, especially if you fail to acknowledge the help you receive. Failing to recognize the fundamental aspects of spirituality reveals a spiritual flaw. Not only do you fail to acknowledge the help, but you also claim that everything is your doing, which undermines that help altogether. What are “I” and “me”? Remember, “I” and “me” only function because of real, crucial help. If you cannot live without that help, how can you claim it is all your doing? Your achievements are dependent on your inability to function independently, so “me” and “I” are not as exclusive as they may seem. Recognizing and acknowledging that help is a pathway to humility and spiritual awareness. Even God does not claim to do everything alone; God humbly accepts that spirituality needs to be translated into physical actions by humans. This is like a clap creating a physical sound through collaboration. When you place God on a high pedestal, human individuals lose their importance, which is why religious leaders have claimed human individuals are irrelevant, saying God does everything. My question to them is: How does God’s work get done? It is done with the physical help of human individuals. Before politics, the real picture of spirituality is between God and an ordinary human individual. You can believe what you want, but this reality is undeniable: human individuals are crucial. Since human individuals cannot accomplish this without help, there is nothing exclusive about it. “I” and “me” are only significant after benefiting from free oxygen and favorable conditions in both internal and external universes.
Lack of humility is one thing, taking credit is another, but discrediting everything other than “me” and “I” amounts to destroying personal spirituality. Certainly, “I” and “me” are important, but just like God, “I” and “me” should be humble and honest. Going against what lies deep within you can have consequences; falsely claiming credit for something you know is not solely your doing is an attempt to hide your inabilities. Especially if you believe that you and God are separate entities, you will naturally desire more power due to your insecurities. If you understand and create balance from within, you would not only avoid claiming credit and discrediting the help you receive but also discover that “me” and “I” are not as exclusive as they seem but rather an inseparable spiritual and physical “us.”
As a Muslim, I will start with what I have learned. To become a Muslim, you have to say, “There is only one God, and Prophet Muhammad is God’s prophet.” You then take an oath to witness God’s oneness and Prophet Muhammad’s prophethood. In Christianity, Jesus claimed, “I am the way.” Things don’t seem so bad there. Our troubles begin when we believe that we somehow become superior to others who do not share our beliefs. Is this a personal flaw, or is it a product of education? That is for you to decide after reading this. For me, if you are prejudiced and discriminatory, you are living in the wrong era. This is the era of equal human rights, so there is no room for racism, bigotry, prejudice, and discrimination. If you cannot amend your taught knowledge, regardless of its source, you are responsible for your actions. Remember, the Pope has acknowledged equal human rights, so you can do the same.
If Jesus said, “I am the way,” or if Prophet Muhammad is “the way,” you individually need to examine the reasons for our problems. If you are too passionate about the politics of your sense of belonging, you will never connect the politics of belonging as the cause of your spiritual issues. You will not question it, and thus, will not see the politics behind religious statements.
If we consider the notion that “there is only one God,” we must acknowledge the role of the human individual alongside God. Without the human individual, God, at least logically, is not a physical entity. The human individual is the central figure in this sacred context. To illustrate this, imagine God as a fabric made from threads. If you pull one, two, or even ten threads out, the fabric remains intact. However, if you continue pulling until no threads are left, the physicality of the fabric disappears. This demonstrates the importance of the human individual in this holy picture. For further examples: consider a haunted house with no people to discuss or be scared of—does it matter? Now, imagine a town with all its infrastructure, but without any people. What happens to that town? Finally, picture a lily in a forest pond with no human eyes to appreciate its beauty. These scenarios highlight the significance of the human individual in the divine context. Yet, when our spiritual systems become entangled with political ideologies, we lose sight of our spiritual standing with God.
The relationship between a spiritual God and the physical human individual is straightforward: God is spiritual, while humans perform God’s physical work. There is nothing wrong with having prophets who guide us to become decent human beings. The issue arises when religious teachings claim that only followers of a particular prophet will enter heaven while others are condemned to hell. Such claims are inherently political, fostering prejudice and discrimination. This not only affects individuals but also implies that God is prejudicial and discriminatory. If such beliefs lead to violence or conflict, it becomes necessary to challenge these misinterpretations of divine will.
When statements are made that “Prophet Mohammad is the way” or “Jesus is the way,” they are not problematic as long as they do not exclude other paths to God. For example, if someone contributes to saving lives, like the inventor of insulin, they should be considered close to God because they convert spirituality into tangible actions. Conversely, if someone practices their faith devoutly but commits violence against those who do not share their beliefs, such as in a crusade, this contradicts the essence of spirituality. Discriminating against individuals who are not part of a particular group can violate the inherent autonomy within us. Our sense of belonging can lead us astray if we ignore internal signals and adhere only to group ideology.
If God remains silent on political matters, it risks becoming a tool for groups rather than a direct connection between God and individuals. Groups might claim that individuals are unworthy of a direct relationship with God, which leads to a dangerous detachment from spiritual reality. Beliefs that one is insignificant, unworthy, or a born sinner can undermine self-esteem and prevent individuals from recognizing their significant role in the spiritual realm. The true purpose is for each person to be the CEO of their life, transforming spirituality into physical actions. The direct connection between individuals and God is crucial, and political influences should not overshadow this fundamental relationship.
The essence of spirituality is not in competing with or denigrating others but in fulfilling one’s spiritual purpose. When religious teachings are reduced to political statements or used to justify discrimination, they deviate from their spiritual intent. The real connection between spirituality and physicality involves recognizing and honoring one’s role in the divine plan. Being part of any religious or social group is acceptable as long as it does not conflict with spiritual fulfillment.
If one is continually taught to feel irrelevant or insignificant, it impairs their ability to embrace their role as the central character in the divine narrative. This teaches us that our self-worth and spiritual contribution are essential, regardless of political or social group affiliations. Spirituality and politics are distinct: spirituality is about truth, while politics often distorts truth for group interests. To truly understand the divine, one must become the CEO of their own life, navigating beyond political influences to embrace their spiritual essence. This approach ensures that spirituality remains at the forefront, even within the context of group identities.
Remember, politics and spirituality are not compatible. The latter represents the truth, while the former twists and turns it to serve group interests. Understanding your authority and role in the spiritual picture is crucial for genuine spiritual satisfaction. Although one can belong to a group, the focus should remain on the spiritual journey rather than the politics of belonging. Our primary responsibility is to translate spirituality into physical actions, honoring the divine by being true to our spiritual essence.
Regardless of the abilities that God might possess, their value or importance becomes questionable if all human beings were gone. On the other hand, if we as human beings do not understand ourselves, we end up living like ordinary creatures, displaying certain animal traits despite our civilization and evolution. As individuals, we must grasp self-regulation and discipline to truly be human. Religions have attempted to use a carrot-and-stick approach, but it has not been entirely effective, as our societies are still plagued by various crimes. Personal regulation is inherently individual, and while authority figures may enforce control, that control often collapses when the authority is absent. The fear of God falls into the same category. Remember, God does not speak directly; if God does not influence one’s behavior, people may commit crimes. Thus, understanding spirituality and the reciprocal nature of personal growth is crucial for individuals.
Our life troubles arise when we stray and allow our untamed, animalistic traits to overshadow our spiritual side. In both the animal kingdom and urban environments, domination is a common theme. From personal relationships to business dealings and even religious practices, this struggle for dominance is ongoing. While our behaviors are evolving, our animal traits still need to be addressed. If this concept confuses you, it is essential to learn how to respect and balance these urges to remain spiritually aware. Otherwise, there is a significant risk of spending a lifetime in confusion. Dominating others for personal gain has been a persistent problem, leading to not only individual issues but also wars. Our political and collective behaviors often overshadow our personal sense of justice, resulting in both personal suffering and ongoing cycles of revenge and conflict.
Understanding our animalistic side can shed light on why we have urges to dominate others. As we become more aware of our sense of injustice—especially when attacking other groups—we can begin to understand the consequences of these actions. Life can become less complicated if we choose to live as spiritually aware beings. This understanding has the potential to foster peace both within ourselves and collectively.
A personal sense of justice is not difficult to grasp if you follow two simple rules of spirituality. First, do not do to others what you would not want done to you or your loved ones. Second, walk a mile in another person’s shoes to understand how they are similar to you.
When politics infiltrates spiritual systems like religions, it leads to excuses for dominating others. From looting and degrading to committing spiritual crimes in the name of religion, these actions contradict the teachings that claim to promote spirituality. The evidence is visible in past and present conflicts, and it is crucial to hope that this trend does not continue into the future. If we remain within our chosen groups, our politics will perpetuate behaviors that have lasted for millennia. It is only when we evolve to become responsible individuals—embracing a shared humanity—that we can overcome our past, animal-like behaviors. The key difference between humans and other animals lies in our inhibitions. If you let your animal side take over due to substances or emotions, you will allow it to dominate your actions, regardless of your level of education. Education was meant to signify our evolution and civilization, but despite our progress, we still struggle to address our animalistic traits, hindering our spiritual growth and compassion.
I believe that the politics of group belonging have significantly damaged our personal spirituality. It is time to extricate politics from our sense of belonging and appreciate the true essence of being human. Spirituality connects us individually to God and humanity as a whole. Regardless of religion, if we prioritize personal spirituality, humanity can unite. Otherwise, the politics of group belonging will keep us confined to our ancestral divisions.
If we learn to treat each other as instruments of God’s work, we can overcome differences and unite. If religions remove their politics of group exclusivity, the doors of spirituality will open for them; otherwise, they risk losing credibility. Many nations and religions preach that their members are superior to others, based solely on group affiliation. This kind of teaching fosters false self-esteem, prejudice, and ignorance. Regardless of education levels, people may stand against human rights and commit injustices in the name of their group.
Humanity, equal individual rights, and justice for all are far more important than any religious rule, tradition, or ritual because they are rooted in spirituality. If you can transcend religious and national boundaries, respecting each individual as God’s working hand, you will find spirituality. If enough people adopt this perspective, humanity will collectively find spirituality. Equal human rights are the gateway to this path, while the politics of group belonging act as a barrier. Without change, politics will perpetuate old behaviors. Consider the dangers of mass destruction weapons: politics combined with religious fervor can be deadly for both humanity and the existence of God. To be truly spiritual, we must respect each other’s rights, rather than following religious traditions blindly. We need to separate politics from our religious beliefs to benefit from having a religious faith.
There is no room for injustice in spirituality. A group cannot violate even one individual’s human rights. This is why the spiritual side of religion has been compromised. To govern a mass of individuals, a successful political system is required. Therefore, keeping our belief systems free of politics helps individuals remain spiritual. In reality, governing systems cannot be foolproof; there will always be some form of selection. Thus, our justice systems should be free from political influence, with spirituality as their foundation. A justice system that allows individuals to challenge the state and win is effective because it prevents the mass from overshadowing personal rights. The purpose of a justice system is to support the weak, and if the weakest can win against the strongest, it reflects true spiritual justice. Conversely, if religion or justice systems are tainted by politics, they fail.
If you approach today’s social systems with a mindset of political domination, you are likely heading for trouble. We no longer live in primitive conditions where security was different. Today, we have entrusted power to governing systems. While individual security remains important, the nature of security systems has changed. Governments or religious authorities, often questioned, may not always work for individual benefit. Historically, politics has favored the mass over the individual, resulting in injustices where individuals suffer. As the essence of humanity, individuals deserve respect and justice. No one should be above the law, not even governing authorities or religions.
Being mortal makes it crucial to be responsible for our happiness. Relying on authoritative systems has not provided the security, happiness, and contentment we seek. Increased weaponry, wars, and related problems like death, depression, and anxiety have become more common. When expectations are unmet, personal weaknesses become more pronounced. The absence of a belief system and personal weakness relate to understanding personal value. As human beings, we work directly with God, not for Him or our groups, but as equals. This places us on an equal footing as subcontractors, not servants. If you fulfill your responsibilities honestly—as a partner, family member, community member, or in your spiritual reciprocity—you will experience less stress, greater self-respect, and self-esteem. Comfort in your mortal existence is closely linked to your personal input and sense of justice.
If you receive free oxygen and live in good health, your gratitude should not be limited to once a year. Your ability to live is not within your control, nor is it controlled by your family, community, nation, or religion. It is directly connected to the source, or God. Navigating the external chaos of the world and the internal chaos of existence is complex. While you have a say, the alignment of complexities for you personally is evident. If you still believe you are functioning solely on your own will, just look around and see how vulnerable a mortal being can be.
When you are taught or you believe that everything happening in your life is solely your own doing, you might be missing out on a crucial aspect of personal justice. Understanding this requires educating yourself to avoid situations that could lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. It undermines the importance of the most vital aspect of your life: your individual happiness. This often turns many of us into mere puppets or slaves to our groups, making us feel weak, fragile, and insignificant. We are mortal, and this reality means that our temporary lives should be lived fearlessly, cherishing every happy moment. If anything requires you to sacrifice your happiness, especially if it comes from your groups, it should be examined and judged through your personal sense of justice.
By no means am I advocating for selfishness. I am simply acknowledging the fact of mortality, which calls for spirituality more than our political religions. No one should shirk personal responsibility and hide behind the politics of group dynamics, like God and the Devil. When individuals fail to question their groups, those groups become too powerful to challenge. The story of an unfulfilled life due to personal weakness begins when you do not take charge of your own destiny. Do you really have a say? If you ask yourself this question in the dead of night, the answer will point you to your God-given free will.
There are two things common to all human beings, regardless of differences: oxygen and free will. Ask yourself, do you appreciate them? If not, do you believe you are the human being God intended you to be? Since you are not programmed to be a weak puppet or a slave to your groups or even to God, how can you allow it to happen? Go back and align yourself with spiritual principles to help translate spirituality into physical actions with the understanding that even the CEO is essentially a subcontractor. Recognize the power of group politics but also strive to be the CEO of your own mortal life. This approach will not only bring spiritual fulfillment but also enhance your self-esteem, self-respect, significance, relevance, and deep contentment in being an instrument of God’s will.
Equal human rights, civil achievements, racial and sexual justice, and national and religious freedoms all relate to humanity’s progression toward its potential. Although hurdles like religious extremism and racial superiority still exist, we are making progress step by step. Despite setbacks, there is a net gain today as people around the world advocate for equal human rights. Issues like human sacrifice, violence against homosexuals, racism, slavery, and various forms of prejudice are improving, though not fast enough. This slow progress is due to the politics of belonging to groups. While we are evolving and progressing in many areas, our religions, racism, and nationalism often remain entrenched in outdated politics of belonging. Overcoming this would enable us to advance rapidly and unite as humanity.
Unfortunately, every achievement has been accompanied by the loss of human lives, as progress often meets strong resistance from those unwilling to change. History teaches us that to achieve something, we must fight for it. Even when progress benefits humanity, we still struggle against conservative forces. Despite our ability to discuss and debate, we often ignore or fail to acknowledge our incomplete knowledge. We have experienced kingdoms, empires, communism, socialism, and now democracy, yet we still grapple with kingdoms and authoritarianism. We have not fully shed our ancestral knowledge, even when proven wrong. As human beings, we are not only taught to believe that our ancestors cannot be wrong, but we are also expected to protect their traditions, customs, rituals, and rules. This education emphasizes loyalty to our groups, which is why even in this era of equal human rights, we still face racism, prejudice, and religious conflicts. For humanity, change has never been easy; reaching our potential or evolving requires peeling away layers of personal and collective insecurities. Our politics of belonging to a particular family, gang, community, nation, or religion have been our downfall. While we are born into humanity, our politically influenced education of belonging teaches us otherwise. If we learn to belong to humanity, we will see that humanity transcends all political divisions.
Individually, we need to become evolved spiritual entities who can translate spiritual thoughts into physical actions. With our evolution and understanding of civilization, we should be able to debate and discuss changes peacefully, but we are far from achieving this. Our ongoing political and religious disputes and wars are evidence of this. Unfortunately, we cannot continue in this manner. On one hand, we have evolved with nuclear weaponry; on the other, we have not evolved spiritually. A politically influenced human with animalistic urges and access to nuclear weapons is a dangerous combination. Our evolution is imbalanced; while we continuously undermine each other’s knowledge, we carry forward ancestral disputes. Despite our civilization and evolution, we still struggle to engage in civilized discussion and debate.
Achieving balance is challenging, even on an individual level, let alone collectively. Our disputes are largely products of the politics of belonging. Social changes and everything in between have been influenced by the politics of belonging. We are accustomed to changes imposed from the top down. As those in power spend money and use influence to maintain control, individuals have historically been weaker participants. However, today belongs to an era of democracy and equal human rights. Individuals are being educated to be CEOs who understand and navigate the politics of power. These changes will shift from the bottom up, allowing for debate and discussion so that decisions are not made by a few with vested political and personal interests. How will future changes be shaped by individual awareness? Where will it lead humanity? Will we revert to old patterns or address ancestral differences and disputes? Can we evolve from our current level of civilization? Our potential remains in flux as we continue to evolve. One thing is certain: in the business of reciprocation, we all must contribute equally to achieve health, happiness, and success. Remember, if you are not healthy, you cannot be happy, and without health and happiness, meaningful success—whether individual or collective—is unattainable.