While it may seem like I’m criticizing religions, I actually have nothing against their spiritual aspects. My concern arises when ethics and morals morph into strict rules and the politics of belonging overshadow spirituality. This not only distorts the essence of religion but also leads ordinary individuals to commit spiritual transgressions in the name of God. I believe belief systems like religions should serve to help individuals find inner peace amidst personal turmoil. The need for such belief systems has, does, and will always exist because they provide hope and positivity, rooted in their spiritual aspects.
However, the political dimension of religions bears responsibility for countless atrocities, deaths, and destruction inflicted upon innocent individuals throughout history and even in present times. While the wisdom imparted by religions can aid spiritual growth, when politically tainted, it can diminish human worth and value. Consequently, I am compelled to question the politics of not just one, but all religions. Nevertheless, knowledge is knowledge, and I’ve gleaned valuable insights from religion while growing up. One lesson I’ve learned is to heed good advice, even if it’s written on a quiet wall, as it may prove useful someday.
I attended Friday prayers at a mosque outside of my neighborhood, making a special effort to listen to one of the Mullahs, Molaana Ajmal, a religious figure with substance. I appreciated his logical explanations and teaching style, although I may have developed some disagreements with him over time. One day, he spoke about the adaptation of knowledge and its speed. I’ve since used his analogy to explain muscle building to my clients. Though I may not recall his exact words, the message remains clear, as I continue to reference it.
He said, and I quote, “Take a newspaper and try to put your finger through it without ripping the paper. If you attempt it, the paper will tear. But if you use a pin to make pinholes, then you can insert your finger without ripping the paper.” End quote.
The logic is clear: when knowledge is introduced gradually, not only do you understand it better, but you also retain it more effectively. We send children to school to learn, and schools employ grading systems to educate them. However, each individual absorbs and comprehends knowledge at their own pace.
In my current understanding, religion should focus solely on spirituality, free from the influence of politics and the sense of belonging. I believe that everything we do within religion should be optional, while actions related to spirituality should be considered our duty.
Today, humanity and spirituality have taken a back seat and have become optional aspects of life. Meanwhile, traditional prayers, once gatherings of people, have transformed into obligations. Personally, I believe that whenever people gather, politics inevitably become involved. Therefore, the importance of prayers should never outweigh practical assistance to those in need in real life.
Conforming to a subservient individual requires one thing for sure: brainwashing. If the individual feels insecure from within and is far from being a CEO of their own life, then incorporating religious teachings into their life can be challenging. Religions have been given the power to override self-love and even the love for one’s offspring, as they are strongly tied to the sense of belonging to a group beyond the immediate family. In reality, an intense and uncontrolled sense of belonging can exacerbate personal insecurities. These insecurities can further distance the individual from God and spirituality, leading them to commit spiritual crimes for the sake of belonging to certain groups. However, belief in God and spirituality should ideally help overcome these individual shortcomings.
Today, the core messages of religions, such as humanity and spirituality, have been pushed to the bottom of the priority list. Only by stepping outside the sense of belonging can one truly see the damage inflicted upon individuals by human politics.
The ordinary man is drifting away from God and spirituality because even the real messages of God have been obscured by the politics of belonging to a group. Mixing the politics of belonging groups with religions or even with God has led us astray.
I feel it’s my responsibility to explain that it’s time for all of us to become CEOs of our lives. We need to learn to separate the sense of belonging and its politics from our religions because religions should not be tainted by the politics of belonging groups if they are to lead us to true spirituality and God. God and spirituality are meant for the entire humanity, not just for select groups.
Decency is only taught through spiritual teachings, and humanity can help us, individually and collectively, to coexist with each other despite differences in race, group, nationality, or religion. Personal spirituality is what enables us to transcend our personal prejudices. If each of us takes spirituality to the point where we make our decisions spiritually, then it becomes clear why God had to write more than one book. Our journey toward our full potential requires us to delve deeper and reach for the heights in the ways that God has intended for us as human beings.
Now is the time to decide to step out of our comfort zones and critically examine our individual actions. If they are influenced by the out-of-control politics of belonging, then individuals should start taking personal responsibility to become CEOs of their own lives.
The sense of belonging and group politics have tainted all religions to the point where an ordinary individual can’t discern the politics behind the rules and actions of religions and is unable to separate religion from politics or spirituality. Although God may have taken responsibility for providing oxygen, the politics of insecure humans still manage to interfere with even the basics of life.
There is a certain wisdom of common sense inherent in every human, and sometimes, this wisdom can be utilized by the wise. I watched a movie a long time ago, so I don’t remember the title; hence, I would credit it to “author unknown.”
In the movie, Buddha was meditating on the bank of a river for a long time, to the point of starvation, yet determined to continue his quest. Since spiritual quests are harder to attain and manifest in physical life without the physical body, he was enduring physical suffering, making it difficult to carry on.
One day, two men passed by in a boat. One was playing music, and the other was rowing. The musician paused the music and said to the rower, “If you tighten it too much, it will snap on you, but if you don’t tighten enough, it won’t play the music.” He was referring to the cords, but the message was clear, and Buddha understood the wisdom. This wisdom can be applied not only to serious issues like Buddha’s quest but also to all aspects of our lives as ordinary human beings.
Looking at history, we find that extraordinary knowledge has also come from ordinary human beings. This knowledge isn’t exclusive to prophets, and it extends beyond religious boundaries. Scientific, mathematical, and medical discoveries made by ordinary men and women have helped humanity to the extent that we can’t quantify how many lives have been saved by them. Only extraordinary knowledge can transform an ordinary human being into an extraordinary one. This process is ongoing and will continue until we reach our potential. There will always be differences of opinions and the passion that leads us to claim that we are right.
Today, every religion and their denominations have a book, just as every nation has a constitution. This results in a multitude of texts and a diverse array of human societies. All religions, denominations, socialism, communism, and even democracies are promoted as solutions to everything. There are numerous systems created by humans, and more than one text from God is available for us to compare and follow. Having a passionate opinion about any one system, whether in favor or against it, and the inability to amend all religious books implies that humans are not evolving organisms and should adhere to rules written thousands of years ago.
History demonstrates it, science confirms it, and even an ordinary human being can see and understand it—the age-old nature of evolution. Personally, I disagree with rules carved in stone because human beings are evolving organisms, as is our knowledge. Therefore, our past rules need amendments in all texts, whether they be constitutions or religions.
I believe that all human knowledge should serve the convenience of humanity, as it is essential for peace as we progress and evolve. Unfortunately, human input is often driven by emotional and passionate politics of belonging. If it’s all about control and politics, it should stay out of individuals’ spirituality and not have the power to alter anyone’s personal and direct connection to God.
No one should be coerced into believing anything that isn’t concrete or scientifically proven, especially when it comes to knowledge about life before and after death, given that as evolving beings, nothing is concrete for us. These days, Canadian Natives have been asking the Pope to apologize for the wrongs done to them in the name of God or religion. Whatever was done to them resulted from the politics of spreading religion by recruiting them to Christianity. Anything forced, even if it’s religion, constitutes a spiritual crime. An apology may not suffice because I believe every individual should know what’s wrong by following a simple rule of thumb: treat others as you’d like to be treated.
When striving to ascend higher on the ladder of society and encountering hurdles, one often feels the need for God. Human beings are inherently inclined towards reaching their potential, leading to a perpetual dissatisfaction with life’s successes and blessings. This perception likens life to a mountain that must be collectively climbed, as individuals inevitably run out of time.
As of today, we have progressed less than a quarter of the way to the peak of this metaphorical mountain. It’s due to our innate drive to climb and pursue our potential that practices like the sacrifice of virgins for God have ceased. However, many religions still urge us to work against our genetic predispositions. Two possibilities arise: either religions aim to slow down our climb to ensure steady progress without tearing apart our adaptability, or they are authoritarian, fear-based political systems driven by a hunger for power, even employing God as a political tool through fear tactics.
When you aspire to ascend higher on the ladder of society and encounter obstacles, you may feel the need for God. Since humanity’s journey to its potential is intrinsic and unavoidable, we can never fully satisfy ourselves with life’s accomplishments and blessings. This perspective leads us to view life as a mountain that must be collectively climbed, as individuals inevitably face limited time.
Currently, our progress stands at less than a quarter of the way to the peak of this metaphorical mountain. This is because of our inherent drive to climb and pursue our potential, which led to the cessation of practices like the sacrifice of virgins for God. However, many religions still urge us to go against our genetic predispositions. Two possibilities emerge: either religions aim to slow down our climb to ensure gradual progress without compromising adaptability, or they are authoritarian, fear-based political systems driven by a thirst for power, even using God as a political tool through the fear of divine retribution.
My personal logic suggests that God created mankind with evolutionary potential, thus we should follow that trajectory. Therefore, fearing God would contradict God’s will. You can opt to embrace progress and challenge strict religious doctrines, or you can remain stagnant, denying yourself and future generations the benefits of evolving human intellect. You cannot selectively benefit from the advancements made by liberals while adhering strictly to conservative principles.
When group politics infiltrates a religion, it’s driven by human insecurities, not divine will. True belief in God precludes fear of the future, as the belief system is intended to inspire optimism and fearlessness. God endowed humans with evolutionary potential, implying that individuals possess personal spirituality and a direct connection with God. While this concept may not resonate with weaker individuals, a CEO would grasp its significance.
Religions, as groups, prioritize their own interests over their fundamental messages of humanity and spirituality. They have consistently failed to distinguish between the spirituality of religions and the politics associated with them. Tolerance and acceptance have been absent from the outset. Organized religions have always been tainted by the politics of group allegiance, depriving other groups of love in the name of God.
The sense of belonging can be perilous if misunderstood. True belonging encompasses all of humanity, one individual at a time, rather than favoring a specific group. No one can assert special connection to God deserving of preferential treatment, such as guaranteed entry to heaven.
Killing one’s daughter for not adhering to religious rules has nothing to do with faith, God, spirituality, or even the religion itself. It stems from surrendering to the powerful sense of belonging and rejecting the CEO status bestowed by God. Behind such actions lies the overwhelming influence of group allegiance. Egotistical behavior is linked to community acceptance, often prioritized over love and parental responsibilities. It’s crucial to introspect and recognize these feelings as byproducts of an unchecked sense of belonging.
Remember, people have a place in your life but not a say, as you possess free will granted by God. No religion or ideology can take that away from you, though they may attempt to. It is your right to exercise this free will to ensure justice for all, including your daughter and yourself.
When I left Pakistan, I aimed to understand the actions of extremists and my encounters with them. As I cultivated a habit of analyzing and identifying the root causes of issues, I realized that the influence of group politics on individual actions is widespread across all cultures, nations, and religions.
It is not my intention to question anyone’s faith or beliefs. Rather, my purpose in writing all this is to advocate for individuals to embrace the potential that God truly intended for us. We should have the courage to reject violence and the extremes of group politics that have overshadowed our belief systems. Now, more than ever in human history, we must strive for the fundamental principles of religions: compassion, forgiveness, sacrifice, love, and altruism for all humanity in the name of God and spirituality.
Obeying God isn’t solely about adhering to what’s written in the Holy books. Discovering and pursuing our inherent potential is the true obedience to God because the purpose of creation is to witness it functioning at its highest level, not confined like seeds in a jar.
Reaching the level that God intended for us demands relentless pursuit—sometimes obeying, sometimes disobeying, and sometimes outright rejecting God’s existence altogether. As evolving organisms, we will experience many rights and wrongs before finding our way.
At our peak potential, we become mighty creatures, making God even more almighty. Contrary to popular belief, becoming powerful doesn’t render God unnecessary. Any human who denies or diminishes God is influenced by ego, which stems from the sense of belonging. Trying to fit in, seeking acceptance, or wanting admiration all stem from this strong sense of belonging. Even those who openly deny God’s existence often harbor doubts deep inside, aware of their incomplete knowledge and personal vulnerabilities.
Being a breath away from death should keep us humble, yet we often forget our vulnerability, taking pride in our actions and achievements as solely our own. However, everything we do is preceded by the intake of oxygen, over which we have no control. Just as we lack control over what happens in outer space, we also lack control over our inner space. Life isn’t sustained by the individual alone; it’s far more complex than what’s inside or out there, and it’s not merely a matter of chance. It’s about our ability to comprehend what distinguishes God from humanity.
Understanding self-worth and potential is key.
If you perceive yourself as a tiny seed, capable of fitting millions in a jar or a small room, you might develop an inferiority complex. However, if you envision yourself potentially as a towering tree, even as a seed, the room appears smaller, confidence grows, and even God assists in creating more space for you as an individual.
Similar to a small seed that, under the right conditions, can grow into a majestic tree producing billions or trillions of seeds itself, humans have the potential to reach the heights intended by God. The higher ordinary humans climb, the closer we come to our Godly potential. Even one Godly individual can aid the community’s evolution. Ideally, as more people evolve towards wisdom, the community should function better as a result.
Human traits like bravery, honesty, and selflessness are admired when expressed by individuals, even in non-religious societies. However, organized religions often become tainted with group politics, leading to destructive tendencies. While these traits are discussed in religious societies, politics often overpowers the Godly messages. Individuals are often viewed as small seeds and discouraged or denied the potential within them. In many religious societies, female liberation is inhibited. Forced social control with strict rules and harsh punishments is accepted by the general population. Recently, Indonesia even denounced Valentine’s Day for its population.
Regardless of the discouragements by the authorities, it is the individual who comes up with the ideas of human advancements. These individuals do not think of themselves as just seeds. Whether they are a Prophet, an inventor, or a conqueror, the individual human has always been the backbone of all the advancements of the human community.
Today’s politically related religious wars and education systems of different schools of thought have led human beings to the highest level of insecurity. The sense of belonging to certain groups has come to the forefront, while individual and human rights are taking a back seat.
Only when we are not victims of personal insecurities can we stand up and talk about the sense of freedom, knowing that we can be punished for this act. These days, even advanced human societies are choosing extremes to fulfill the political needs of belonging groups. People who have been exposed to freedom find it hard to sacrifice their freedom for a sense of belonging. The sense of belonging has several faces but one cause. As an individual, digging deeper and asking yourself questions will eventually lead you to personal insecurities and a weaker spiritual belief system.
God has blessed us all equally with the ability to benefit from believing in God. As CEOs, it is our responsibility to choose the things that can help us live a happy and content life. However, we often fear death so much that we hate being mortal. This fear leads us to take the enjoyment out of our present day, worrying about future outcomes. It’s important to recognize that life is never going to be completely secure and controlled for us, so striving for such security and control is flawed.
We hold loyalties to various entities such as family, friends, community, country, religion, or causes we value. When insecurities related to these loyalties call for sacrifice, we often act without hesitation or questioning because we anticipate praise and appreciation.
But why do we place so much value on being accepted, admired, or appreciated by our belonging community? This is a question each of us should ask ourselves. We need to explore and understand this natural phenomenon and why we seem to fall for it as if we are hypnotized. Do we have the ability to break free from these influences and think beyond the sense of belonging?
Certainly, God created humans to function independently, yet politically tainted social influences often rob individuals of their independence. The CEO ability given to us by God is undervalued by humans themselves due to systematized education. While reading knowledge from a book is valuable, recognizing that you have the ability to write the book yourself aligns with your potential. If we start to think about our incomplete knowledge, we realize the need for new knowledge should be humanity’s destiny. Denying ourselves the search for new knowledge goes against God’s will.
God created us all with the right combination of ingredients, and we all have the potential to be valuable majestic trees in the human jungle. We benefit from being in the jungle, yet we are also beneficial to the jungle.
I believe that humans benefit from the oxygen provided by God, and God benefits from the human’s physical input. Spirituality alone is useless without the physicality of life. Group politics may change as we evolve, but at this time, we are being harmed by it. Should we continue to follow our flawed education system? Or should we critically examine it, taking on the role of a CEO who can recognize the sense of belonging hidden behind individuals’ insecurities and related ego?
It’s up to each and every one of us to contribute to humanity and make a difference with the findings of our lives and personal experiences. We all have the potential to be God’s messengers, even as ordinary human beings. All prophets have been blessed with knowledge to teach spirituality to humanity and help people live better lives. We have an innate ability to learn, make advancements, and understand that continuous growth is essential to living better lives.
Advancements in all areas of life require a continuous desire to improve. Extraordinary knowledge has always been available, but so has our stubborn sense of belonging and egotistic attitude. Therefore, choosing the right path has never been an easy task.
We are able to make our lives easier through inventions and technology, reducing the need for hard physical work. So why can’t we apply the same effort to understand the concepts of belonging, religious boundaries, and nationalism? Our journey toward self-improvement is ongoing and must be pursued in all aspects of life simultaneously. This is why humans were created as evolving organisms, so we can achieve the potential intended for us by God. Our innate drive to evolve is a sacred wisdom, and we are still a work in progress. Until we reach our potential, it is our responsibility to strive for it, with or without religion.
Like prophets, everyone contributes to making humanity better than before. However, the intention behind our actions matters. A doctor who practices solely for money and fame is just a doctor, but one who aims to make a difference regardless of personal gain is a healer and holds a higher spiritual status.
It’s important to respect anyone doing God’s work, whether they are ordinary individuals or God’s prophets. They are all part of our journey toward improvement. If we are still plagued by violence and conflict, we must strive to be better than this. Merely following a particular religion will not lead us there; we must transcend the sense of belonging and take on the role of a CEO as individuals.
Our understanding of right and wrong evolves with our knowledge, indicating that there is no absolute right or wrong as we progress. We used to engage in practices like throwing virgins off cliffs, burning widows alive with their deceased husbands, enslaving others, burning witches, and persecuting homosexuals. However, human societies have evolved significantly. Progress is driven by individual thinkers who challenge conventional wisdom in all areas of life, fostering discussion and growth.
God is not akin to a human, no matter how similar or closely related we may be, just as a seed and a tree are not identical but bear similarities. We cannot attribute human thoughts, actions, or feelings to God. While we engage in politics in various aspects of our lives, God represents the ultimate truth, devoid of any human influence or politics. Our understanding may evolve as we explore, but the truth of God remains untouched by human affairs. The real challenge lies in human evolution; we have yet to fully comprehend God because we are unable to access our full brain power.
The journey to understanding God is and should be an ongoing quest. Simultaneously, we must tend to our everyday responsibilities and ensure our basic survival. As CEOs of our lives, we must balance our innate nature with the demands of daily living.
It’s convenient to attribute everything to God or the Devil and shirk our responsibilities, influenced by the smart politics taught by our governing systems. By elevating God and the Devil as central figures, controlling religions have diminished the significance of the individual, leading to low self-esteem and easier manipulation. Today, as individuals, we find ourselves grappling with our personal growth. As we mature, we realize that we cannot be dictated to by governing systems. To maintain inner peace and justice in all aspects of our lives, including ourselves, we must become CEOs of our own existence.
It has always been human beings who reach for power and control, often invoking the names of God and the Devil for political purposes. The general population tends to align with whatever makes sense at a given time, but as we ascend the ladder of potential, our perspectives shift. Today, the movement for equal human rights is sweeping the globe, challenging conservative religious societies and causing inner turmoil.
The carrot and stick approach has long been a teaching tool in human civilization, extensively utilized by religions. However, as we evolve, we come to realize that it’s merely a strategy for control. While it may have its utility, the truth remains unchanged. Bringing God’s or the Devil’s name into politics is still politics. When used in a spiritual context, God’s name represents truth, but our perception of truth evolves as we grow intellectually. What we perceive as truth in our current state may not align with divine truth, making violence over religious beliefs unjustifiable.
Relying on fear-based or greed-based politics is not in accordance with God’s will. Even if we attribute human-like traits to God, it doesn’t justify involving God in human politics. For the sake of human evolution, God remains silent even as we tarnish His name. Individually, we need God’s presence to alleviate sorrows and instill hope, but an excessive focus on God can impede our evolutionary journey.
Controlling society through laws is one thing, but invoking God’s words for control is another. God has no need for security or control. While pride and bravery are valued in all societies, a CEO embodies much more. Unlike warrior ants or worker bees, humans possess a capacity for continuously evolving knowledge. We are more than just instinct-driven beings; we are self-adjusting decision-makers capable of overpowering our animal instincts. However, we still rely on these instincts in our daily lives. It’s not a matter of choosing one over the other but seeking balance between our sense of belonging and freedom. This balance teaches us how to navigate ego, pride, revenge, self-sacrifice, and bravery.
God is immortal and spiritual; there is nothing quite like a human, yet humans often attempt to humanize God. If you examine human cells, they do not resemble humans. While we are complete working organisms, we are also the cells of God, each carrying a fragment of God within us, much like how our cells carry the DNA of the organism they belong to.
Religion serves as an educational system for us, but we must prioritize accordingly. Knowledge is a system of life implanted in people’s brains, and no knowledge surpasses the value of the individual themselves. The life of an innocent holds far greater worth than all religions combined, as all religions advocate for justice. The significance of religion lies in the individual’s need for spirituality and connection to humanity. Humanity is primarily embodied in the individual, as each individual is a cell of humanity.
Every day, cells within the body perish. While this may appear insignificant, the importance of each cell is paramount. The body’s survival hinges on the health of its cells, just as the cells rely on the body’s flawless functioning. Disregarding human life and perpetuating violence is not collateral damage; it has the potential to erode trust and belief systems.
I disagree with those who delve into the past to glorify their own religion or clan, or to vilify others’ religions. In our journey of evolution, we have been proven right and wrong about many aspects of life. Yet, we still cling to past narratives, fostering hatred and even committing violence over them. While some may deem it crucial to preserve these stories, I argue that it is even more vital to rectify today’s narrative, ensuring a future where children cease to harm one another.
Humans have long been entangled in the politics of belonging groups. It’s time for humans to take the next step and focus on the present, to rise to the responsibilities of a CEO. We may harbor differences as individuals, within gangs, countries, religions, or even factions within religions. However, as individuals, it is imperative to stand up as CEOs, placing everything into perspective. Understanding the demands of today’s humanity, even if it means rejecting the demands of one’s own group, is paramount.
Humanity stands as the most critical aspect of spirituality, which transcends religious boundaries. While religions have enlightened us about spirituality and humanity, they are now tainted by group politics and cannot lead us out of our current dilemmas. Thus, it is time for us to prioritize humanity and spirituality over group politics, the sense of belonging, and personal vendettas. Though difficult, it is achievable by elevating ourselves to the status that God initially bestowed upon us. Yes, we are eternal CEOs; let us not demote ourselves.
God has blessed humans with free will, making each individual the CEO of their personal empire, a power worth five spiritual dollars (read: five bucks). This divine authority is significant for individuals, provided they steer clear of group politics. Through politics, we’re conditioned to believe that our individual worth is negligible without the group, rendering us personally feeble and reliant on the collective like sheep, regardless of moral integrity. However, each of us possesses the potential to be a CEO who can discern right from wrong and act accordingly. A deeper belief and personal connection to God can liberate individuals from the inferiority complex imposed by group affiliations and religions.
Humans are not merely slaves to genetics; we are complex organisms imbued with divine power, influenced by various forms of knowledge, from spirituality to conflicting impulses such as the sense of belonging and the sense of freedom, to the authoritative CEO capable of overriding these influences.
Many religions draw upon past narratives, continuously referencing historical precedents. Yet, relying solely on antiquated rules to address contemporary issues is bound to fail. From issues like slavery to human sacrifice to homosexuality, religions have failed to address injustices adequately. It’s untenable to turn a blind eye to present-day human rights violations, hoping they will resolve themselves.
No individual should wield the power to justify killing based on factors like race, sexual orientation, nationality, or religion, especially when their understanding of genetics or personal choice is limited. Religions have taught us about tolerance and extremism simultaneously, promoting conflicting senses of belonging and freedom while discouraging individual empowerment.
These contradictions can befuddle even the most educated individuals. Today, highly evolved humans with nuclear capabilities find themselves torn apart, struggling to disentangle spirituality from group politics. When individuals assume the role of a CEO, they recognize that humanity thrives on spirituality alone, untouched by politics, belonging, freedom, land disputes, national pride, personal ego, or vendettas.
Solving our problems through spirituality entails transcending the limitations of religions, isms, and democracy. We’ve yet to succeed because we’re preoccupied with self-interest rather than collective well-being. When we shift our focus to serving others, akin to the joint efforts that contained Ebola or built the space station, transformative change will occur.
Religion is a societal chip planted by parents and communities to foster diversity. However, nurturing this diversity encourages competition, which drives individuals to excel and evolve. Reaching our potential is a shared quest and responsibility. Yet, fostering excessive competition can be destructive. How can we expect peaceful, evolved beings to emerge from seeds of prejudice sown in every individual, group, nation, culture, and religion?
We must infuse spirituality back into our religions and relegate politics to our governing systems. Individuals should determine where religion fits in their lives, whether as a duty or an option, a political system, or a spiritual path to inner peace. Should one live as a sheep or a CEO? This question merits personal reflection. If one seeks to secure a place in heaven, remember, God cannot be bribed, and committing spiritual crimes in the name of God is not only political but downright criminal.