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Manu Joseph became a journalist because he didn’t have to crack any objective-type entrance exam to be one. His first novel, Serious Men, is the winner of The Hindu Best Fiction Award. It is one of Huffington Post’s 10 Best Books of 2010, and was shortlisted for the Man Asian Literary Prize 2010. He is the editor of Open. EMAIL AUTHOR |
There are no atheists in Pakistan’s newly disgraced cricket team. I cannot substantiate the hypothesis, but I would bet all my money on it. In fact, in recent times, the nation’s cricket team has gained a reputation for being excessively religious. Its players have knelt on the cricket field and looked in the general direction of Mecca. They have glanced to their left and to their right in a manner recommended by an authority clearly higher than a physiotherapist. They have grown beards and observed fasts in the middle of a tournament. One of the conspiracy theories that tried to explain the mysterious death of their former coach Bob Woolmer during the World Cup in the West Indies was that the man had paid the price for objecting to the deeply religious ways of his boys. Yet, despite the spiritual nature of Pakistan’s cricket teams, nobody is very surprised that some members of its current squad now stand exposed beyond any dispute for colluding with a bookie. The truth is that the general populations of several cricket-playing nations have for long believed that Pakistani players are shady.
The perception is only a version of the general view, especially in India, that there is something about Muslims that makes it easier for them to indulge in criminal activities. It is a view that you will not find coming out of the mouths of respectable people (at least when they are in public view) or in mainstream publications. But we know that the perception is there in the minds of ordinary people across the world. A common reasoning given to elevate this perception to truth is that since Islam is a universal brotherhood and it clearly puts religion above country, Muslims have a low regard for the laws of man. The counterview, usually belonging to sophisticated people, is that such generalisations are moronic and dangerous—some rotten Muslims do not represent the minds of all Muslims. But most people discreetly or overtly believe that the mathematical probability of a Muslim breaking the law is higher.
A few years ago, I felt what it was to be a Muslim in India when I went around south Bombay pretending to be one highly educated Mohammed Khan looking for paying guest accommodation. Brokers would not return calls, some who did would choose not to turn up for the appointment. Friendly English-speaking landlords would grow serious upon hearing my name. They would ask for ‘passport Xerox’ and reference letters, and then call up the broker to abuse him for bringing to them a Mohammed Khan. The common perception of Muslims is not a consequence of a deep understanding of the community, but of a deep hatred. It is plainly absurd. But there is a mangled truth in this sentiment.
God is the problem. Not just the Islamic God, but gods of all types. We give too much credit to God for our morality. In reality, we want to be good not because God invented it, but because it is a great idea. It is evolution’s best idea. Through the force of goodness, we took care of our own and that was how we survived down the ages. But with the invention of God, we have wasted our innate finite morality on useless things like our own mythical salvation and afterlife.
A religious person, having done his pilgrimage, having done his prayers and fasts, has no further motivation to be good in a way that is more useful to the rest of humanity.
That is why our politicians and businessmen who donate huge sums to temples (which usually store the funds in giant fixed deposits) have no qualms in being rogues when they step out of those temples. They have spent their goodness on themselves, and they have nothing left to give.
If you really think there is a connection between Islam and the nefarious mind, go to Shirdi. If you stand long enough in Shirdi, you will meet all the top criminals of India. Many of them will be in whites.
OLDER COMMENTS FIRST
16 COMMENTS
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"I cannot substantiate the hypothesis, but I would bet all my money on it."
Lol.
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I thought it would be a virulently anti-Islam article I could share on Facebook, going by the title and picture. Disappointing.
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I don't agree with a lot of what you write, but atleast you write it well. And that's more than you can say for most of indian print media.
Your articles are entertaining, albeit often bordering on one extreme end of an opinion. Understandable really, who wants to read 'almosts onf sort ofs' anyway.
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It's a nice article and great write. I would like you to refer this link, which came up in a local website, trivandrum
www.yentha.com/news/view/5/1308
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You've missed the point. The religions as we know them today are nothing more than institutions constructed by men in order to control other men. What we know as Hinduism today was a simple life philosophy in ancient times that involved meditation and yoga as its main practices. Jesus Christ's message was be kind to people, not head to the church every Sunday. Gautama said essentially the same thing. Religion as we know it today has little or no connection to the basic philosophies, the basic truths and messages: it is just a series of rites that we do, zombie-style. What makes this worse is that we simply pick up religions from our parents instead of figuring out what really has any meaning for us. And that is why religion has no bearing on morality. Your piece began at one point and digressed a lot. And never really does get to this.
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Religion has nothing to do with corruption. Its man's perception that if he does his religious duties then he is above the non-practicing and hence can follow his whims.
Islam does not condone corruption, on the contrary being pious means being an asset to mankind.
By growing a beard, doing sajdah each time you take 5 wickets does not make you a true muslim. Its what you do in private and how right is that, this is the judging criterion.
Yes being a muslim in India or anywhere is bad news. But that's how its always been. It was Christians in the Christ-era. the Jews in Hitler era and now in the modern age, its Muslims. Dont blame the religion, blame the ones who are wrong and yet have the audacity to say that they are doing so in the name of God.
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why do you assume that religious persons are more prone to commit crimes? It could be very well that criminals take to religion. when law is not your side, why not ask God to be on yours?
also, do something about the few lines you have written about yourself. they stink of cynicism and worse, sour grapes.
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There is no correlation between being devout and criminal.
There is no causation either, either way.
This is obvious and evident.
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in my view, problem is people dont understand the true nature of a religion. they think that just performing religious practices, giving huge donations is enough for a good afterlife. problem is with religion.
for me Islam is not a religion. its a DEEN, which means a complete system including sacramental part as well as secular part. it sets rules how a person should earn his money, how an economy should be, polity & society should be etc.
if pakistani players followed Islam as a deen not as a mere religion, they wouldnt have disgraced cricket.,
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Very true but I wonder where you got the balls to write all of the stuff you've written up there. You're well aware that muslims might be reading this too, aren't you?
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Interesting observations! Although it would be quite difficult to either prove or conclusively refute these assertions, your argument seems quite plausible and instinctively believable. After all you are just following in the footsteps of giants:
"With devotion's visage. And pious action we do sugar o'er. The devil himself." - William Shakespeare
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ike sum ppl hv said here, religion n corruption r not linked together. i believe tat the reason for them bein inclined towards it is that the way they practice their religion. they blindly follow wat they r told 2 do by their maulvis or qazis. it is carried on by the family members.d prob is the wrong interpretation of religion n poverty. d strict so called tradition is imposed on them which can make them want 2 break free or which can make them feel tat their religion is above all laws (lik u'v mentioned).
i dont know if u'v watched d film Khuda Ke Liye. plz watch it if u'v not. it'll giv u an idea of how Islam is a peaceful religion but ppl hv interpreted it in d wrong way 4m time 2 time. n muslims fall into this trap. they r told 2 hv more children to solve financial problems but things obv get worse. coz their misery they rigidly follow their religion. also they r mostly educated in madarsas esp those who r not well off. this jus adds 2 d problems. such misconceptions r there in other religions as well, but at least some portions of these religions hv changed wid time n education!!
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wow..its not just nefarious mind...when you talk of religious person..i have met people muslim/hindu,who dont want to do any hardship, unprofessional thugs, unusual caricature with mindset that god will get things done for them..
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in my opinion , i agree that being khan in not only in india but in other nations where khans come in minority is bit tough to live simple life there. and it doesn't need to explain it why they are treated like this . its just due to misdoing of their brothers.
Believing in god is good , to live n relish that positive energy which sooths your wounds and give your mind little bit of peace . But to worship that ,by doing some specific gestures and following some brilliant rules which was formed to sustain better life,but not to relate them with some specific religion was wrong in our past which our society did and as time passed people made institutions and beliefs ,they nurtured it and exploited them to that level where one with most bad/quiver habits correctly speaking who socially doing wrong with others, is disconnected today from society same as in one family if one person become criminal and come in wanted list of police ,family starts denying any relation with them. and thats what is happening .
making institutions and following its beliefs but putting it over country and it's apt to say over Humanity is Wrong .and as expected it is being stopped to support . thats what people are understanding and saying as unfair behavior.
there is line in one comment which i believe and like most
"The religions as we know them today are nothing more than institutions constructed by men in order to control other men."
it is exactly what people begin to realize . and it will be good that people learn it quickly. but i know even if 99% people learn it, but that 1% who don't want to understand it ,is enough to frighten and divide that 99% of community.
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Oh! My goodness. What an article!
The article is perfect in its description of:goodness, invention of God, relation between crimes and religion.
Belive it or not I really had the same views even before I read the article and had few followers.
Brilliant article. Keep writing.
Cheers from Bangalore.
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Extraordinarily perceptive. The more overt the religiosity of a person, the lesser his integrity.
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