Our Environmental Apathy
This morning on a certain FM radio station was a listener call-in discussion program and the topic was The Environment.
During the 10 minutes of the program that I heard 2 callers were put on air and both had basically the same opinion regarding the topic but one in particular caught my attention
All we need to do is be more pious, pray regularly and strengthen our commitment to God, he said. This, the environment, in its present condition is a sign from God, he said, that people were deviating from the true teachings of the religion. Scientists, he said, say a lot of big things but in the end it is God's will that ordains the nature of things. Science was, in effect, simply reporting. If our islands sink, he said quite proudly, it is because God wanted them to sink. Therefore, he said, he isn't worried about the environment and that he really wasn't worried about saving the environment as much as saving the society from falling out of religion and therefore God's favor.
The point being, the efforts of countless scientists, politicians, engineers and the average person is all but futile - the condition of the environment is a sign from God that we humans have strayed from his path.
There are several things that one can extrapolate from this. One, our general population is, as I had always feared, completely ignorant of the environmental effects on us and utterly uninformed about science in general. Two, that there has been an ominous relationship crafted, over decades of having been exposed to glorified religious propaganda thinly sprinkled with science (ala Quran aa Science etc), between science and religion, in which science is made to look like a mere causal side-effect, a sort of detailed observation, of divine creation. Both these are, in my opinion, dangerous beliefs.
On the one hand it creates apathy towards the environment by instilling the ideology that nature was "created" to serve man. Secondly, it pushes science into the realm of religion, quite unfairly, to be used solely as a tool that has no other purpose but to observe what God's work is, in their opinion. This is fine on the outset. That is, yes, science does explain observable, measurable and testable phenomena - whether the latter were natural or created by a "higher" being.
It is impossible to imagine that someone with this kind of mentality to ever appreciate or let alone realize the importance of the scientific breakthroughs of smallpox or polio vaccinations, for instance. Or that he would realize how science has extended our lifespan by not few years, but decades. Isn't this how science becomes not just a way to observe the supposed handiwork of God but also truly alter or intervene in the "great plan"?
It should be with the mission of truly enlightening the public that the next government must plan their approach toward education in the coming years. This education must come not just in schools but through popular media such as television and radio. Religion, religious mythology and centuries old tales have absolutely no scientific merit or value just as how mutation of viruses, chemical bonding or quantum theory have no religious value.
I do not think we would want to one day wake up, perhaps a decade from now, to hear someone say on the radio that he would let his child die of pneumonia because that's God's will. Could we possibly be retreating instead of progressing? I think the fear should be real.
There is also one thing that we should realize about this issue of saving the environment. We are not saving it to save the planet. The planet has been here for close to 4 billion years and has gone through, who knows how many such chaotic transformations. The planet isn't going anywhere and it will be here grinding away in the vacuum of space when we've all but wiped ourselves off its face.
We're trying to save the environment to try and save ourselves.
monds | August 25, 2008 5:55 AM | Reply
Man! I chatted with a lot of people who have similar mentality towards all aspects of life. Such as their living conditions and stuff. like they would say " Maaiyy raskalaange aharumennah minvaru kurevvi gothey ...Keekuraanee??". So how can someone better themselves or get out of a situation that they are in if they have a mentality like that.
I totally agree with you, the use of religion as a propaganda tool for years and years have brainwashed us into thinking we cannot do anything to change our situation and the situation we have is ordained by God.
M | August 25, 2008 8:59 AM | Reply
another noah flood even after the rainbow promise?
Iya | August 25, 2008 10:30 AM | Reply
its one thing to believe in islamic faith, but its another thing to depend on it so much that one remains ignorant of the world around them.
true, islam HAS been used as propaganda. true, the islamic faith is being abused everyday by hypocrites and such. i do believe that people need something spiritual to believe in. not blindly follow it.
people in rural areas need to be made aware of the situation without religion being shoved up their faces.
Abdulla | August 25, 2008 11:33 AM | Reply
Simon,
There are several points that I take note of in your post. Perhaps you have done much the same as the politicians of today. You too have twisted the tale, one that was nonetheless ill-based, to spread your views about religion.
I believe, rather than the environment or religious belief, you have put into words your lack of belief in the Islam, not that I'd hold that against you.
That said, I think you do have a point, which, even with your thinly veiled sarcasm of the islamic belief system, comes out as another message to take note of. That point is: our acts, or inaction, do have an impact on ourselves and our environment. Allah, in his unlimited wisdom has allowed us to do many a thing that would impact on our lives; yes, including being allowed to disbelieve in him.
One could use science to dispute the presence of God or use it to prove, beyong a shadow of doubt that there is one; all based on how you look at the evidence and how you interpret the signs.
Abdulla,
What are you talking about? I have not twisted the tale here. The mentality of a lot of us is bordering on delusional apathy because that's how we've been programmed. If anything you've completely lost the point of my post.
About my lack of belief and sarcasm towards religion: Why some readers of this blog keep reiterating to me what I already know, I do not know. Yes, I have such and such views on religion, yes, I lack this and that belief. What's new?
Abdulla, I am not saying everyone should abandon their beliefs, or as a commenter said: that something spiritual. No, we should keep religion where it belongs: in the heart, at home as something that is completely disconnected from science and reality.
After all, what does faith really mean?
lolita | August 25, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply
No you idiots we ned to bring Jesus into our hearts!! after all science has proven him by way of parthenogenesis, hasn't he...
Davinci Code is just propaganda, not like the reverends solid rationalizations here
Ahamadhu | August 25, 2008 3:13 PM | Reply
Looks like the message of 'Education as the Imperative of our generation' is gathering momentum on the bogosphere as well eh...
Dhivehi Resistance | August 25, 2008 8:38 PM | Reply
Abdulla,
You are denying fourteen centuries of Islamic teaching and even the very words of Muhammad himself when you say that "Allah, in his unlimited wisdom has allowed us to do many a thing that would impact on our lives; yes, including being allowed to disbelieve in him."
Bukhari (52:260) - "...The Prophet said, 'If somebody (a Muslim) discards his religion, kill him.'
Please visit the Emme Mathee Majlis and give them the correct interpretation of the hadith. Also go to Dr. Sheikh Abdul Majeed Abdul Baaree and enlighten him on this very important point.
And I hope you will take the matter up with our lawmakers about the clause in the constitution regarding unbelievers of Islam!
Great posting Simon.
A very relevant and important issue we need to tackle. Instead of progressing we are going backwards to 7th century Arabia. "Islamic Doctors" now dictate what is science!
The education system and public television has to be purged of the "Quran aa Science". What kind of place is this when I send my child to school, but I have to tell him "don't believe what the Islam teacher says".
With different variations of Islam being praticed now, it will not be long before the mullahs themselves start fighting over what kind of Islam should be taught in schools. The Afrashim affair is a harbinger of worse things to come!
mkg | August 25, 2008 9:57 PM | Reply
It's a pity that even in 2009 some people are so disconnected to reality. Ignorant yes, it could simple be a fear to understand better. To stay ignorant just to keep things off being complicated. I've met many who otherwise seem intelligent but when confronted with anything complicated would throw in verses from the Quran just to get an edge on the topic. Too many of them here in the Maldives who utter God! to every little bit of thing that demands some logic.
eg Question:
How was earth formed?
Ignorant answerer:
God!
Food for the brain:
http://www.mcwdn.org/MAPS&GLOBES/Earth.html
noname | August 25, 2008 10:07 PM | Reply
good point you brought up at the latter part of your post, we always see slogans such as "SAVE THE PLANET" in environmental rallies, when "SAVE YOURSELVES" would be more appropriate and realistic.
thadu | August 25, 2008 10:25 PM | Reply
insane are those people who say we shall not carry an unbrella but get wet, because it is raining right now only for that god want us to be wet! ah! what is wrong with some people. they dont even know what is written in the holy books, just open their mouths n blabber their own thoughts creating their own religion!