A New Crop of Fashionable Preachers And 'Scholars'
By
Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
16 August
2023
"Sahil Adeem also believes in intergalactic and
interplanetary travels. He does not consider Prophet Jesus' ascension to the
heavens a metaphysical event. He says that interplanetary or intergalactic
travel is possible and the Quran talks of it when it says that on the Day of
Judgment, the doors of the heavens will be opened. The event of Meraj to him
was also an example of time travel and therefore, he disagrees with those ulema
who say that Meraj was only a dream. He believes that Meraj was a physical
journey through time."
The problem
with Islam and all religions have been their preachers, exegetes, interpreters
and apologists. They're not exactly modern. All are primitive in their
(religious) thinking.
In fact,
they cannot be modern. Because, to be truly modern is to quit all the bogus
faiths and their gods mankind is burdened with for thousands of years. If this
young and 'refined' maulvi (sorry, scholar) talks of time-travel, intergalactic
and interplanetary travels, young and dynamic Christian pastors, preachers and
apologists are also talking of AI and Aliens. And they're glibly mixing them up
to concoct a cocktail of religio-scriptural troglodytism and futuristic
technological advancement. So, where lies the difference? Insaan Ko Zameen
Pe Chalna Nahin Aaya/ Magar Baaton Mein Sair Duniya Ki Kar Aayaa (Man has
not even learnt how to walk on earth / But he has travelled through
galaxies!).
Hinduism
with its sub-cults like Ramakrishna Mission, ISKCON, among others also have
'brilliant' English-speaking motivational speakers, life-coaches (never understood,
who are those coaches), scientific seekers, metaphysical interpreters (!) and
what not.
Their
cocktail of Physics and Metaphysics will leave you gobsmacked. Yet, you'll keep
nodding your head lest the sophisticated people around shouldn't call you an
upstart or spiritually-challenged person!
All these
not-so-young Hindu preachers like Gaur Gopal Das, Amogh Leela Prabhu, among
others have a contingent of elite followers comprising social butterflies, Ladida
celebrities and obscenely rich people. Ensconced in clover, they'll continue to
baffle you with their inanities wearing saffron attire and smearing a huge
tilak on the forehead.
Like this
Jackie Shroff look-alike 38-yr-old preacher and 'scholar' Sahil Adeem, there's
a new crop of suave, young and old preachers like Sri Sri......(I'm told, one
more Sri is being prefixed to his name, of late) who will entertain you.
Yes,
there's one Sadguru Jaggi as well! How did I forget him? Such spiritual
catalysts, creeps and caterpillars are now in all religions. After all, all
faiths require a makeover. Don't they?
To
encapsulate, be your own preacher. Listen to the voice of your conscience. You
don't need any god, religion or preacher. You're your own god.
----
A regular
columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative
religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the
world's premier publications in several languages including Persian.
URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/fashionable-preachers-scholars/d/130455
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