Mohamedarif Mohamed Suleman (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania) is a digital marketing specialist and an Educator-cum-Trainer. He has involved himself in community organisations and matters from a young age, and through his writings, continues to speak of social and cultural reform to this day. He is also the founding moderator of this forum.
Throughout the ages, across countless generations, faith and belief systems have served as guiding lights, uniting communities and offering solace during tumultuous times. However, in recent years, an unsettling trend has emerged, where the essence of these belief systems – the messages of hope, compassion, and unity – has been overshadowed by an exaggerated reverence for their messengers. This shift has fostered polarization, eroding the very foundations that once fostered harmony among adherents.
Imagine a village blessed with a crystal-clear river, its waters nourishing the land and sustaining the villagers. For generations, the villagers draw water from this river, understanding its significance and cherishing the life it brings. One day, a charismatic individual arrives, claiming to have discovered the purest spot in the river. People, mesmerised by this individual’s charm and conviction, begin to flock to that spot, ignoring the river’s entirety. Over time, they forget that the river’s essence lies in its entirety and not just in a single spot. This allegory mirrors the state of modern-day faith systems, where the focus has shifted from the core teachings to the personalities delivering them.
As the saying goes, “Don’t shoot the messenger,” which emphasises the importance of the message rather than the person delivering it. However, in contemporary times, the inverse seems true. Adherents have begun to “idolise the messenger,” leading to an unhealthy fixation on the individual rather than the teachings. This phenomenon has given rise to factions within faith communities, each rallying around their chosen figurehead, often at the expense of the message itself.
Consider the tale of the two wise men. Each man, renowned for his wisdom, resides in a different town. Both townspeople, eager to display their loyalty, erect statues in their honour. As time passes, the townsfolk start arguing over whose wise man is superior, forgetting the lessons of wisdom and compassion both men imparted. The statues meant to honour wisdom, become symbols of division, tearing apart the very fabric of unity the wise men sought to weave. This tale illustrates how reverence for the messenger can overshadow the message, leading to discord and fragmentation.
The essence of belief systems often lies in their teachings – principles of love, kindness, and understanding. However, when the messenger’s persona eclipses these teachings, it distorts the belief system’s true purpose. The proverb “The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life” underscores this notion. The spirit of the teachings breathes life into communities, fostering growth and connection. Yet, an overemphasis on the “letter” – the messenger’s persona – stifles this spirit, leading to rigidity and division.
In the story of the blind men and the elephant, each man touches a different part of the elephant and insists that his perception is the absolute truth. One touches the trunk and claims it is a snake; another feels the ear and insists it is a fan. They argue vehemently, unable to grasp that they are all partially right but collectively missing the whole truth. Similarly, the polarisation in modern faith systems stems from adherents clinging to fragmented perceptions of the truth as presented by different messengers, rather than embracing the holistic message.
To address this polarisation, it is crucial to reorient focus towards the core teachings. Just as a gardener tends to the roots to ensure the health of the tree, adherents must delve into the essence of their belief systems, nurturing the roots of compassion, love, and understanding. By doing so, they can transcend the divisive allure of idolising messengers and rekindle the unity and harmony that faith and belief systems are meant to inspire.
The polarisation of modern-day faith and belief systems can be attributed to the shift in focus from the message to the messenger. Through anecdotes and sayings, it becomes evident that this divergence has led to fragmentation and discord. Reclaiming the essence of the teachings and prioritizing the message over the messenger can pave the way for a more unified and harmonious future. As the adage goes, “Focus on the light, not the lamp,” for it is the light that guides and unites, while the lamp is merely the vessel.
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Mohamedarif Mohamed Suleman (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania) is a digital marketing specialist and an Educator-cum-Trainer. He has involved himself in community organisations and matters from a young age, and through his writings, continues to speak of social and cultural reform to this day. He is also the founding moderator of this forum.
