Bigotry and Polytheism

Religion is an element that organizes human life and gives it meaning. However, misunderstanding religion, failing to practice it correctly, and contaminating it with superstitions can drive a person into a significant spiritual and moral deadlock. One of the clearest examples of this deadlock is the concepts of “bigotry” and “polytheism.”
Bigotry refers to a person basing their beliefs and actions on invented rules and principles, devoid of reason and logic, whereas polytheism is associating partners with Allah or attributing others alongside Him, thus deviating from the essence of religion.
Bigotry signifies living according to fabricated prohibitions and rules independently of reason and logic. When related to religion, it means abandoning the true and valid source of religion and instead adopting a lifestyle based on conjectures, assumptions, and fabricated rules. People commonly labeled as “religious” but who have actually strayed from the essence of religion are under the influence of bigotry. These individuals shape their lives according to invented rules and prohibitions in the name of religion, rather than learning the true essence of it, which leads to misinterpretations and misunderstanding of religion.
Polytheism, on the other hand, means associating partners with Allah, attributing others alongside Him. A person, not fully understanding or trusting Allah, may turn to other beings as intermediaries. This situation leads to a life filled with display and doubt, rather than establishing a sincere closeness to Allah and practicing religion correctly. A polytheist adopts a lifestyle based on false beliefs and defends religious convictions in an erroneous manner.
The relationship between bigotry and polytheism is directly linked to human weaknesses and ego-driven tendencies. People usually gravitate toward religious rules that are easy to follow and socially prestigious. This arises less from a pursuit of truth and more from personal interests and the desire for social acceptance. Bigotry and polytheism emerge when people shape religion according to their own desires and interests rather than seeking truth, causing the intellect and conscience to be sidelined.
Bigotry leads a person to abandon reason and logic. Individuals act primarily for show, turning religious rituals into a form of social prestige rather than experiencing their inner meaning. In this process, they deviate from the essence of religion, adopting superstitions and unfounded beliefs. Polytheism, in this context, involves ignoring Allah’s command and associating partners with Him, preferring worship of other beings rather than understanding and sincerely turning to Allah.
Bigotry and polytheism affect both individual religious and moral life and, at the societal level, lead to significant problems. Bigotry results in a rigid and dogmatic mindset prevailing among people, while polytheism lays the groundwork for the spread of false beliefs instead of true religious understanding. This can cause social unrest, conflicts, and significant fragmentation in religious life. When society accepts a structure shaped by superstitions and deviations from the essence of religion, it leads individuals to stray from true understanding and live according to false beliefs. People may follow religious rules for display, but since these rules lack intrinsic meaning, they do not experience genuine religion. This, in turn, triggers spiritual and moral decay in society.
A lack of correct religious knowledge and understanding negatively affects people’s behavior toward one another. Bigotry and polytheism are among the greatest threats to a person’s understanding of religion. These concepts disrupt the religious life of individuals and societies, hinder the pursuit of truth, and envelop people in superstitions. Misunderstanding religion and relying on fabricated rules can drive humans into significant spiritual and social deadlocks.
To truly understand and practice religion, one must act with reason and logic, avoiding display and superstitions. Religion should be an inner experience, achievable only through sincere orientation toward Allah. In this regard, every individual must learn and live their religion correctly so that peace, harmony, and true religious understanding prevail in society.