European Journal of Scientific Research - EuroJournals
European Journal of Scientific Research - EuroJournals
European Journal of Scientific Research - EuroJournals
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378 Nazenin Ruso<br />
thinking <strong>of</strong> God”. The same Imam adds that it is impossible for a person to have a clean heart if he/she<br />
doesn’t believe in God.<br />
The effects <strong>of</strong> University and Above Education on Religion<br />
Imams were asked whether university and above education is causing people to move away from<br />
religion. This is one <strong>of</strong> the questions majority <strong>of</strong> Imams reacted. Most <strong>of</strong> them indicated that religion<br />
contributes a lot to the education and improvement <strong>of</strong> a person. The pr<strong>of</strong>ile <strong>of</strong> an educated person is the<br />
one who is aware <strong>of</strong> the importance <strong>of</strong> religion in life. It is very difficult to cheat an educated person or<br />
to guide him to wrong ways because an educated person is a person who knows how to think. A person<br />
who thinks always finds the truth. Our religion is very appropriate for science and logic so how can a<br />
university graduate reject such a logical religion which highlights the importance <strong>of</strong> goodness all the<br />
time? Educated people reflect light to the people who are close to them. One <strong>of</strong> the Imams gives Zumer<br />
verse 9 from Koran as an example, “Can a person who knows be the same as a person who doesn’t<br />
know?”. Our master Mohammad said that science is endless so science should be studied from cradle<br />
till grave. One Imam gave Japan as an example to support the importance <strong>of</strong> education in the<br />
improvement <strong>of</strong> a country. According to him Japans are not only the most religious people in the world<br />
who are very keen on their traditions and all kinds <strong>of</strong> religious requirements, but also the most<br />
technologically developed country in the world as well. A community without a religion can not<br />
survive. Another Imam gave Americans as an example. He said that, on American Dollar it says “In<br />
God We Trust” which shows Americans trust and admiration to God. Moreover, he added that when he<br />
thinks <strong>of</strong> America as a very rich, economically powerful country, he questions the reason behind this.<br />
However the answer is very simple: Their beliefs in God which can be seen on their money.<br />
On the other hand, there were a few Imams who claimed that university and above education is<br />
causing people to move away from religion. One reason for this is given as the content <strong>of</strong> the courses<br />
which are related with materialistic behaviors rather than religious issues. The second reason is the<br />
difficulties <strong>of</strong> youth caused by university life such as stress. Due to these difficulties, youth try to get<br />
rid <strong>of</strong> stress by behaving in a morally unacceptable ways such as drinking too much alcohol, using<br />
drugs, etc.<br />
The effects <strong>of</strong> Globalization and Modernization on Religion<br />
Imams were asked to discuss whether globalization and modernization are causing people move<br />
towards or away from religion. Half <strong>of</strong> the Imams were in favor <strong>of</strong> globalization and modernization<br />
pointing out that Islam advices people to live modern, to love people, to embrace and to protect people.<br />
They indicate that the growing technology is the pro<strong>of</strong> for the power <strong>of</strong> God so people should move<br />
towards religion and admire God more after seeing all these new creations <strong>of</strong> God.<br />
However, the other half <strong>of</strong> the Imams claimed that modernization and globalization are causing<br />
people to move away from religion. These Imams see a strong relationship with technology and<br />
modernization. They claim that the world is diminishing now because <strong>of</strong> technology. People are<br />
imprisoned in their homes sitting all day in front <strong>of</strong> their computers and televisions. Especially, this<br />
situation affects children in a negative way as they have an access to all harmful information via<br />
computers. However, in past, children used to learn useful things only from their parents and<br />
accordingly used to behave in a more morally acceptable manners. For some Imams, there is another<br />
reason for thinking that modernization and globalization are causing people to move away from<br />
religion. That is the increase in socialization process <strong>of</strong> people caused by the increase in modernization.<br />
Imams feel that modern people are social people who experience things that are against our religious<br />
values such as using alcohol.<br />
There were also a few Imams who couldn’t see any link between religion and modernization.<br />
They claimed that modernization is a technological development and has got nothing to do with the<br />
concept <strong>of</strong> religion. For them, we are not technologically developed due to our ignorance not due to