Spirituality: Men and Stones

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Abstract

rning is essential.</p><p id="397b">Greed and selfishness are overpowering human sensitivities, morality and justice. Democracy is being challenged by authoritarianism. These influences are so powerful in our society that the voice of spiritually guided and right-minded people seem powerless to initiate and sustain meaningful changes for the good of humanity.</p><p id="104a">The ubiquitous growth of COVID19-delta infections has brought these challenges into sharp relief. Many parents recognize the health risks as well as the negative aspects of ideologies and principles being delivered through the public school environment and classroom instruction. Sincere and well-meaning teachers are powerless against the tidal wave of legislative decisions which govern schools.</p><h2 id="3ae6">Time tested solutions</h2><p id="70ec">There have been other periods in United States history in which ideologies and selfish practices dictated the direction of public education. In these instances clergy, parents, and community leaders developed alternative solutions to save their families from a fire whose fuel is men and stones. The development and growth of the Catholic Schools movement is one example. Desiring an education for their youngsters, Catholics successfully organized and established a nation-wide school system reflective of their theological perspective.</p><p id="63b1">Segregation of African Americans also led to the establishment of alternative schools. Although modest in resources, many of these education edifices produced great scholars, businessmen and national leaders. The prevailing view of the inferiority of African Americans was rejected by these oppressed people. Clergy

Options

, parents and community leaders during this period of history, were quite effective in saving their offspring from a fire whose fuel is men and stones.</p><h2 id="565b">Possible approaches today</h2><p id="781d">COVID-19 safe environments are also being developed today. The all-pervasive spread of the homeschooling movement is yet another example of a segment of our population that has rejected external authority over the spiritual and intellectual growth of their children.</p><p id="194d">Finally, the past year has also opened the portal on yet another viable approach to an ideologically constructive learning environment — <a href="https://drqadir44.medium.com/virtual-classrooms-the-way-of-the-future-beb9a64ab6a?source=friends_link&sk=bf7eeed61e372d92f0810c486768cfec">the virtual classroom</a>. Although slow in its acceptance because of its forced implementation, It is a viable alternative because fewer human and economic resources are required for curriculum delivery to large numbers of students. As technology advances, virtual classroom platforms will probably become more popular as a medium of instruction.</p><p id="f489">A shift in our national social justice paradigm requires that we re-acquaint ourselves with the civics of democracy. Our mass ignorance of this discipline is a useful tool to be used by those that advance authoritarianism. If we conscientiously work to save our families from a fire whose fuel is men and stones, our children will be prepared to undertake the challenge of shifting <a href="https://readmedium.com/pendulum-of-power-40b329e6f91e?source=friends_link&sk=79985407319646ee40b6073d84a166f2">the pendulum of power</a>.</p></article></body>

Power that affects our lives

We have a verse in Qur’an where the Almighty says that we should save ourselves and our families from a fire whose fuel is men and stones (66:6). Theologically the fire could refer to the hell fire — a place of torment in which wicked people are placed. Metaphorically we can also think of the fire as difficulties that we face every day in our lives.

This stern admonishment is a useful reminder for us today. The word used for men in this verse is an-Naasu. The root of this word translated as “men,” actually refers to all human beings. The word that translates as stone is al-Hejaaratu. which means; harden, resist or prohibit access to something.

Since human interactions are governed by socially acceptable rules, the underlying assumptions, that we share in common — hajara ( a form of al Hejaartu) — could be viewed as principles that guide our lives.

Now, we can understand this verse as a warning. The Almighty is giving us clear guidance. If we want peace and prosperity in our lives, do not allow ourselves or our families to be influenced by people and ideas that could lead us away from justice and equity in our society. In the context of today’s world this warning is essential.

Greed and selfishness are overpowering human sensitivities, morality and justice. Democracy is being challenged by authoritarianism. These influences are so powerful in our society that the voice of spiritually guided and right-minded people seem powerless to initiate and sustain meaningful changes for the good of humanity.

The ubiquitous growth of COVID19-delta infections has brought these challenges into sharp relief. Many parents recognize the health risks as well as the negative aspects of ideologies and principles being delivered through the public school environment and classroom instruction. Sincere and well-meaning teachers are powerless against the tidal wave of legislative decisions which govern schools.

Time tested solutions

There have been other periods in United States history in which ideologies and selfish practices dictated the direction of public education. In these instances clergy, parents, and community leaders developed alternative solutions to save their families from a fire whose fuel is men and stones. The development and growth of the Catholic Schools movement is one example. Desiring an education for their youngsters, Catholics successfully organized and established a nation-wide school system reflective of their theological perspective.

Segregation of African Americans also led to the establishment of alternative schools. Although modest in resources, many of these education edifices produced great scholars, businessmen and national leaders. The prevailing view of the inferiority of African Americans was rejected by these oppressed people. Clergy, parents and community leaders during this period of history, were quite effective in saving their offspring from a fire whose fuel is men and stones.

Possible approaches today

COVID-19 safe environments are also being developed today. The all-pervasive spread of the homeschooling movement is yet another example of a segment of our population that has rejected external authority over the spiritual and intellectual growth of their children.

Finally, the past year has also opened the portal on yet another viable approach to an ideologically constructive learning environment — the virtual classroom. Although slow in its acceptance because of its forced implementation, It is a viable alternative because fewer human and economic resources are required for curriculum delivery to large numbers of students. As technology advances, virtual classroom platforms will probably become more popular as a medium of instruction.

A shift in our national social justice paradigm requires that we re-acquaint ourselves with the civics of democracy. Our mass ignorance of this discipline is a useful tool to be used by those that advance authoritarianism. If we conscientiously work to save our families from a fire whose fuel is men and stones, our children will be prepared to undertake the challenge of shifting the pendulum of power.