The things I care about more than God or religion are -integrity, honesty, love, education and making this world a better place by my everyday actions. I figure if i have this worked out, then even if there IS a God who sits there on his high chair on the judgement day, he wouldn't find any reasons to punish me if I've been a loving, kind, compassionate person, even if i have not 'prayed' to him.
One cannot be a 'religious' person of any persuasion without being kind, compassionate, honest and ethical. Otherwise I think the basic message has been missed. So I think these qualities are mandatory if you believe in God. But if one has all these qualities but do not acknowledge God or pray to one, can we coast to salvation some how.. Who knows.. But here are few verses of Qur'an that are interesting.. FWIW..
[az-Zumar 39:6] He created you from one being, then from that (being) He made its mate; and He hath provided for you of cattle eight kinds. He created you in the wombs of your mothers, creation after creation, in a threefold gloom. Such is Allah, your Lord. His is the Sovereignty. There is no God save Him. How then are ye turned away ?
[az-Zumar 39:7] If ye are thankless, yet Allah is Independent of you, though He is not pleased with thanklessness for His bondmen; and if ye are thankful He is pleased therewith for you. No laden soul will bear another's load. Then unto your Lord is your return; and He will tell you what ye used to do. Lo! He knoweth what is in the breasts (of men).
[al-Anbiya' 21:35] Every soul must taste of death, and We try you with evil and with good, for ordeal. And unto Us ye will be returned |
