Never really got this one in a general sense. Why pray towards a location? Shouldn’t they be praying to God. Pretty sure he’s not tucked away in that evil looking black cube building.
Many (most?) churches of the Jesus variant of Sky Daddy believers point generally eastward - it’s where the word orientation (I.e. The Orient / east) comes from. Gives people somewhere tangible to focus - and is also where the sun rises. Gets full use out of those beautiful windows to point towards sunrise and/or sunset.
Organization purposes. The entire purpose of religion is to organize people under a common belief. If everyone prays to random directions, its all chaos. Religion is all about maintaining order. It might not make sense now we all live in very sophisticated, organized societies, but we came from anarchy, and religion is derived from the fear of said anarchy. All civilizations have had some form of religion in common.
Islam came from a very tribal, disorganized place where everyone pretty much did as they pleased, especially the stronger. And so Islam has rules for everything to avoid specifically that.
You clearly have an unhealthy obsession with Islam, judging from your past comment history. I thought I was talking to just someone with an interest in sociology and origins of religion, my mistake.
And yes, all religions were pretty much popular revolutionary movements designed to uproot hierarchy in their beginnings. That changed as they became the hierarchy. I don’t know how you imagine the 7th century to be like, but it was a world full of warfare and women had more or less no rights.
Id like to think I dislike all religions equally to be honest with the possible exception of Buddhism if you call that a religion.
I’ve lived and travelled in the Islamic world widely and I take a dim view on its effect on people. I also take a dim view of rape, murder and terrorism but call me crazy - not necessarily Islamic but you guys seem to be making it your brand lately.
Never really got this one in a general sense. Why pray towards a location? Shouldn’t they be praying to God. Pretty sure he’s not tucked away in that evil looking black cube building.
I guess I’m looking for logic in the wrong place.
Many (most?) churches of the Jesus variant of Sky Daddy believers point generally eastward - it’s where the word orientation (I.e. The Orient / east) comes from. Gives people somewhere tangible to focus - and is also where the sun rises. Gets full use out of those beautiful windows to point towards sunrise and/or sunset.
Organization purposes. The entire purpose of religion is to organize people under a common belief. If everyone prays to random directions, its all chaos. Religion is all about maintaining order. It might not make sense now we all live in very sophisticated, organized societies, but we came from anarchy, and religion is derived from the fear of said anarchy. All civilizations have had some form of religion in common.
Islam came from a very tribal, disorganized place where everyone pretty much did as they pleased, especially the stronger. And so Islam has rules for everything to avoid specifically that.
Huh, Islam TIL has rules to avoid the stronger people doing as they please.
Not sure how many women would agree with that statement. Also there were laws in the area before Islam.
If you imagine Muhammad brought peace and quiet to the region I have bad news.
You clearly have an unhealthy obsession with Islam, judging from your past comment history. I thought I was talking to just someone with an interest in sociology and origins of religion, my mistake.
And yes, all religions were pretty much popular revolutionary movements designed to uproot hierarchy in their beginnings. That changed as they became the hierarchy. I don’t know how you imagine the 7th century to be like, but it was a world full of warfare and women had more or less no rights.
Id like to think I dislike all religions equally to be honest with the possible exception of Buddhism if you call that a religion.
I’ve lived and travelled in the Islamic world widely and I take a dim view on its effect on people. I also take a dim view of rape, murder and terrorism but call me crazy - not necessarily Islamic but you guys seem to be making it your brand lately.