Does slavery to religion lead to spiritual laziness?
If one never needs to think about the reasons behind something and only needs to follow the rules…doesn’t that inhibit spiritual growth? Doesn’t that lead to stagnation?
There are rules for how to do everything: eating, bathing, praying, clothing, relationships, etc.
No need to worry about if listening to a certain type of music could be spiritually detrimental…all music is haram.
No need to worry about if going to a gathering could be spiritually detrimental…all mixed gatherings (males/females) are haram.
No need to worry about if wearing that particular outfit could be spiritually detrimental…all women must wear hijab and show nothing but face and hands, and all men must cover everything from knee-to-navel.
You don’t really need to seek spiritual guidance because the path has been laid out for you.
So…where’s the interaction with God?
I agree with you, to the extent that being a slave to religion before being a slave to God can lead a person to spiritual laziness. When all of the small things become more important than the largest and truly most important (God), it is easy to forget the reasons why you are doing what you do, and easy to get into the habit of “going through the motions.”
I think a person should always place God at the top as far as importance goes. If you do this, you are bound to understand the reasons behind following the religion you follow.
It is like placing the act of prayer above the act of connecting with God through prayer. The action means far more when there is a purpose and intention behind it.
Though on the same note, while I probably have a different view of the rules you’ve stated, when it comes to the rules I follow within religion I do so because I understand their purpose.
Foundations for Spiritual Growth – DVD1
