A New Crop of Fashionable Preachers And 'Scholars'

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 16 August 2023 "Sahil Adeem also believes in intergalactic and interplanetary travels. He does not consider Prophet Jesus' ascension to the heavens a metaphysical event. He says that interplanetary or intergalactic travel is possible and the Quran talks of it when it says that on the Day of Judgment, the doors of the heavens will be opened. The event of Meraj to him was also an example of time travel and therefore, he disagrees with those ulema who say that Meraj was only a dream. He believes that Meraj was a physical journey through time." The problem with Islam and all religions have been their preachers, exegetes, interpreters and apologists. They're not exactly modern. All are primitive in their (religious) thinking. In fact, they cannot be modern. Because, to be truly modern is to quit all the bogus faiths and their gods mankind is burdened with for thousands of years. If this young and 'refined' maulvi (sorry, scholar) talks of time-travel, intergalactic and interplanetary travels, young and dynamic Christian pastors, preachers and apologists are also talking of AI and Aliens. And they're glibly mixing them up to concoct a cocktail of religio-scriptural troglodytism and futuristic technological advancement. So, where lies the difference? Insaan Ko Zameen Pe Chalna Nahin Aaya/ Magar Baaton Mein Sair Duniya Ki Kar Aayaa (Man has not even learnt how to walk on earth / But he has travelled through galaxies!). Hinduism with its sub-cults like Ramakrishna Mission, ISKCON, among others also have 'brilliant' English-speaking motivational speakers, life-coaches (never understood, who are those coaches), scientific seekers, metaphysical interpreters (!) and what not. Their cocktail of Physics and Metaphysics will leave you gobsmacked. Yet, you'll keep nodding your head lest the sophisticated people around shouldn't call you an upstart or spiritually-challenged person! All these not-so-young Hindu preachers like Gaur Gopal Das, Amogh Leela Prabhu, among others have a contingent of elite followers comprising social butterflies, Ladida celebrities and obscenely rich people. Ensconced in clover, they'll continue to baffle you with their inanities wearing saffron attire and smearing a huge tilak on the forehead. Like this Jackie Shroff look-alike 38-yr-old preacher and 'scholar' Sahil Adeem, there's a new crop of suave, young and old preachers like Sri Sri......(I'm told, one more Sri is being prefixed to his name, of late) who will entertain you. Yes, there's one Sadguru Jaggi as well! How did I forget him? Such spiritual catalysts, creeps and caterpillars are now in all religions. After all, all faiths require a makeover. Don't they? To encapsulate, be your own preacher. Listen to the voice of your conscience. You don't need any god, religion or preacher. You're your own god. ---- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/fashionable-preachers-scholars/d/130455 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism