Countries that are obsessed with religion tend to be poor and underdeveloped

Around 7 pm, I was parking my motorbike. There was a noise so loud and so long. I asked the parking attendant, "what is that sound?". The sound of people praying, he explained.

Why so hard? I couldn't even hear the parking attendant's voice. I can't even hear my voice. Why does prayer have to be so hard?

I looked at the related places of worship. Very few people, but very loud voice. Does it need to be that hard? Isn't that disturbing the environment? Isn't that noise pollution? What are these symptoms?

It is said that, if discussed properly, people can be accused of blaspheming religion. Finally, people are afraid and silence the noise that is very disturbing to the surrounding environment. Such is the fate of silent lovers in a religion-obsessed country. The sick, the needy, and the lonely lovers must be forced to listen to meaningless, and often ear-piercing, prayers.

Possible True Hypothesis

I have long had a simple hypothesis. Hypothesis means an opinion that has not been tested in research. It goes like this, the more a country is obsessed with religion, the more backward and poor that country is. With a few keystrokes on the keyboard, "Professor Google" immediately presents useful data.

The data was taken by the PEW research institute in the form of a survey from 2008 to 2017. This is an independent research institute headquartered in Washington, United States. They do research regularly about various things related to living together. They use the latest research methods to extract the desired data. This is the data I get:

Let's dissect the data. Five countries see religion as very important. They are Ethiopia (98%), Pakistan (94%), Indonesia (93%), Honduras (90%), and Nigeria (88%). These are countries that fail to bring prosperity and justice to their citizens. The social inequality between the rich and the poor is very high. Armed conflicts, ranging from bomb terrors to civil wars, have not yet ended.

We'll see the other side. Five countries do not see religion as important. They are China (3%), Sweden (10%), Japan (10%), UK (10%), and Germany (10%). This is a list of outstanding countries.

China has become a superpower with enormous political, economic and cultural influence in the world. Many criticisms leveled at the Chinese Government. However, we can't deny, they're just amazing. What about Sweden, Japan, England, and Germany? These are developed countries, where people from all over the world want to live, work, and study.

Ask yourself. Would you like to live, work and study in Ethiopia, Nigeria, or Indonesia (except those who were born there, like me)? I think most will say no. Would you like to study, work and live in China, Japan, or Germany? I think most would say yes.

Why did this happen?

Data from PEW does not mention obsessions. However, from my observations and readings, religion has become an obsession in life in the five countries I mentioned above. Truth exists only in religion, especially mine, which was given at the time I was born and has no right to choose or to move. Others are misguided, and even have to be bombed to be exterminated from the face of the earth.

There are seven important things to note. First, obsession is a symptom of an unhealthy mind. People adore something, without being critical. People lose common sense and get lost in the object of their worship.

Obsessed people are hard to talk to well. They are blind to reason. They can't, or don't want to, see it from another point of view, or a broader perspective. Finally, they also tend to be sensitive, and ready to use violence, if they feel cornered.

Obsession with religion has a similar impact. People are blind to data and facts that differ from their views. People become stubborn in their stupidity. In a society obsessed with religion, science and wisdom will not thrive.

Second, obsession will also kill common sense. People are not able to think logically and see real cause and effect in the world. Critical attitude also disappeared. The old traditions and views that are heretical are still maintained, even though they have been proven completely wrong.

Third, data illiteracy and illiteracy will lead to poverty. Corruption will be widespread, even closely related to religious life. Various policies will fool and impoverish the people. Poverty and slums are rampant, followed by a handful of rich people with flashy luxury housing that disturbs the view.

Without data and common sense, society will not be able to make fair laws. Policies will also be misguided. Various social problems, such as poverty, crime, discrimination, and corruption, will only get bigger.

Fourth, all this will create intolerance to different ways of life. Conflicts between groups and between religions will occur regularly. The loss of life and property will be incalculable. Indonesia is full of this kind of experience.

Fifth, the state will also be trapped in futile debates. The matter of dress will become a public debate that takes a lot of time and energy. The question of sin, hell, and heaven will also become a futile public discourse. In a world battling pandemics, developing renewable energy, and preparing for interplanetary travel, religion-obsessed nations are falling further and further behind.

Sixth, poor and underdeveloped countries will fall prey to the international community. Its natural wealth will be dredged out. The country will only be a place of sale. Its culture was crushed by foreign influences. In cultural and economic poverty, conflict and destruction await in plain sight.

Seventh, in the end, countries that are obsessed with religion will become failed states. The government is not able to provide prosperity and justice for its citizens. Bloody conflicts will become an inseparable part of everyday life. At a certain time, the country will disappear from the face of the earth.

These seven things can also be reversed, to understand countries that are not obsessed with religion. They tend to be sensitive to data and use both common sense and critical thinking in making policies. They managed to get out of poverty and prolonged conflict in their area. Tolerance to different ways of life is very high. They became developed countries in terms of culture, economy, and politics, as well as being role models for other countries.

Fair Religion

I was tempted to deny the existence of religion in the world. However, this seems overkill. It is undeniable that religion has made a major contribution to the development of human civilization. Without religion in all its forms, humanity would have been devastated by the uncertainties of nature.

Learning from Aristotle and Gautama Buddha, the moderate middle way is the best. So, we must remain religious. However, do not let us fall into poverty and backwardness. There are five important things to note.

First, let go of all forms of obsession. That's not healthy. Can kill common sense and conscience. It even kills empathy.

Religion is fine, but don't obsess. Religiously relaxed and full of laughter. Keep learning to reason. Continue to develop conscience and empathy. Please worship, while remaining sensitive to the interests of others, and the common good.

Two, human life has many sides. Don't just develop religion. Develop the artistic and cultural side as well. Develop the scientific and philosophical side as well. Our lives will be balanced, and far from the trap of obsession.

Three, in particular, we must learn to develop science and art. This will sharpen common sense and conscience. The education system must develop a scientific culture and a love of cultural arts. This starts with selecting the right education minister and education officials.

Fourth, if you want to be religious, study to the core. Don't get stuck on shallow surface skin. Don't get caught up in misleading interpretations that fool you. The essence of all religions is oneness with God and all that exists. Love and peace will arise naturally from this union.

Five, at one point, we must go beyond religion and enter spirituality. That is, we no longer see ourselves as mere members of certain social groups, but as citizens of the universe. In philosophy, this is also known as cosmopolitanism. We will coexist peacefully with everything, including the plants and animals around us. We will avoid all forms of torturous obsession, including an obsession with religion.

My country still has hope. Most Indonesians can reason well and have a clear conscience. Only a few are radical and destroy the common good. They are small, but they love to make chaotic on social media and national mass media.

Hopefully, my country can develop into a religious country, but prosperous and intelligent. We can be an example to the whole world in this regard. I dream that one day, all places of worship will be open to all religions. People can then do Yoga in the Church, or Sholat in the Vihara, without any feeling of discomfort or fear. We transcend the unhealthy obsession with religion and become an enlightened nation. Hopefully, this is not just a dream, but a meaningful reality. It depends on all of us. Let's get to work!