Not An Organized Religion

I have always been discouraged with, and by, organized religion. To me everyone’s relationship with God is very personal, and very much “one on one” so to speak:

All of them will come before Him on the Day of Resurrection as individuals. (19:95)

Every human being is responsible for his own works.  (53:39)

That is why Submission as I understand it from the Quran and from my personal experience is such a tremendous treasure. It is, as I understand it, not an organized religion at all, but a way to live our lives:

Say, “My Contact Prayers (Salat), my worship practices, my life and my death, are all devoted absolutely to God alone, the Lord of the universe. (6:162)

The life of this world is no more than illusion and vanity, while the abode of the Hereafter is far better for the righteous. Do you not understand?! (6:32)

Of course there are some dilemmas inherent in such a situation: no one can tell you what to believe, think, say, or do beyond reminding with the scripture. It means that each Submitter must find their own personal connection with God, and stands before Him as individuals—every moment of their lives.

You are not responsible for guiding anyone.

God is the only one who guides whoever chooses (to be guided)…. (2:272)

You shall fight for the cause of God; you are responsible only for your own soul, and exhort the believers to do the same…. (4:84)

Inevitably this leads to differences of opinion, and in many cases the appearance of conflict, if not conflict indeed. In this case, the Quran tells us how to deal with these differences:

Tell My servants to treat each other in the best possible manner, for the devil will always try to drive a wedge among them. Surely, the devil is man's most ardent enemy. (17:53)

They respond to their Lord by observing the Contact Prayers (Salat). Their affairs are decided after due consultation among themselves…. (42:38)

If two groups of believers fought with each other, you shall reconcile them. If one group aggresses against the other, you shall fight the aggressing group until they submit to God's command. Once they submit, you shall reconcile the two groups equitably. You shall maintain justice; God loves those who are just. (49:9)

The believers are members of one family; you shall keep the peace within your family and reverence God, that you may attain mercy. (49:10)

God tells us that freedom is a big part of Submission:

There shall be no compulsion in religion: the right way is now distinct from the wrong way.

Anyone who denounces the devil and believes in God has grasped the strongest bond; one that never breaks. God is Hearer, Omniscient. (2:256)

Of course individual Submitter communities may choose to organize as legal entities. They may find that certain procedures help in their community.  But there is no religious hierarchy and no one has the right to impose their understanding on another.

Maximum freedom for everyone and focusing on individual responsibility may lead to differences but it also gives us great strength. If we are each individually holding fast to the rope of God, we interweave into a strong fabric. Each of us comes to our faith through examining and following God’s words, not because someone pushed us into line.

God is our strength. To me He is our organization and His message is our instruction book.  We come together as a family not as an organized body. At times different members of the family work together on specific projects, strive together toward specific goals, but as individuals... just as in any family.

Let us work to make our family a healthy, loving one and not allow Satan and our egos to make it an unhealthy, dysfunctional one. We have been blessed with one another, and with a wonderful diversity among us.  Thank You God, for that blessing!

Lisa