Shadows of the Pomegranate Tree part two

Any political structure, form of government or religious moral guidelines has the chance to be logically pleasing. However, it is the nature of human psyche to break rules, disobey orders, and defy authority. The most classic example, almost a cliché, is the hot stove scenario. The novel, Shadows of the Pomegranate Tree, by Tariq Ali, is a complex work of historical fiction that gives clearly illustrated social commentary on several levels ranging from private, domestic life to political, cultural and religious life.

Familial scandal is perhaps the most common yet best hidden element of social life. The religion of Islam has a strict set of moral guidelines: no dating or sex before marriage, no drinking, no smoking, no drugs, no gambling, respect for all parents and elders, practice modesty, no violence and no hubris among others. Yet the novel suggests, through the subplots detailing scenes of un-wedded lust and accounts of familial incest all within a prominent Muslim family, that the concept of a perfect morality is not possible. While the family stories are fictional, the grain of truth is found; a strict set of moral guidelines gives a pretty veneer; the temptation to find out first hand why the guidelines exist is too tempting to some, especially when it comes to carnal instincts.

The early Christian model of moral guidelines was not much different, if not identical: no pre-marital sex, no drugs, no drinking or smoking in excess, practice modesty, no violence, no pride, practice respect, etc. However the novel additionally supports, through the subplots detailing the children of the supposed celibate priests and church authorities, the idea that a perfect morality is just a mirage used to invite, pull and bring people into the fold. While the specific children are most likely fictional, history is rife with accounts of children born to nuns and such.

From personal experience, it is my firm belief that the more strict a religion or policy is, the harsher the break when someone whom has conformed to the lifestyle all their life finally gives in to temptations. I have a good friend who went until the age of twenty-five, abstaining from sex, drinking and drugs because it was against the way he was brought up. He finally caved about a year ago, and as a result, all members of his religious community no longer recognize him as a person. He is only considered ‘alive’ to his immediate family. I have another friend whom easily upholds the very same values or morals that he so struggled with; the difference is that she does not strictly conform to any one set of religious guidelines and was not raised to a specific religion and is in the process of finding her religious ‘home’.  

Further, I believe that while a strict religion or set of moral guidelines can in some cases be beneficial to a society, it is necessary to allow each individual to develop the reasons for the guidelines in their own words, through their own reasoning. It is only in this fashion that the guidelines can be followed. This allows questioning and reasoning, encourages debate. If taught in this fashion, when the time comes that the moral guidelines are challenged, by internal urges or external forces, a defense is already in place, and the morality is less likely to be changed or broken.