The reach of religion

D~ has a friend who lives in the Bay Area. They grew up together back in India in the same neighborhood. Those childhood bonds never die and they have kept in touch with each other all these years.

U~ was always a devout Muslim, but lately the extent of her religious belief and the passion with which she follows it has surprised me. I believe in religious freedom and the right for anybody to practice their faith. But I rebel when religious ideology - or is it fundamentalism - runs counter to modern reality.

U~ believes Islam forbids any business transaction that involves interest. Her belief, for instance, precludes her from owning a house that she otherwise cannot buy outright by paying the full price. I find this sort of rigid religious belief suffocating and uncomfortable. It surprises me that an otherwise intelligent woman would allow herself to be swayed by a religious edict that is outdated. Taking a loan or paying interest, I would argue doesn't make U~ any less of a Muslim. If she did take a loan or pay interest, I would argue instead that she was being a progressive Muslim, who was faithful to her religion and those edicts that were realistic and pragmatic in her approach otherwise.