YT 19 WHY OUR CHILDREN DON'T LIKE RELIGION (and ISLAM)? By Dr. Hany Atchan

Summary

This video explores the reasons behind the increasing number of youth turning away from religion, particularly Islam, and examines the West's antagonistic view of Islam. The speaker references Professor Muhammad Kottob's Prometheus Complex theory, which addresses the historical tension between knowledge, religion, and science in Western thought. The discussion contrasts this with Islam's holistic approach, where knowledge and faith are harmonious. The speaker encourages a reframing of Islam's message to the West, emphasizing that submission to God in Islam means empowerment and growth, not defeat.

Takeaways

• 🕌 The video addresses why many youth, both Muslim and non-Muslim, are turning away from religion, especially the Quran.
• 🧠 The concept of the 'Prometheus complex,' introduced by Professor Muhammad Kottob, explains the perceived antagonism between God and man in Western thought, derived from Greek mythology.
• 🔥 In Greek mythology, Prometheus stole the 'flame of knowledge' from the gods, giving it to humans, which made the gods fear humanity’s progress, reflecting a belief that knowledge weakens divine power.
• 📚 Historically, knowledge in Europe was restricted to the elite, with learning controlled by religious institutions until the Enlightenment challenged these limits.
• 🔬 The Enlightenment introduced dualism between theology and science, allowing scientists to pursue empirical knowledge while still acknowledging God as the creator of natural laws.
• 🙅‍♂️ Over time, some Western thinkers rejected the need for God, leading to atheism, while others adopted deism, believing God created the universe but does not interfere in its operations.
• ☪️ Islam presents a different paradigm, where there is no antagonism between God and man. Instead, monotheism teaches that God created humans to guide and support their progress.
• 📖 Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Musa (Moses) are highlighted in the Quran as examples of unwavering faith in God’s guidance, even in the face of immense challenges.
• 📜 The first revelation to Prophet Muhammad emphasizes learning and seeking knowledge through the relationship with God, showing that Islam encourages inquiry and personal growth.
• 🔍 The video suggests that Western misunderstandings of Islam stem from interpreting submission to God through the Prometheus complex, viewing it as a form of defeat rather than a connection with divine wisdom.

Q & A

What is the primary topic of the video script?

The video discusses why many young people are turning away from religion, especially the message of the Quran, and explores why the West views itself antagonistically toward the concept of Islam.

Who is Professor Muhammad Kottob, and what concept did he develop?

Professor Muhammad Kottob was a Muslim philosopher who developed a critical theory known as the 'Prometheus complex,' which explores the perceived antagonism between humanity and the divine, drawing from Greek mythology.

What is the story of Prometheus, and how does it relate to the Prometheus complex?

The story of Prometheus is about a semi-god who steals the flame of knowledge from the gods and gives it to humans. This causes tension as the gods fear that the more knowledge humans acquire, the weaker the gods become. The Prometheus complex uses this story to symbolize the West's relationship with knowledge and the divine, where progress in knowledge is seen as a challenge to God's power.

How does the Prometheus complex explain the West's historical relationship with knowledge and religion?

The Prometheus complex suggests that the West views the acquisition of knowledge as being in opposition to divine power. Historically, only the church elite were allowed to access knowledge, reinforcing the idea that increasing human knowledge diminishes divine authority.

What are the three groups of thinkers that emerged in response to the tension between science and religion in the West?

The three groups are: 1) Those who reconciled science and spirituality, 2) Deists, who believed in God but felt He doesn't interfere with nature, and 3) Atheists, who rejected the idea of God entirely.

How does Islam differ from the West’s approach to the relationship between God and man?

Islam offers a different approach by emphasizing a harmonious relationship between God and man, where God provides guidance and knowledge to help humanity flourish. It rejects the idea of antagonism between God and man.

What role does Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) play in reframing the Prometheus complex from an Islamic perspective?

Prophet Ibrahim in Islam is portrayed as realizing that all knowledge comes from God, who created the universe to guide humanity, not to be in competition with it. This reframes the Prometheus complex by showing that God’s knowledge helps humanity, rather than oppresses it.

How does the Quran emphasize the relationship between humans and knowledge?

The Quran stresses the importance of knowledge, beginning with the first revelation to Prophet Muhammad: 'Read in the name of your Lord,' which highlights the connection between divine knowledge and human progress.

How does the concept of submission to God differ between the Western perception and the Islamic understanding?

In the West, submission to God is often seen as a loss of personal power (due to the Prometheus complex), whereas in Islam, submission is understood as seeking guidance and strength from God to grow and succeed.

What is the significance of Marmaduke Pickthall's statement about the sacred books of Muslims and Europeans?

Pickthall observed that when Europeans abandoned their sacred texts, they flourished intellectually and scientifically, while Muslims thrived when they adhered to their sacred texts. Conversely, when Muslims strayed from their texts, they regressed in knowledge and leadership.