Civilization PDF Print E-mail
Written by Fethullah Gülen   
2006.05.30

Civilization does not mean being rich and putting on fine airs, nor does it mean satisfying carnal desires and leading a luxurious, dissipated life. What it really means is being civil and courteous, kind-hearted, profound in thought, and respectful to others.

Savage people are usually cruel, oppressive and bloodthirsty, as they usually live by plundering … However, what about those civilized savages equipped with modern weaponry, who are always seeking and finding subtle, deceiving ways of shedding blood?

Communities based on the joining of science and morality have always established true civilizations. For this reason, Western civilization remains paralyzed because it is based mainly on science, and Eastern (Asian) civilizations are not "true" because, in their present conditions, they have no scientific background. The civilization of the future will have to be founded upon a combination of Western science and Eastern faith and morality.

Civilization means more than scientific advancement, modern means of transportation, ships, and living in large cities with skyscrapers. While such things may be adjuncts to civilization, it is folly and ignorance to identify civilization with them.

If a given civilization is not based on morality and virtue and nurtured in the pool of intelligence and conscience, it is no more than a passing flash of illuminations that serves a couple rich people and excites some thrill seekers. What a pity for those who are fooled by its blinking lights.

One becomes truly civilized only when all human virtues and potentialities have been developed to the degree that they become second nature. People who think that civilization means indulging all kinds of desires, and who identify it with outward forms and modern fashions, are those lacking in sound judgment and who have given in to their bodily desires.

Comments
Add New Search
Write comment
Name:
Email:
 
Title:
 
Please input the anti-spam code that you can read in the image.

3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

Last Updated ( 2008.01.11 )
 

Reunion with Ourselves

The twentieth century was a century of incessant problems and the present continues to be the same. One of those problems is so very deep that it makes us forget all others; it is chronic and resistant to intervention and...Read More

The World Awaited

When we ponder great historical events we can see that thought and action live within one another, that they are interlaced in togetherness; action is, on the one side, planned and fed by thought, while on the other side...Read More

The Statue of Our Souls

The person who equips and improves their heart with faith in God and knowledge of Him in proportion to that faith and knowledge, feels a profound affection and a vast love for all human beings and in fact for all creation...Read More