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To a, presumably, educated person like yourself, yes, religion is likely more in the domain cultural evolution. Can the same be said for all? Many would claim to have a personal relationship with their deity(ies).

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In my experience growing in a muslim country -- most moderates understand this and imply it without explicitly saying it. And most of the education and the scholarship happening in Islam focuses on the Madhab, fatwa, hadeeth, and interpretation. All of which is merely people using their best judgement to supplement and evolve religion.

Of course, fundamentalists -- as apparent from the name -- read things very literally and "speak" or "hear" directly from God.

I appreciate the civil discussion and insight.

What is prayer if not speaking directly to a deity?

I can only speak for moderate sunni islam -- a lot of it is meditation and not very different from how yoga is practiced in the west. People gathered together in a room doing repetitive movements and sounds. The only bit of talking to God is when people "ask" for things. And It's not as prevalent in islam to ask for things as it is I think in christianity.

As an atheist, and someone critical of religion and its practices elsewhere in this thread, your faith seems quite reasonable. The notion of "ignorance breeds fear" is at play somewhere here.

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