Religion. Honestly, it’s something on which I have never really dwelt much. So you could go ahead say there’s something very wrong or something very right with me. Your call. I for one am not really sure in which category I fit in. But what I do know for sure is that while religion could be a part of your existence it certainly isn’t everything. No offence meant to the religiously inclined. It’s just what a mere mortal like me thinks and feels.
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| Source: Photo by Salvatore Vuono |
Now I’m no atheist for even I seek solace and answers from the unknown, unseen power above. I have faith, deep faith in fact, in the Almighty. Yes, I most certainly do. But I’m not driven by it. Or, let me put it this way. I look at religion as a source of inner strength but certainly not as my identity. And more importantly I don’t believe in looking at the world with religiously tinted glasses.
“What we need is just to be good human beings. Not exceptional, just good!”
If you ask me, whether I’m a practicing Hindu, I’d say yes but in my own way. I don’t believe in customs or traditions but I do understand when my mom follows it. Anything imposed or handed down generations isn’t my concept of faith but I don’t judge people for whom it is; unless what they believe in encroaches on someone else’s space and well-being. For me religion is personal. It is about the faith between you and God. It is each individual’s choice. And coercion, massacre and intolerance have no place in it.
You must be wondering why I am talking about religion all of a sudden. You are, aren’t you? Well, because I just feel that certain stray elements in the world today have become uncomfortably fanatical. And this plague is slowly spreading. Out of the blue every section is busy making blanket statements about the other. For some reason it seems more important to belong to a particular religion rather than being a human being. Look around the world, wars are being fought on ludicrous reasons like ethnicity or religion.
“I think it should be really simple. Good versus bad; not my religion versus your religion.”
And this folly on our part in letting this disease spread is helping roguish elements. There are self-proclaimed religious leaders who are ready, at the drop of a hat, to spit venom when it comes to religion. Sad part is they are protected; have millions of followers who are ready to wreak havoc, blinded by their misplaced trust. Then there are also some politicians who are quick to search avenues to benefit from religious turmoil after-all it is what they thrive on. And what do I say about our so call intelligentsia? One look at twitter and you’ll realize what I’m talking about. Every problem is given a religious spin. Unfortunately the common man, which includes you and me too, plays in to the hands of these malicious puppeteers.
I don’t know why or how something as personal as religion came to be at the center of so many crises around the world. I’m not well versed in history but I do understand some basic facts about living this life. I believe what we need is just to be good human beings. Not exceptional, just good.Shouldn’t be that hard, right? I don’t think that it is such a complex concept to grab, do you? Also, it’s always possible to be religious without persecuting, belittling and ridiculing another religion whether belonging to the minority or majority in a country. I think it should be really simple. Good versus bad; not my religion versus your religion. Does it make sense? What are your views? Is there some flaw in this line of thinking? Tell me, I really want to know.
I think the human civilization should be matured enough to not be led by religious sentiments. But again that’s just me. Share your thoughts, maybe I can get some answers.
Those are some very important issues that you have raised Naba. The way people follow religion these days is enough to put one off religion completely. In a country like India tolerance has to be the cornerstone of a peaceful existence.
Well said. We don't need religion to tell us good vs bad. If we can't determine right from wrong then we lack empathy, not religion.
There is no flaw in this line of thinking, Naba. This is the right way of thinking.if only the whole world thought like this! Maybe one day it so happens, who knows! 🙂 very well written , Naba.
Speaking as a life-long atheist, your points are spot-on! Well, said, Naba! More war and bloodshed has been perpetrated by religious fanaticism than anything else.
agree with what you said… if people claim that religion is necessary to stay good, that implies that they only do so out of fear of punishment from God. That is such a flawed concept.
Being good comes from within… you can be compassionate and loving without knowing God.
Being a nice kind human being is most important and compassion is utmost. I am an atheist and don't sway to religious sentiments. Wish more people made kindness their first religion.
There is a huge difference between religion and relationship. I have little to do with religion but I have a relationship with God
Anything that a Man has created is bound to be affected by our emotions and whims and fancies. And over the decades, we have tweaked it to our liking…hatred based on Religion is one such example.
I would agree with you, Nabanita.
As long as humanity continues to think of religion as something based in the idea of 'fear of God' world will continue to see such violence and destruction. When will humanity learn that it is not the 'fear' but 'love of God' – which includes all manifestation of God, the universe, the creatures, the earth – that makes religion, any religion a true religion? I can relate to the feelings and thoughts that make you write this post, Naba. Nicely done!
Good post, Naba. I think I have developed an aversion to organized religion because it thrives on fear of God. The respect for nature and its creatures is sidelined. If I can pray to a deity and find calm and peace, I say by all means. But the whole point is lost when it makes people feels superior and insult the very life it is supposed to revere.
Nice post Naba. Somewhat similar to my views on religion…I don't believe in organised religion, I don't practise anything. But I'm not an atheist as I will have conversations with gods. I tend to say I'm agnostic. I do think that we don't need religion to teach us morals. We should know good from bad and in the end, strive to be a good person and not intentionally hurt others. The number of people who are killed in the name of religion annoys me no end. If only people realised that religion is not about whose god is the best and that life was more than that and just about doing good to your fellow human beings, the world would be a much better place!
I am religious but not to the point of being carried away by it or be disrespectful to other religions. Its just faith and as long as someone is not blinded by it, it is fine. Religion never causes problems and have never been a reason behind massacres….people are the reason, their mentality is the reason.
You summed it perfectly with these words you wrote, "For me religion is personal. It is about the faith between you and God. It is each individual’s choice. And coercion, massacre and intolerance have no place in it." I've given up on religion because of this divide that you speak of, i.e., "I" am right and "You" are wrong…there is no separation in love..we are all created equal. There is also an expression (you may have heard it or not), "We are spiritual beings having a human experience." And I see 'spiritual' as different from religion. Spiritual being the (true) essence of who we truly are which is love. 🙂 <3
It is only those who are afraid to see themselves for what they are – good, kind,loving or not – who tend to rely on adherence to a set of rules to define their being.
I agree. The relationship between one and God is deeply personal. It should have no bearing on how we behave. However, as you very well know, the business of religion is at its all time high. So yeah, wars, fights and riots will happen.
I think we have not matured enough to think beyond religion. Religion which must make us stronger human being have made us puppets at the hands of few agents of god. Religion is connection of God with humans but in this world some agents have came in between them interpreting good or bad with their own will and thus misguiding the human race. I agree with your thoughts of Good versus bad
I agree Tulika…sadly a few intolerant people are creating so much trouble for the rest
True Shilpa…So true!
Thanks Vinitha..I too hope it happens one day
So true Doc..
So true Debbie…
Yes, it makes sense Inderpreet…Kindness should be what we need to be concerned about…
Males sense Carol…I think we should give more importance to the relationship with God rather than religion ..
Absolutely Alok..I think we have muddled up the entire concept of religion
'As long as humanity continues to think of religion as something based in the idea of 'fear of God' world will continue to see such violence and destruction.' True I think this is what is oe of the biggest reasons for misconstruing everything about religion
Agreed Rachna..I don't know how people get caught up in this 'my religion is greater than yours' philosophy !
So true … I wonder when did this all go wrong or was it this way always!
True Red…So true, it's not really the religion which causes problems but people's interpretation of it!
Interesting and so valid Ell… I guess it's more important to be spiritual rather than being religious?
Yes, I guess when there is something lagging in us or we feel something is missing that we search for such validations
Oh yes..sadly religion has become a business now
Yes, sadly these self proclaimed agents of God have made things worse