Religion: How we can perceive it.
One of the most controversial topics to be discussed on in the present enlightened world is Gods and religion. We have been observing various views and opinions regarding religious beliefs. But there are many things which still remain unnoticed.
History is reflective evidence of many riots, battles, and debates arising due to a difference of opinions regarding religion. Why it’s been happening? Perhaps that is because we have been looking at religion the wrong way. Or maybe we homo-sapiens have a really bad habit of complicating situations.
As human beings, we’re supposed to worship gods and abide by the religious principles of the faith we belong to. In our adolescence, we are told by our elders not to question our principles and beliefs. They use gods as weapons. But as adolescence advances to youth, maturity is attained and many questions are laid on the floor challenging the legitimacy of gods and religion. Youth is synonymous to being creative and curious. But our elders have some other thoughts. They treat the young generation the same way they have been treating them in their childhood. So when they are questioned about religions, they raise their brows and shut the matter by telling us not to think much and do what we are supposed to do. Well, the case is general thankfully. Children are born primed to worship God. They don’t need to be indoctrinated to believe in him.
Religions do appear to encourage people to be nice to one another. Humans clearly don’t need them to showcase their morality, but they help. Religion is ingrained in human nature and cannot be dismissed as ignorance.
Our ancestors created religion thinking for the welfare of posterity eras ago. With transit of time, we gave religion various names and introduced ridiculous traditions. Without thinking much we have been following them like a herd of sheep. Do you really think God must be glad seeing all this? Your deeds define your character and your character defines your true identity. Humans are recognized by their deeds, not by their caste or creed. It seems we fail to understand the fact. All religions promote nothing but humanity. But we appear to do slightly opposite of it.
Some idiosyncratic folks preach hatred and glorify it. We can easily witness how religion is being shamelessly used as a trump card by some uneducated politicians for the sake of votes. Some even try to create rifts between people of different faiths leading to mob riots which end in humongous loss of lives and property. But that doesn’t affect their behavior. Such kinds of monsters are being elected these days. Terrorism has no religion. But those sorry terrorists tend to represent their faith in front of the world and carry pride in doing so. Innocent kids are handed over guns instead of books and toys. Human is God’s most bewitching creation. He must be in remorse when He sees humans eliminating each other in the name of religion.
We idolize God. But do we even think for a moment that the idols we worship are really Gods? Do we think that they were born and simply self-proclaimed that they were Gods and we’re supposed to pray in front of them? The answer is NO. They were all homosapiens like us but from a different era. We made them Gods not because we’re supposed to but for their significant contributions towards the welfare of the society and humankind. By doing that, they conveyed a paramount message: Serve others selflessly. But what we’re doing, venerating him. That’s not what he’d expected us to do. Afterall “Service to men is service to God”.
I belong to a religion which doesn’t permit us to feed on animals and anything which is grown underground. It imparts non-violence to the largest extent. But what if I do the opposite. Does that make me godless and profane? Well, I don’t think so. I don’t find anything wrong in feeding on animals. It’s a part of nature and we need to accept it. That definitely doesn’t mean we all should follow. But we should live life on our own terms unless we’re doing something inappropriate. Some people say we humans are born herbivorous. That ain’t true. I feel we’re born omnivorous. It’s our choice to become a herbivore or continue as an omnivore. I don’t understand why some people brag against animal-eating. Their views are deeply respected but they should not enforce them on others. Live and let live. One religion legalizes wedding between cousins and polygamy. Do you think all these practices are justified in their respective holy books? I’m not blaming them. Maybe they have been put in a delusion. Maybe the exact words in our respective holy books have been manipulated by some culprits long ago and we’ve all been following it without any reconsideration.
Self-introspection is quintessential. We created religion, religion didn’t create us. I respect the worshipees not as Gods but as humans and that doesn’t imply that I mean disrespect. For me, the nature surrounding us is our real God and we’re its devotees. We cannot continue practicing the traditions which seem fuddy-duddy now. Religion requires reformations and advancements. Only by understanding what religion is and is not can we ever hope to move on.
Human is the most deranged species. He worships an invisible God and destroys a visible nature. Oblivious of the fact that the Nature he is destroying is this God he is worshiping.
