Religion and me

 

Recently, out of the blue, I was asked if I was religious, and it set me thinking seriously.  

Marx described religion as the opium of the masses, as it distorts reality, and that is a controversial statement, with innumerable connotations.

Religion is not easy to define, because it means different things to different people.

The definition itself is a controversial, and extremely complicated subject in religious studies, with most scholars failing to agree on any one definition.

 

My personal belief is that while religion is important in everyone’s life, being a good human being transcends all religious boundaries. It encompasses qualities such as empathy, honesty, and integrity and benefits society. While we all know that religion provides a moral framework, being a decent human being goes well beyond religious practices. It involves treating everyone with kindness and respect, and making a positive contribution to the world, even if you feel, that what you are achieving, is just a tiny drop in the ocean of life. Ultimately, it’s about fostering harmony, love, and understanding among people, despite their religious beliefs, more than anything else.

I am a broad-minded Christian. I go to church, and I pray as well. However, I would still be able to pray in a mosque, temple, gurudwara, fire temple, synagogue, empty hall, or out in the open, in a group or all alone- makes very little difference to me. I am less about formal prayers, and more about communication with a superior being, who I believe exists.  Don’t ask me the how, when, where, or why.  Let’s not bring science into it either – it’s my belief- take it or leave it.

Does that make me religious? I don’t know.

All religious texts emphasize the importance of leading virtuous lives, and provide a foundation for adherents, to be good within the context of their religious belief. Religious communities foster a sense of togetherness and belonging while offering support, encouragement, and a shared purpose.  One of the reasons why religion is such a personal matter is that it addresses existential concerns, that are unique to everyone. People seek answers to profound questions and feel confident in communicating with someone greater than themselves- in whatever form that communication is. These questions are often deeply personal and subjective, often arising from struggles and reflections. Religious practices and rituals also offer a way to connect with something greater, in the quest to navigate life’s challenges. It’s all a matter of faith and belief, and that is a deep, personal conviction, that goes far and beyond empirical evidence and rationality.

Religion deals with concepts like life, death, morality, and the afterlife, and it is topics such as these, that can evoke strong emotions, convictions, and differences of opinion. That is one of the reasons why I will not get into a debate or argument on the topic. Each to his own!

Over the centuries, while religion has remained personal, it has also had social and communal dimensions, while having indirect control over societies, cultures, and political systems. This has fostered both unity and diversity.

However, while religion has shaped culture and human history wonderfully well, it has also been associated with extreme violence throughout the ages- more than we would like to admit. While no religions support violence, the historical and contemporary impact of religious-motivated conflicts cannot be ignored.

Statistics may not always give the correct picture, but one only needs to turn back the pages of history and be stunned by the gory details.

The Crusades, (1096- 1291) resulted in widespread bloodshed, and millions of lives were lost.

The European wars of religion, (1524- 1648) which involved Catholics, Protestants, and other Christian denominations, led to massive casualties which ran into over ten million.

The Partition of India (1947) resulted in large-scale communal violence and massacre of unimaginable proportions. Once again there were millions of lives sacrificed.

The Bosnian war, the Middle East crisis, the wars in Syria and Iraq, the Israeli- Palestinian conflict, and innumerable others, have had their fair share of deaths too.

These are just some examples, and the appalling list goes on.  It is imperative to emphasize that these unpleasant statistics in no way account for all the religiously motivated violence, as numerous other incidents, the world over, have occurred and continue to occur even today.

Mark you – this madness, this utter insanity, is unlikely to stop, and I am no prophet of doom- just seems inevitable.

Like any other ideology, religious teaching can be manipulated and misinterpreted to justify acts of violence, and peace and tolerance are tossed aside without thought. Surprisingly, it’s not only the gullible or the ignorant who fall into the ‘my religion is superior’ trap. We have all seen those dubious, fanatic, radical, extremist, religious leaders, with millions of followers whom they sway with seeming ease, into a false sense of supremacy.  

The need of the hour is to be more open about religion, as it will contribute positively to our world in several ways. Openness about religion allows for critical reflection and intellectual growth. Encouraging dialogue promotes a deeper understanding of the complexities of faith and spirituality while motivating individuals to examine their own beliefs, values, and assumptions, leading to personal growth and a more nuanced understanding of the world.

By engaging in respectful conversations about our beliefs, we can challenge stereotypes, dispel misconceptions, and promote tolerance.