Religion is a sensitive affair with passions flaring up each time someone tries to adapt with the changing world and offers a moderate solution to existing problem. People love to talk about religion and how devoted they are while they hate anyone who steps on their turf or questions their beliefs. It is a tricky world with those who question existing dogmas being castigated as “narrow-minded atheist” who do not understand the true meaning of religion and are not touched by the divine. Somehow, for a world where being a part of the majority is the only correct thing to do, questioning ‘beliefs’ is not an option while following them blindly is the right thing to do.
It is not that the world does not have enough men with commons sense and proper education to bring about a change. The chances are that 80% of the planet is in a better spot than I am and can think with superior intellect than I do. Yet, judgment is often clouded by deep-seeded notions which are perceived as “Rules not open for questioning”. The greatest of scientific minds on the planet, men on cutting edge of the next step of human technological evolution, go back home and find solace in their prayer. For them, the two worlds are different; it is almost as if they like to live those two lives finding a way to make sure that they do not question one part of life based on another.
Religion, as a way of life, seems to have been born long back with man trying to find answers for many of the questions that he had no answer for. It was with immediate effect that sun, moon, earth, fire, wind, water and other elements that helped his existence became divine. He knew he needed their help, but also know no set way to communicate with them. So he made his own way, his own path, irrespective of what was the response from the other end, if any. He also picked his devils with equal diligence as the creatures that were a part of his immediate environment and caused a threat to him were pretty much carriers of Satan. With their amazing capability to adapt to any environment and with their dangerous nature it is hardly a surprise that ‘Snake’ is almost universally ‘Satanish’ in every religion.
If only we chose to take a moment and understand the origins would we know why and how our religions stand at a place they stand today. With evolution of nations came the quest to unify religions. It made more sense that with one god and one religion, nations would have one less thing to internally fight over. While Hinduism was existent since long, two new major religions came out over the centuries. One was founded by a brave, young and royal Jew who was scared of nothing professed love. The other was founded by a former trader with honest intensions and noble heart. Yet, with time, all the religions found a way to take up arms and fabricated reasons to create bloodshed and violence.
In a world which already has many problems to deal with, Islam is being increasingly perceived as a religion that breeds terrorism. Statistical facts actually help substantiate this. Yet, somehow the moderate Islamist is too silent to speak up against his more extremist brother and religious leaders with irrational thoughts are passing “Fatwas” in a hurry over everything. Christianity has found its evil with constant acquisitions being hurled against it regarding how aggressive the church is in enforcing conversions. Hinduism suddenly has found its own way of vandalism which is being justified as a way to protect its own identity from the onslaught of the others.
It should not surprise anyone when fundamentalist claim that their religion allows them to fight. It should not startle anyone when the orthodox say that following birth control is going against god’s will. “God’s will” and your “religious dogmas” are set the way they are because they were written in a world more than 2000 years old or thereabouts. If I was indeed trying to set up my own religion, I would surely want more followers so that it grows and flourishes. “Birth Control” is not an option for me at that point. But in today’s world, with population growth being our biggest challenge, it might be a bit better if you could get past a law laid down a couple of millenniums ago. Also while making my own religion, I expect my few followers to fight for it rather than lay down and give up when there is a perceived thereat, So, yes, taking up weapons and fighting made plenty of sense the, but not so much today.
History has seen some great men, men whom we call as Ram, Gautam Buddha and Jesus Christ. It seems that as human race we somehow are insulting ourselves and our own capabilities by giving a divine status to them. Would they not look more amazing if we knew that these were men who accomplished all they could without a magic wand in their hand or divine powers at their control? The fact that we human beings are capable of growing beyond the mundane and the ordinary to inspire generations of people and establish kingdoms of love and harmony seems a better version of it than someone from somewhere coming to lift us. The only sad fact being that we are adamant, ignorant and foolish enough to be willing to spill blood to sustain their kingdoms of love!
