Dictionary meaning of Religion: 1. A strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny, 2. An institution to express belief in a divine power.
I might be termed a psycho for writing something so strident or blatant on a topic as 'sacred' as religion, but the current scheme of events (terror attacks on Mumbai) have really messed around with my head BIG TIME! My mind is puzzled: Why are these jerks (read terrorists) performing such inhumane acts against humanity, that too in the name of religion?
A recent article in the TOI spoke about the 'fidayeens' or 'young-smart-terrorists' who believe that by sacrificing others and themselves 'in the name of god' they will attain a 'BLISSFUL AFTERLIFE.' Ahem, ahem, did anyone say BLISSFUL AFTERLIFE? Now that’s a bloody new concept! Right from the time that 'time began' (the gods alone know when that was) afterlife is something whose existence no one knows about. We are just forced to believe in inane concepts such as these, all 'in the name of religion.'
Our battle with religion begins right from the time of birth. Depending on the circumstances we are born under, the 'divine power' our families believe in, etc, etc. Throughout life, we are forced to believe that we are different from others, we have different gods, we have separate customs and traditions, different practices and that we must obey the 'law' or else face dire consequences which will be inflicted upon us by our 'religion' or our 'community.' This battle finally ends upon the individual’s death (in fact it continues even till the last rites are performed!)
If I am made to believe that there is a physical entity called 'god' who is different for different religions would be absurd. I’m not saying that I am an atheist, its just that for me, God is an all-pervading abstract entity who is omnipresent in all our hearts and minds in the form of our 'conscience.' All religions ultimately speak the same truth in the form of deities of that religion. All the deities point to the same principles of loving everybody, caring for the world, peace, harmony, etc, BUT, all in their own way/tone/style which gives each one of them something to boast about. This is the problem, this is where we are differentiated/ separated.
The terrorists have tried to nurse a new religion of their own called 'terrorism' (note the 'ism' in the end just like other religions of the world) whose dictionary definition is: 'The calculated use of violence (or the threat of violence) against civilians in order to attain goals that are political or religious or ideological in nature; this is done through intimidation or coercion or instilling fear.' Terrorism speaks the language of 'destruction', 'disease' and above all 'DEATH.' These attention hungry mortals are performing such acts to publicize their religion & create a new belief which starts and ends in hatred, agony and death only.
I called this article 'RELIGION: boon or bane' not because my religion teaches me anything wrong or makes me a bad person in any way. But I don’t like it because till today it has kept me away from the universal religion that I (and we all) belong to- THE RELIGION OF 'LIFEism.'
LIFEism(Humanity) is not governed by any deity and does not have any set rules/ regulations/ social norms which separate its followers. In fact, it teaches the same principles that all other religions teach, just that its scream is not loud enough for all to hear and follow. Every act against humanity is a scream by LIFEism in disguise to come and follow the religion of oneness, kindness, love and unity. It is screaming loud and clear to forget religious boundaries and accept every individual as a HUMAN rather than a member of a community.
Like all other religions that have a god, LIFEism has 'CONSCIENCE' as its deity. We believe in all religions because we can see the god. Unfortunately 'CONSCIENCE' is invisible and hence forgotten!
Please listen to your conscience and spread the word of life!
I might be termed a psycho for writing something so strident or blatant on a topic as 'sacred' as religion, but the current scheme of events (terror attacks on Mumbai) have really messed around with my head BIG TIME! My mind is puzzled: Why are these jerks (read terrorists) performing such inhumane acts against humanity, that too in the name of religion?
A recent article in the TOI spoke about the 'fidayeens' or 'young-smart-terrorists' who believe that by sacrificing others and themselves 'in the name of god' they will attain a 'BLISSFUL AFTERLIFE.' Ahem, ahem, did anyone say BLISSFUL AFTERLIFE? Now that’s a bloody new concept! Right from the time that 'time began' (the gods alone know when that was) afterlife is something whose existence no one knows about. We are just forced to believe in inane concepts such as these, all 'in the name of religion.'
Our battle with religion begins right from the time of birth. Depending on the circumstances we are born under, the 'divine power' our families believe in, etc, etc. Throughout life, we are forced to believe that we are different from others, we have different gods, we have separate customs and traditions, different practices and that we must obey the 'law' or else face dire consequences which will be inflicted upon us by our 'religion' or our 'community.' This battle finally ends upon the individual’s death (in fact it continues even till the last rites are performed!)
If I am made to believe that there is a physical entity called 'god' who is different for different religions would be absurd. I’m not saying that I am an atheist, its just that for me, God is an all-pervading abstract entity who is omnipresent in all our hearts and minds in the form of our 'conscience.' All religions ultimately speak the same truth in the form of deities of that religion. All the deities point to the same principles of loving everybody, caring for the world, peace, harmony, etc, BUT, all in their own way/tone/style which gives each one of them something to boast about. This is the problem, this is where we are differentiated/ separated.
The terrorists have tried to nurse a new religion of their own called 'terrorism' (note the 'ism' in the end just like other religions of the world) whose dictionary definition is: 'The calculated use of violence (or the threat of violence) against civilians in order to attain goals that are political or religious or ideological in nature; this is done through intimidation or coercion or instilling fear.' Terrorism speaks the language of 'destruction', 'disease' and above all 'DEATH.' These attention hungry mortals are performing such acts to publicize their religion & create a new belief which starts and ends in hatred, agony and death only.
I called this article 'RELIGION: boon or bane' not because my religion teaches me anything wrong or makes me a bad person in any way. But I don’t like it because till today it has kept me away from the universal religion that I (and we all) belong to- THE RELIGION OF 'LIFEism.'
LIFEism(Humanity) is not governed by any deity and does not have any set rules/ regulations/ social norms which separate its followers. In fact, it teaches the same principles that all other religions teach, just that its scream is not loud enough for all to hear and follow. Every act against humanity is a scream by LIFEism in disguise to come and follow the religion of oneness, kindness, love and unity. It is screaming loud and clear to forget religious boundaries and accept every individual as a HUMAN rather than a member of a community.
Like all other religions that have a god, LIFEism has 'CONSCIENCE' as its deity. We believe in all religions because we can see the god. Unfortunately 'CONSCIENCE' is invisible and hence forgotten!
Please listen to your conscience and spread the word of life!
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ReplyDeleteHey keep posting such good and meaningful articles.
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