Let’s talk about “Religion”

Let’s talk about “Religion”

Some of the ways “Religion” is described in the Dictionary as follows:

“a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.”

“a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects”

“something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience”

Over the last few years, I have delved into this subject of religion several times. I also have visited places of worship to listen in to what is being taught and practiced. And each time I came out with a wholesome feeling in my heart.

Over a period of time I formulated my own beliefs over the word “religion.”

I wondered first why there was a need for so many different religions by so many different names, for were they not all teaching the same fundamental basic principals, the same truth – Love, Gratitude, Faith, Ethical concepts and actions, being a good human being, and above all the concept of the Higher Power? I wondered why there was not just one universal religion named the “Religion of Love and Truth.”

I also wondered why there was so much confusion about which religion to follow.

Does it really matter, what word is used to describe my religion, if I am following the basic and same fundamental principles of all religions with my heart? Does it matter which name is given to God, if I believe in the concept of God?

Why are people not taught to rest in the religion they were born in, study the roots of the religion they were born in and know that if they followed it with whole heart, without the man created modifications to suit their own needs, there would be no confusion?

Why do people feel that they need to convert a person to their religion? Why are people not taught to respect all religions because they are the same at the root?

The space human occupies is so vast, it needed to be structured into nations, with their own languages and their own way to reach the ultimate Divinity. An average human when left without a concrete structure probably would not know which direction to take. Just like a child has to be protected and nurtured and fed to lead a physical life, an adult needs to have a structure to go on the path towards God.

I have utmost respect for all religions, no matter which word is used to name them. What I have no respect for is when people do shameless acts in the name of religion, for the religion in itself is never shameless; it is the shameless mind that tries to defame their own religion.

When religion becomes an act of the highest order, religion can start shaking hands with spirituality…where all one needs to focus on is the given inner world of goodness, where intervention from outside is not required. Only if one followed the inner truth of love, and only love…everything else would just follow J