In Defense of Religions

Religions appear to be separated in the values they teach or dividing the supreme creation at surface level, but the truth is every religion speak of the morals, principles and the way of life in similar terms. It gives a structure and a hope when people look for it. Spirituality cleanses the soul and makes one understand the difference between Maya and the purpose of one's life. Both help to reach one's destiny.

To quote Philosopher Vivekananda's Paper on Hinduism, which was read at the World Parliament on Religions in 1893. "As the different streams having their sources in different places all mingle their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee." He taught that all religions are different ways of undersanding and different paths to the same goal and strongly opposed bigotry and fanaticism".

Bhagavad gita, Bible, Koran etc do lay out a path- for people to follow a righteous and not rigid path. If those who interpret are conveying the impression that religion is for not all people,how can the words in those books be blamed. Religion based on where one was born, to a great extent gives one a feeling of belonging, a structure and an understanding of the society he/she belongs. Those on the pulpit (whatever the religion may be) should have a basic understanding of what life is all about and not fan the fanaticism among the poor, illiterates who are gullible due to lack of understanding or due to poverty which gets exploited. The words in those books makes one understand that service to those in need takes the highest priority and all morals are explained to help the society function- otherwise there will be chaos and life will be in total disarray. Might will become right for there will be no guilt.

Frustrations leads to tunnel vision. The beauty of our creation- human beings- is we can be whom we want to be. Victorious or notorious, good or evil- we have been endowed with all the goodness but the choices we make are our own. The light is appreciated because of the darkness. Religion is a way of life. No religion enforces what a system does.In all the horror one has heard, witnessed or read, it is not the religion but the choices made by the leaders of a society brought the sufferings to mankind be it Nazis exterminating the jews or the killing fields of Vietnam to recall a few. If you look at the world population of 6.5 billion people, most of us follow the righteous path, accept the law of the land and try to better ourselves and in the process better our community and the nation at large. No two religion speak of different morals. All the problems arise when we as human beings stop asking questions and leave it to the ones on the pulpit or the leaders to pave our path. Ignorance and self doubt contribute towards acceptance of untold misery because one knows no better. No reform of any religion will bring changes for the better until we want our lives to be better. Education is a starting point which can open our eyes and help us understand what the purpose of one's religion is meant to be.

Those who interpret religion to inculcate fear instead of faith, take away hope instead of giving, using their hands to push back for their own benefit instead of using it to pull someone up from the clutches of poverty, promoting hate instead of love, using ignorance to thrive instead of spreading knowledge to help them survive should be removed like weeds and then we will be able to appreciate the beauty of the garden of the almighty's creation, whatever the religion one belongs to. All religions give a structure and a purpose for our living. Prayers help to strengthen the soul in our thanks but deeds makes the almighty to know the creators efforts did not go in vain.

Experiences purifies one's soul, the struggles makes one to look for hope, fear pushes one to find faith, tears makes one understand emotions, sorrow makes one want to experience happiness. How difficult it will be to make one understand the sweetness of a religion if he has never tasted sweet.