IX - RELIGION [Part-1] : A crude system:

    FOREWORD:           

The series of articles being published on “Religion” are my wild and random thoughts, only to explore and understand the validity and existence of its realistic purpose over the lives of the human beings. The thoughts reflected need not be my exact belief.  And I do not intend to influence the readers to change their existing religious beliefs and religious attitude. The purpose of the blog is only to help me and the readers to think and re-think at a higher profile of self-evaluation of mind to seek the various possibilities of arguments of understanding and comprehension in regard to a harmonious religious existence. While writing this series of articles on religion, I am not influenced by any other individual/s or by any organised system of religious and non-religious entity. I am not a theologian or a religious expert but the impressions are based exclusively on seeing what is happening around me on a day-to-day basis. Any criticism within the articles is not aimed at any individual or associations or organisations. Short and realistic comments and impressions are welcome for an unbiased debate.

One of the most demanding features in the life of a human being is religion. Religion or no-religion plays a vital role in all our lives, influencing the basis of our own very existence, controlling every aspect of our thoughts and actions. What is this religion? It looks as if all religions are primarily a mode of (crude) one-sided, one-way track governance for the human beings, suitably crafted and interpreted not only to lead a community in a particular branded direction but also to defend their (particular religion’s) very existence necessarily by look-logical (or look-sensible) arguments. In the recent years it has also developed into an industry, using modern management skills and nevertheless into high-profit making organisations and livelihood for many religious entrepreneurs. All religions are more or less the same in nature (probably different in culture and attitude) and all have a set of rules and regulations (and strictly to be followed guidelines) formulated to control the individual, the humanity or the mass in a very dictatorial, directional and uncompromising attitude. 

                   I said that the religions are a crude mode of governance because its very existence is based generally on the imposition of fear and blind belief over an assumed or non-assumed external force (God) on the individuals and the community. Of course it is sugar-coated here and there with "love", "kindness" and "compassion".   It is also used in some areas to discriminate one sect of the society from the others in the pretext of superiority over the inferiority. Religions take advantage of human weaknesses and build their domain and influence over the sentiments of those who suffer in various forms, either economically, socially or health wise. This is very evident and distinct from the past history of all religions. Religions use miracles (should I say magic) as one of its main tools of propaganda. The professed faith is usually based mainly on the propaganda material; the religious books (which cannot be disputed because of the “holy” status given to it), its imaginary or non-imaginary interpretations (depending on the comprehension of the interpreter or for the need to argue and win an issue) and various happening elsewhere.

                  Religions are supposed to be a medium to liberate human beings from the bondage of suppression of thoughts and deeds and to elevate them to a higher profile of harmony and interpersonal relationship. But just see what is happening around us. Maximum number of people are killed or persecuted in the name of the religion. Nations are divided in the name of the religion. Any religion for matter of fact does not yield but only challenges the very existence of other religions. The tragedy is that all these are done in the name of a “true God” and the impression that each religion’s “true God” is the only “true God” do not give any logical explanation for a harmonious society! To sum up, religion has divided the people. It still goes on dividing the people, the communities and the nations. All these are done in the name of the “true God” and in the assumption of attaining a holistic spiritual life, claimed independently and individually by each religion. What a contradiction! Can we attain a holistic spiritual life by encouraging competitions between the various factions or denominations of a particular religion or between the various religions?  See what is happening around us.  Just because one individual or a group of individuals disagree over an issue and are unable to sustain themselves within that particular group,  they immediately form another group (denominations or congregations as in Christian Churches) with the excuse that the original group is not good for them.  Where is the attitude of love, sacrifice, compromise, care, and concern?

Should this be the religion we want to be a part of? 
.