I will always remember something my former religion teacher said: Religion is a human beings yearning to attach to something .
Photo by Lisa Beachler
In that sense, most people are religious. I would even go as far as claiming that we all are. However, there are other definitions for the word religion. Usually, the term is connected with the notions of a certain God, certain attitudes and certain types of behaviour. Such attitudes and behaviour can cause conflicts between members of different religions, and, in drastic cases, even lead to war. So is the influence of religions on human beings a good or a bad thing? Answering this question is extremely difficult.
Some people need religious guidelines in order to know how they have to behave in life. Those who do not have their own fixed view on what is good, what is bad or what is right
and what is wrong, might take some kind of bible as a guideline. Others feel lonely and seek comfort in the knowledge or belief that there is Someone, or Something, who cares for them even if they do not see Them. They also find comfort in the fact that there are other people believing the same things. Religion can help such people not to despair or give up in life, even in times of crisis.
However, the evil in religion is in the danger that you may become so engrossed in it that you forget there is a real life, one you can see and one you must live actively. There are people who think all they have to do is sit down and pray, and God will eventually make their dreams come true. They do not see the borderline between hoping for support from a higher being and handing over responsibility for their life to something they can not even see. Instead of trying to achieve some aims in life, they take religion as an excuse to be passive throughout their lives.
It is even more dangerous to become convinced that your own religion is the only possible way of living, especially if you try and convince everybody else of it. If one tries to convince others of his religion, or if he does not accept any other attitude, it is a sign of intolerance and narrow-mindedness. In the harmless case, such a person will annoy others, such as the famous Jehovah witnesses who go from door to door to preach. In most cases, this is unwelcome but inoffensive. However, there are also really severe cases in which people take religion as a pretext to kill others. The fact that there have always been wars between members of different religions is a sad demonstration of this.
Altogether, religion can be a wonderful thing for a human being and for the development of ones personality. ,This is only true, however, as long as you are still active in your life, instead of thinking God will do it, and as long as you accept that others might not share your religious beliefs and attitudes.
Saving the Tigers from extinction It was a hurriedly organized citizen’s meeting at Guwahati Press Club, where serious concerns were expressed at the increasing trend of poaching and killing of wildlife in various parts of Assam.
The EIP factor - what you should learn from it When we grow older, or get older for the sake of the argument, we tend to start seeing the world only from one side. We tend to believe, no, not believe but know, how things are done. If you are smart, you understand that it shouldn't be that way, you understand this is wrong.
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Maidhane says on 2005-02-06 11:36:13 about Religion
Thanks to Ms Lutz for turning our attention how religion could be a double-edged sword. It is sad that many people across the spectrum of the religions do not grasp the thin line, as far as religion is concerned, between bless and curse. My proposition is that it is a matter of interpretation rather than revelation. Being Moslem by faith, I believe in Allah. I submit to Him. However, that doesnot mean that I gave up living. Praying will help, but not substitute living actively. On the contrary, Allah, Himself, urges me, in the Holy Koran, that I should live my life to the fullest and respect the rules He setforth. None of the rules He setforth include being terrorist. None of them include to force other people of different faith, of different attitude and lifestyle, to follow mine. One good exampe is generously given by Caliph Omar Bin Khatab who recruited man of different religion (I am not sure which religion he belonged to) as a servant when Omar was serving as the Leader of Moslems throughout the world. Mankind was meant to be different. As for the preaching, one feels the moral obligation to save the people. I don't find it offensive nor unwelcome to hear the preach of those religious men and women. I only find the depth of their mercy in these speeches. They want to save us from hell, which none of us would like to go. Science and secular life satisfy the mind and logic; religion, in contrast, feeds on the spiritual realm. Life is not one and only a dimension; but rather, the safely and harmonious wholistic amalgamation and integration of both of them.
May Allah lead us to the right path.
Frostmourne says on 2005-02-01 01:38:18 about Religion, Blessing or Curse
Im just interested to know, if someone's religion dictates that they should try to inform others that a different religion is wrong and turn them from it, should we tolerate this religious ideology? Because if we do not then arent we being intolerant of someone's beleifs? This to me seems a paradox. If the government, for example were to be tolerant of a religion that said stealing is ok, then what right would they have to enforce the laws against it? I am very confused about this can someone please share their thoughts. i need to know the answers.
SusanL says on 2005-01-03 12:11:22 about Religion, Blessing Or Curse
I agree with the author; religion is a blessing when one uses it as only a personal spiritual aide and a curse when used as a weapon against those who don't share the same belief. From what I've observed too many (even ONE is too many) traditional or fundamentalist religions use religion in this fashion. I turned away from Catholicism over 20 years ago for precisely that reason, and consider it one of the best decisions I ever made. For me, secular humanist makes far more sense, but I don't expect everyone else to agree.
syedrizwanm says on 2004-03-19 16:13:30 about :)
Oh what excellent thoughts Martdawg, 10 cheers for you
yeni says on 2004-03-19 09:04:21 about religion
I see from the article that the author tried to show us lots of different religion in the world. But the difference should not make people go to the war. One should not force the others to change their faith. Just let them beleive their own faith. (Mr. Lutz, pls correct me if I am wrong). I agree with his opinion.
I am moslem. I was born as moslem. And I am proud to be moslem. Moreover, when I more study about Islam, I love Islam more and more. I know that lots of western people think that Islam is terrorist who killing people. So they hate Islam. It is a sad think because it's supposed to judge about Islam after knowing and understanding what Islam is. I, myself, do not like terrorist but still I love Islam. Wallahu 'alam bi shawab
Martdawg says on 2004-03-16 22:00:36 about Religion...blessing or curse
I agree with the author...it is dangerous to believe that your way is the ONLY way. That's what turned me off to Christianity...the insistence that Jews and Muslims are going to hell, simply for the fact that they took Jesus as a prophet and not the Messiah. Or for that matter, gay people are "sinners." I just don't buy any of it. Jewish people never did anything to me. Muslim followers never did anything to me. Gay people never did anything to me. And yet, the over-riding feeling I got sitting in church was that I was to hate these groups (or at least pity them because they're not going to heaven). I dare not presume ANYONE'S fate. This "we're better than you" attitude is sad, and I just don't buy it. "You believe in Judiasm? Great! I'd love to hear about it. You are of the Muslim faith? Good for you...if you don't mind, I'd love to learn more about your religion."
I would like to start a new religion myself: The Church of the Unconditional Acceptance. With this religion, I would embrace the teachings of Jesus, while FULLY UNDERSTANDING that there are other people in this world who have other beliefs, religiously, sexually, whatever. It would be my DUTY to unconditionally accept these people and their beliefs and embrace the diversity. Sadly, this religion would not be marketable, so it would be a church of one. But so be it.
Whether we want to admit it or not, even now, in year 2012, there are still big gender biases in some fields of life. While it's generally understandable that men should do more heavy lifting than women and knitting fits a bit better for the women (even though I am aware even here there are many people who want to disagree), art is one of those things where our gender really should not play any significant role at all. And within the past decade things have started to change even on this front and even on the more conservative arenas such as Bukowskis - the top Nordic auction house.
