Religion is a set of common beliefs and practices generally held by a group of people, often codified prayer, ritual and religious law. Religion also includes ancestral or cultural traditions, writings, history and mythology, as well as personal faith and mystic experience (Wikipedia).
In a modern world religion is regarded as an abstract phenomenon which has hampered progress and development. Although religion is regarded as anathema to progress, it can be used as an instrument for the unity of various religious and ethnic groups because the important message of love, peace and universal harmony cannot be ignored.
In the science-centric states and societies of today, science is considered to be the critique of religion. Many believe and rely on the information researched through scientific methods, because their conviction states science is reliable as it explains the unknown in terms of the known and the knowable. They find the principles of religion are based on faith, not on reason, and faith has no power to explain reason whereas reason has the power to explain faith. For scientific believers in pursuit of knowledge, there is no need for faith; the power of reason is more than enough to achieve results. Science is ‘organized knowledge derived from reason, observation, and experimentation and therefore is a self-correcting enterprise as it relies on evidence'. (Schafersman)However, science is never afraid to admit the unclear and unsolved subjects in the field. In the empirical methods of exploring, discovering and knowing, science has left religion behind, which is stuck in its ancient beliefs and sacred mysteries.
Scientific supporters define religion as ignorance and superstition. Religion is criticized for the dogmatism and rigid rituals that are followed in a particular religion. Many follow a religion with blind faith and rigid practices, by which they are compelled to follow the rules laid down by the temple in which they worship. It takes away one's free will and the ability to exercise choice. Religious dogma enforces a set of restrictions on one's actions and directs the follower onto a rigid path. The reasons for those restrictions may be moral in nature, for example ‘Do not steal because you are depriving another', or they may be arbitrary, for example animal sacrifice and idol worshipping.
Dogmatic practices do not lead to moral characteristics and leave a number of arbitrary restrictions whose ultimate justification is, ‘Because God said so'. Even in modern society, blind faith in God is practised by a large number of people following prominent religions such as Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. These religions have fundamentalist groups or sects, which even take up acts of violence in the name of religion.
During the Dark Ages in Europe , religion was of foremost importance for everyone. The Church was a very powerful institution which had its own laws, land and taxes. People who opposed the Church were harshly treated or given the death penalty. India had the caste system and the lowest class was called untouchables who were excluded from society. People suffered this fate because of religion's dominance in society with its dogmatic rules and taboos; therefore in the modern world many despise religious values and look to scientific method.
Despite religion being criticized for its past traditional and dogmatic practices, many follow it to encounter their spiritual self. Spirituality, on the other hand, relates to soul or spirit, in contrast to material things. Being spiritual is one's character or quality that makes one transcend the barriers of materialism, caste and creed and realize one's connection with the truth. All religions teach about spirituality or being spiritual, which means acknowledging the moral consciousness within everyone and generating compassion towards every living being. Spirit in all religions is regarded as the link to God and spirituality as the path to nirvana. Spiritual people in today's world are rare to find as the world is becoming more materialistic in nature, but those who followed the spiritual path have done or are doing great humanitarian acts. For example, Mother Teresa dedicated her entire life to uplifting the poor by educating them and providing them with the basic necessities. During their religious festivals people distribute food and gifts to the needy from their temples. Muslims do this generous act and during Ramadan to help the needy in society.
In the science-centric states and societies of today, science is considered to be the critique of religion. Many believe and rely on the information researched through scientific methods, because their conviction states science is reliable as it explains the unknown in terms of the known and the knowable. They find the principles of religion are based on faith, not on reason, and faith has no power to explain reason whereas reason has the power to explain faith. For scientific believers in pursuit of knowledge, there is no need for faith; the power of reason is more than enough to achieve results. Science is ‘organized knowledge derived from reason, observation, and experimentation and therefore is a self-correcting enterprise as it relies on evidence'. (Schafersman)However, science is never afraid to admit the unclear and unsolved subjects in the field. In the empirical methods of exploring, discovering and knowing, science has left religion behind, which is stuck in its ancient beliefs and sacred mysteries.
Scientific supporters define religion as ignorance and superstition. Religion is criticized for the dogmatism and rigid rituals that are followed in a particular religion. Many follow a religion with blind faith and rigid practices, by which they are compelled to follow the rules laid down by the temple in which they worship. It takes away one's free will and the ability to exercise choice. Religious dogma enforces a set of restrictions on one's actions and directs the follower onto a rigid path. The reasons for those restrictions may be moral in nature, for example ‘Do not steal because you are depriving another', or they may be arbitrary, for example animal sacrifice and idol worshipping.
Dogmatic practices do not lead to moral characteristics and leave a number of arbitrary restrictions whose ultimate justification is, ‘Because God said so'. Even in modern society, blind faith in God is practised by a large number of people following prominent religions such as Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. These religions have fundamentalist groups or sects, which even take up acts of violence in the name of religion.
During the Dark Ages in Europe , religion was of foremost importance for everyone. The Church was a very powerful institution which had its own laws, land and taxes. People who opposed the Church were harshly treated or given the death penalty. India had the caste system and the lowest class was called untouchables who were excluded from society. People suffered this fate because of religion's dominance in society with its dogmatic rules and taboos; therefore in the modern world many despise religious values and look to scientific method.
Despite religion being criticized for its past traditional and dogmatic practices, many follow it to encounter their spiritual self. Spirituality, on the other hand, relates to soul or spirit, in contrast to material things. Being spiritual is one's character or quality that makes one transcend the barriers of materialism, caste and creed and realize one's connection with the truth. All religions teach about spirituality or being spiritual, which means acknowledging the moral consciousness within everyone and generating compassion towards every living being. Spirit in all religions is regarded as the link to God and spirituality as the path to nirvana. Spiritual people in today's world are rare to find as the world is becoming more materialistic in nature, but those who followed the spiritual path have done or are doing great humanitarian acts. For example, Mother Teresa dedicated her entire life to uplifting the poor by educating them and providing them with the basic necessities. During their religious festivals people distribute food and gifts to the needy from their temples. Muslims do this generous act and during Ramadan to help the needy in society.
However, religious teachings have been regarded as anathema to development because of misinterpretation and the loss of true message of the religion. A particular religion does not promote ancient and traditional rituals, but even the religions have changed with time. New religions like Bahai and Huniyan have emerged and there are movements of revitalization in Islam and Hinduism. ‘The Baha'i emphasize oneness of humankind and the need for global justice administered by a world government which would watch the needs for all'. (Tyndale) They believe in unity of God, unity of religion and unity of mankind. In Huniyan the emphasis of teachings is on Karma (actions) rather than rituals or practices. ‘The karma theory produces a logic of internal change.' (Obeyesekere)
These new religions are evidence of religion not obstructing the path of progress, but in fact lending a hand towards development and oneness of humanity. Revitalization of Islam has lead to secularization of western culture and processes of urbanization, national integration and spread of literacy. Revitalization of Hinduism has lead to new Hindu religious movements like the ‘neo-Sannyasa' movement, which is liberal. Ancient practices such as dowry and sati (when the wife was burned with her husband at his death) have been abolished. Gandhi's teachings are also widespread and popular throughout the country, which state ‘if only everyone took enough for their own needs and nothing more there will be no poverty in this world'. (Tyndale).
These amendments to ancient religions are proof of the world coming together and adopting policies for a unified and secular world proceeding towards globalization. Old religions have transformed the ancient schools of thoughts into something more appropriate for the youth and modern society in a global world. New religions are laid down on the principles of modern, secular and liberal thoughts. These reformations and birth of religions prove that religion is not anathema to progress but in fact are key factors in promoting unification of the world and breaking the traditional and ancient barriers which separated people from working together towards humanitarian causes of universal harmony.
Although there are many religions in the world, the messages given by all have a common objective. Religious followers pray to different Gods but the message preached by the God or the message in the holy scriptures such as the Gita, the Qur'an or the Bible refers to brotherhood, peace and love. No religious doctrine tells a follower to commit acts of violence or to harm others in the name of a religion. In the world today many are fighting wars in the name of religion or taking up acts of terror - such as in the struggle between Palestine and Israel - but the people who suffer from conflict's devastation are none other than innocent citizens who become homeless. No holy book teaches conflict with others on the basis of caste, color or creed. The Qur'an states that “mankind has been created from a single soul, as male and female, communities and nations, so that people may know one another. The divine spark that bestows individuality also bonds individuals in common humanity”. Sikhism states that “God loves all, without distinction of place, creed or social or economic standing of individuals or groups”. The Taoist scripture Redeeming the Dead puts forward the view of ‘Equality and Affection'. (Tyndale) These religions belong to different regions of the world but the viewpoint they lay down is a common principle among all religions.
In the vision of God all are equal - whether it be a man or a woman, a child or an adult, a prince or a peasant. God does not discriminate or is biased towards a particular creed; it's the outcome of his actions by which a person will be judged. However, the ultimate goal is to live in harmony and peace with other people, whether you have a common background or not.
To conclude, atheists believe religion to be anathema to progress and to bringing the world together to work under the same roof. To an extent they are right, as conflicts have taken place throughout our history and even currently wars are taking place in name of religion. Although religion does not teach anyone to engage in a war or commit acts of terror, it is religions' misinterpreted message that has mislead many to act out violence. Religion preaches and teaches one to be spiritual and to explore his or her inner self. Religions have changed with time: either they are revised or new religions have emerged with improved principles favoring universal harmony and peace. All religions promote self-development to be better human beings. There are different gods and religions but all have the same guidelines leading to equality and love and no discrimination on basis of religion. Our code of conduct should be based on values such as generosity, integrity, compassion and justice. This is the essence of religion, which is up to us to maintain.
These new religions are evidence of religion not obstructing the path of progress, but in fact lending a hand towards development and oneness of humanity. Revitalization of Islam has lead to secularization of western culture and processes of urbanization, national integration and spread of literacy. Revitalization of Hinduism has lead to new Hindu religious movements like the ‘neo-Sannyasa' movement, which is liberal. Ancient practices such as dowry and sati (when the wife was burned with her husband at his death) have been abolished. Gandhi's teachings are also widespread and popular throughout the country, which state ‘if only everyone took enough for their own needs and nothing more there will be no poverty in this world'. (Tyndale).
These amendments to ancient religions are proof of the world coming together and adopting policies for a unified and secular world proceeding towards globalization. Old religions have transformed the ancient schools of thoughts into something more appropriate for the youth and modern society in a global world. New religions are laid down on the principles of modern, secular and liberal thoughts. These reformations and birth of religions prove that religion is not anathema to progress but in fact are key factors in promoting unification of the world and breaking the traditional and ancient barriers which separated people from working together towards humanitarian causes of universal harmony.
Although there are many religions in the world, the messages given by all have a common objective. Religious followers pray to different Gods but the message preached by the God or the message in the holy scriptures such as the Gita, the Qur'an or the Bible refers to brotherhood, peace and love. No religious doctrine tells a follower to commit acts of violence or to harm others in the name of a religion. In the world today many are fighting wars in the name of religion or taking up acts of terror - such as in the struggle between Palestine and Israel - but the people who suffer from conflict's devastation are none other than innocent citizens who become homeless. No holy book teaches conflict with others on the basis of caste, color or creed. The Qur'an states that “mankind has been created from a single soul, as male and female, communities and nations, so that people may know one another. The divine spark that bestows individuality also bonds individuals in common humanity”. Sikhism states that “God loves all, without distinction of place, creed or social or economic standing of individuals or groups”. The Taoist scripture Redeeming the Dead puts forward the view of ‘Equality and Affection'. (Tyndale) These religions belong to different regions of the world but the viewpoint they lay down is a common principle among all religions.
In the vision of God all are equal - whether it be a man or a woman, a child or an adult, a prince or a peasant. God does not discriminate or is biased towards a particular creed; it's the outcome of his actions by which a person will be judged. However, the ultimate goal is to live in harmony and peace with other people, whether you have a common background or not.
To conclude, atheists believe religion to be anathema to progress and to bringing the world together to work under the same roof. To an extent they are right, as conflicts have taken place throughout our history and even currently wars are taking place in name of religion. Although religion does not teach anyone to engage in a war or commit acts of terror, it is religions' misinterpreted message that has mislead many to act out violence. Religion preaches and teaches one to be spiritual and to explore his or her inner self. Religions have changed with time: either they are revised or new religions have emerged with improved principles favoring universal harmony and peace. All religions promote self-development to be better human beings. There are different gods and religions but all have the same guidelines leading to equality and love and no discrimination on basis of religion. Our code of conduct should be based on values such as generosity, integrity, compassion and justice. This is the essence of religion, which is up to us to maintain.
