“Need for a religion”

With such a diverse number of religious sects, Gods and belief systems, one can’t stop wondering what their respective followers or devotees are searching for. Is religion a mere legacy? A set of rituals that have been practiced by successive generations? Is it just one more piece to complete the jigsaw of life? Has religion been reduced to a hypnotic? To numb the agony of existence? A stress busting pill? Or merely an activity that brings a sense of belonging to the herd - mentality of our social mind-set?

The religious doctrines have shrewdly incorporated a slew of tangible benefits that will accrue if the follower gets indoctrinated. Either material gains, comforts, a hypothetical better life in the next birth, or then , a guaranteed berth in Heaven. Providing access to divine intervention when faced with the trials and tribulations of life serves as a very potent incentive to induct members.

The atheist by this logic is committing sacrilege and is doomed. Or for that matter any non-conformist who does not accede to all the protocols and practices of a specific religion? Like a primitive tribal in the jungles who still worships the rain and thunder? Is he condemned to reappear as a nondescript creeping reptile in his next birth? For travesty of sacrosanct benevolence. Has he relinquished his seat on the next flight to heaven? Of course religions conformism has never been detrimental. It forms a very important aspect of civilizations and culture. But surely, religious conviction cannot be a precondition to lead a good life.
Does helping a depraved soul mandate some celestial brownie points as a trade off? Can it never be pristine without the quagmire of religion or spiritual gratification? Surely compassion does not need any moral currency. Being humane, honest and compassionate certainly is possible without subscribing to any sect or community.
All the realized souls or prophets have always been very inclusive. They were great advocates of equality, and compassion. They experienced a sense of oneness, where every aspect of creation was a manifestation of the same creator. The successive generations and followers thereafter claimed exclusive rights to the tenets and teachings. This resulted in religion becoming exclusive. This fragmentation has been the scourge of mankind. The effort to be first among equals, to propagate each ones exclusivity.
The creator wanted his subjects to experience his presence within each one. Probably also in the fragrance of a flower, in the chirping of a bird on the tree, or the laughter of a child. In the amber hues of the evening skies or the unadulterated love in the eyes of a mother.
Don’t all these wondrous phenomenon bear adequate testimony to the Creator’s existence and benevolence? Even the almighty must be wondering –“I never expected such stiff competition ? Why are my children looking for me in hypothetical and imaginary beings when I manifest before them in so many tangible ways? Why has my child complicated his life subjecting himself to all these conditions and protocols? How can I make my child realize that the sprouting of a sapling is enough of a miracle for him to believe me?”
Religion is very personal and strictly a matter of connecting with the God within. Like the proverbial musk deer who keeps hunting for the source of the fragrance that emanates from itself. Morals and value systems have been incorporated by the religions to preserve the social fabric of society. Rituals and penances are more to promote discipline and temperance. Breaking a fast could scarcely incur the wrath of a deity. But such heresy incurs the wrath of the ‘Agents of God’ who have the very selfless task of ensuring my safe sojourn to the heavens. These agents – of God have become stronger and wield a greater influence than God himself. Paradoxical that they preach ways to reach the Lord when they themselves are groping. Reaching for him never required the crutches of any religious dogma. This segregative approach would only culminate in propagating disharmony. And that certainly cannot be the objective of any religion.

Dr. Deepak Ranade
(Consultant Neurosurgeon) Email: deepakranade@yahoo.com