According to Sociologists and thinkers , Religion like marriage and family is an Institution devised by man to regulate the society and its behavior.
In the olden days ,while people were coming out of a barbaric existence and moving towards civilization, they needed some kind of a guidance which was provided by the leaders and more powerful men within their community. Man began by worshiping nature since nature was all powerful against the fury of which he had no power.
But as things stand today, Religion has become all powerful with its leaders trying to gain importance and power by instigating their followers to hate and divide people.
So one wonders if such a institution is really necessary or needed ? Or does it need some reforms? I am sure as time goes by it will indeed change according to the needs of the society ...
20 Replies
The dominance of religion ever since the dawn of civilization has been well-recorded in the pages of history. I personally observe all organized religions paradoxically and contrary to their avowed goals of justice and harmony have played havoc on us. As we are all susceptible to religious overtures, all selfish and downright corrupt people have seen how effective and powerful tool it could be in their hands to control lives.Religion is as it has been down the centuries. It has undergone several evolutionary stages and the common educated people are still struggling to link it to their lives. But any thought of banishment of it from our life would be pretty foolhardy!
I agree, but instead of banishing, why cannot we ask for moderation of religion in our daily lives?? I see an increasing number of people who would skip important days of work, school, other commitments etc. so that they can wait in the queue outside some temples for darshan, especially so I see this trend on Saturday evenings to seek blessings of Hanuman and Shani so that their lives are without any worries. A very worrisome trend when I see school and college going lot in those queues!! Why cannot that time be devoted instead to fruitful endeavors at work and learning?
This is the kind of thing religion and religious beliefs does to people.They conveniently forget their duties towards themselves and the society they live in.Everything becomes fair - even violence and killings done in the name of Religion..
The dominance of religion ever since the dawn of civilization has been well-recorded in the pages of history. I personally observe all organized religions paradoxically and contrary to their avowed goals of justice and harmony have played havoc on us. As we are all susceptible to religious overtures, all selfish and downright corrupt people have seen how effective and powerful tool it could be in their hands to control lives.Religion is as it has been down the centuries. It has undergone several evolutionary stages and the common educated people are still struggling to link it to their lives. But any thought of banishment of it from our life would be pretty foolhardy!
I agree, but instead of banishing, why cannot we ask for moderation of religion in our daily lives?? I see an increasing number of people who would skip important days of work, school, other commitments etc. so that they can wait in the queue outside some temples for darshan, especially so I see this trend on Saturday evenings to seek blessings of Hanuman and Shani so that their lives are without any worries. A very worrisome trend when I see school and college going lot in those queues!! Why cannot that time be devoted instead to fruitful endeavors at work and learning?
This is the kind of thing religion and religious beliefs does to people.They conveniently forget their duties towards themselves and the society they live in.Everything becomes fair - even violence and killings done in the name of Religion..
Yes!! Actually all holy books, most importantly Bhagvad Gita implores everyone to first do their duties in a pre-defined order, in which Gods and all Godmen come last, but we conveniently put them in the front of the list!
As matter of fact the interpretation of religion has been done totally one sided that benefited a particular sect. They kept on converting things in their own way and interests. Initially this was all right when people thought and took them for granted. Now the way people can see realities and seeing with a wider view/scope they are reaching to conclusions that are more practical. Only people with very narrow vision are unable to see the realities of life.
The dominance of religion ever since the dawn of civilization has been well-recorded in the pages of history. I personally observe all organized religions paradoxically and contrary to their avowed goals of justice and harmony have played havoc on us. As we are all susceptible to religious overtures, all selfish and downright corrupt people have seen how effective and powerful tool it could be in their hands to control lives.Religion is as it has been down the centuries. It has undergone several evolutionary stages and the common educated people are still struggling to link it to their lives. But any thought of banishment of it from our life would be pretty foolhardy!
I agree, but instead of banishing, why cannot we ask for moderation of religion in our daily lives?? I see an increasing number of people who would skip important days of work, school, other commitments etc. so that they can wait in the queue outside some temples for darshan, especially so I see this trend on Saturday evenings to seek blessings of Hanuman and Shani so that their lives are without any worries. A very worrisome trend when I see school and college going lot in those queues!! Why cannot that time be devoted instead to fruitful endeavors at work and learning?
Frankly how beneficial the influence of organised religion on humanity is a debatable issue. The question that should be addressed here is what one perceives as religion. The talk of banishment is in relation to some coercive measures taken by totalitarian Communist states to de-addict people from what used to be described as 'opium' without any success. In the erstwhile USSR religious practices were brutally suppressed but those just bounced back with full force. As far as moderation is concerned,I don't think it is ever possible.
What I feel that religion can never loose its values and roots, but we have to see that we understand the right meaning of it. Living in the age of rockets and talking like bullock cart age won't help.
We should realize the actual meaning of it. It should be used for unity.
On the contrary this is being used for separating groups and casts. This has become a big political and social game.
What I feel that religion can never loose its values and roots, but we have to see that we understand the right meaning of it. Living in the age of rockets and talking like bullock cart age won't help.
We should realize the actual meaning of it. It should be used for unity.
On the contrary this is being used for separating groups and casts. This has become a big political and social game.
Yes and we are also supporting those parties.They are playing with it as a card.
What I feel that religion can never loose its values and roots, but we have to see that we understand the right meaning of it. Living in the age of rockets and talking like bullock cart age won't help.
We should realize the actual meaning of it. It should be used for unity.
On the contrary this is being used for separating groups and casts. This has become a big political and social game.
Yes and we are also supporting those parties.They are playing with it as a card.
Do we have a choice in the matter ? The only option is to select communist party of India which has its own deficiencies and also has lived upto the expectations of the people in states where it was able to rule..
What I feel that religion can never loose its values and roots, but we have to see that we understand the right meaning of it. Living in the age of rockets and talking like bullock cart age won't help.
We should realize the actual meaning of it. It should be used for unity.
On the contrary this is being used for separating groups and casts. This has become a big political and social game.
Yes and we are also supporting those parties.They are playing with it as a card.
Do we have a choice in the matter ? The only option is to select communist party of India which has its own deficiencies and also has lived upto the expectations of the people in states where it was able to rule..
I don't know why you have chosen a communist party and also crediting it ironically with living up to the expectations of the people. We have a taste of a long dose of communist misrule in our state for 34 dark years! Let a leader of this party cite a single achievement of substance. Truth is that it's just like any other party - a product of the same rotten political culture!
As matter of fact the interpretation of religion has been done totally one sided that benefited a particular sect. They kept on converting things in their own way and interests. Initially this was all right when people thought and took them for granted. Now the way people can see realities and seeing with a wider view/scope they are reaching to conclusions that are more practical. Only people with very narrow vision are unable to see the realities of life.
True Sunil, but more precisely not just one sect or caste, although there indeed was one dominant sect, but actually a group of people withing each sect and caste dominated their religion and twisted and interpreted their philosophies to their own benefit, in such a manner that they gained more power over their respective religious groups. Well, I used past tense, but the same is true in today's world as well.
The dominance of religion ever since the dawn of civilization has been well-recorded in the pages of history. I personally observe all organized religions paradoxically and contrary to their avowed goals of justice and harmony have played havoc on us. As we are all susceptible to religious overtures, all selfish and downright corrupt people have seen how effective and powerful tool it could be in their hands to control lives.Religion is as it has been down the centuries. It has undergone several evolutionary stages and the common educated people are still struggling to link it to their lives. But any thought of banishment of it from our life would be pretty foolhardy!
I agree, but instead of banishing, why cannot we ask for moderation of religion in our daily lives?? I see an increasing number of people who would skip important days of work, school, other commitments etc. so that they can wait in the queue outside some temples for darshan, especially so I see this trend on Saturday evenings to seek blessings of Hanuman and Shani so that their lives are without any worries. A very worrisome trend when I see school and college going lot in those queues!! Why cannot that time be devoted instead to fruitful endeavors at work and learning?
Frankly how beneficial the influence of organised religion on humanity is a debatable issue. The question that should be addressed here is what one perceives as religion. The talk of banishment is in relation to some coercive measures taken by totalitarian Communist states to de-addict people from what used to be described as 'opium' without any success. In the erstwhile USSR religious practices were brutally suppressed but those just bounced back with full force. As far as moderation is concerned,I don't think it is ever possible.
I agree with you completely Chinmoy! I am also not against total banishment, that would be very much impossible, but what I desire is moderation, and banishment or less importance be given to lengthy rituals and various practices in the name of religion, those do not make nay sense to me nor does it add value to our general well being to a person individually or the society in general.
Only a small eg. most of the temples are so dirty and overflowing with rotten offerings of various foods and flowers etc. that they only pollute the environment and is a big waste of money and food. Is that necessary? Where does faith lie here?
What I feel that religion can never loose its values and roots, but we have to see that we understand the right meaning of it. Living in the age of rockets and talking like bullock cart age won't help.
We should realize the actual meaning of it. It should be used for unity.
On the contrary this is being used for separating groups and casts. This has become a big political and social game.
Yes and we are also supporting those parties.They are playing with it as a card.
Do we have a choice in the matter ? The only option is to select communist party of India which has its own deficiencies and also has lived upto the expectations of the people in states where it was able to rule..
I don't know why you have chosen a communist party and also crediting it ironically with living up to the expectations of the people. We have a taste of a long dose of communist misrule in our state for 34 dark years! Let a leader of this party cite a single achievement of substance. Truth is that it's just like any other party - a product of the same rotten political culture!
Communist party is no better than any other party! Look what they have managed in West Bengal and Kerala even after being in rule for a long period (may be wrong but I think Kerala too had Communist party in power for long time) All they have managed fairly well is a number of strikes every now and then!
The dominance of religion ever since the dawn of civilization has been well-recorded in the pages of history. I personally observe all organized religions paradoxically and contrary to their avowed goals of justice and harmony have played havoc on us. As we are all susceptible to religious overtures, all selfish and downright corrupt people have seen how effective and powerful tool it could be in their hands to control lives.Religion is as it has been down the centuries. It has undergone several evolutionary stages and the common educated people are still struggling to link it to their lives. But any thought of banishment of it from our life would be pretty foolhardy!
I agree, but instead of banishing, why cannot we ask for moderation of religion in our daily lives?? I see an increasing number of people who would skip important days of work, school, other commitments etc. so that they can wait in the queue outside some temples for darshan, especially so I see this trend on Saturday evenings to seek blessings of Hanuman and Shani so that their lives are without any worries. A very worrisome trend when I see school and college going lot in those queues!! Why cannot that time be devoted instead to fruitful endeavors at work and learning?
Frankly how beneficial the influence of organised religion on humanity is a debatable issue. The question that should be addressed here is what one perceives as religion. The talk of banishment is in relation to some coercive measures taken by totalitarian Communist states to de-addict people from what used to be described as 'opium' without any success. In the erstwhile USSR religious practices were brutally suppressed but those just bounced back with full force. As far as moderation is concerned,I don't think it is ever possible.
I agree with you completely Chinmoy! I am also not against total banishment, that would be very much impossible, but what I desire is moderation, and banishment or less importance be given to lengthy rituals and various practices in the name of religion, those do not make nay sense to me nor does it add value to our general well being to a person individually or the society in general.
Only a small eg. most of the temples are so dirty and overflowing with rotten offerings of various foods and flowers etc. that they only pollute the environment and is a big waste of money and food. Is that necessary? Where does faith lie here?
As far as the preaching part goes I don't see much of a problem but all these preaching on unenlightened minds have turned them into monsters! Not only the physical squalor some of the corruption of minds only emanates from the so-called religious-minded!
The dominance of religion ever since the dawn of civilization has been well-recorded in the pages of history. I personally observe all organized religions paradoxically and contrary to their avowed goals of justice and harmony have played havoc on us. As we are all susceptible to religious overtures, all selfish and downright corrupt people have seen how effective and powerful tool it could be in their hands to control lives.Religion is as it has been down the centuries. It has undergone several evolutionary stages and the common educated people are still struggling to link it to their lives. But any thought of banishment of it from our life would be pretty foolhardy!
I agree, but instead of banishing, why cannot we ask for moderation of religion in our daily lives?? I see an increasing number of people who would skip important days of work, school, other commitments etc. so that they can wait in the queue outside some temples for darshan, especially so I see this trend on Saturday evenings to seek blessings of Hanuman and Shani so that their lives are without any worries. A very worrisome trend when I see school and college going lot in those queues!! Why cannot that time be devoted instead to fruitful endeavors at work and learning?
Frankly how beneficial the influence of organised religion on humanity is a debatable issue. The question that should be addressed here is what one perceives as religion. The talk of banishment is in relation to some coercive measures taken by totalitarian Communist states to de-addict people from what used to be described as 'opium' without any success. In the erstwhile USSR religious practices were brutally suppressed but those just bounced back with full force. As far as moderation is concerned,I don't think it is ever possible.
I agree with you completely Chinmoy! I am also not against total banishment, that would be very much impossible, but what I desire is moderation, and banishment or less importance be given to lengthy rituals and various practices in the name of religion, those do not make nay sense to me nor does it add value to our general well being to a person individually or the society in general.
Only a small eg. most of the temples are so dirty and overflowing with rotten offerings of various foods and flowers etc. that they only pollute the environment and is a big waste of money and food. Is that necessary? Where does faith lie here?
As far as the preaching part goes I don't see much of a problem but all these preaching on unenlightened minds have turned them into monsters! Not only the physical squalor some of the corruption of minds only emanates from the so-called religious-minded!
Yes, they actually have turned so many into monsters! Look in any newspaper and you will see so many stories of sacrificing others in the name of religion! :angry:
Communists are anti religious. But in practice, they have done nothing for social reform. They restricted their activities to workers, peasants, students, women movement and political work.
In this context, I understand that Raja Rama Mohan Roy was the single outstanding personality whose contribution to education and abolition of Sati system cannot be forgotten.
The communists could form some organization for fighting superstitions, against animal and human sacrifice and various tantrik activities. But communists have no role.
In this context, I understand that Raja Rama Mohan Roy was the single outstanding personality whose contribution to education and abolition of Sati system cannot be forgotten.
The communists could form some organization for fighting superstitions, against animal and human sacrifice and various tantrik activities. But communists have no role.
The dominance of religion ever since the dawn of civilization has been well-recorded in the pages of history. I personally observe all organized religions paradoxically and contrary to their avowed goals of justice and harmony have played havoc on us. As we are all susceptible to religious overtures, all selfish and downright corrupt people have seen how effective and powerful tool it could be in their hands to control lives.Religion is as it has been down the centuries. It has undergone several evolutionary stages and the common educated people are still struggling to link it to their lives. But any thought of banishment of it from our life would be pretty foolhardy!
I agree, but instead of banishing, why cannot we ask for moderation of religion in our daily lives?? I see an increasing number of people who would skip important days of work, school, other commitments etc. so that they can wait in the queue outside some temples for darshan, especially so I see this trend on Saturday evenings to seek blessings of Hanuman and Shani so that their lives are without any worries. A very worrisome trend when I see school and college going lot in those queues!! Why cannot that time be devoted instead to fruitful endeavors at work and learning?
Frankly how beneficial the influence of organised religion on humanity is a debatable issue. The question that should be addressed here is what one perceives as religion. The talk of banishment is in relation to some coercive measures taken by totalitarian Communist states to de-addict people from what used to be described as 'opium' without any success. In the erstwhile USSR religious practices were brutally suppressed but those just bounced back with full force. As far as moderation is concerned,I don't think it is ever possible.
I agree with you completely Chinmoy! I am also not against total banishment, that would be very much impossible, but what I desire is moderation, and banishment or less importance be given to lengthy rituals and various practices in the name of religion, those do not make nay sense to me nor does it add value to our general well being to a person individually or the society in general.
Only a small eg. most of the temples are so dirty and overflowing with rotten offerings of various foods and flowers etc. that they only pollute the environment and is a big waste of money and food. Is that necessary? Where does faith lie here?
I too agree that we have to go with the flow and the majority, who want to have the comfort of falling back religion when things go wrong 1 It is the belief and the faith that is important to an average person since he/she is able to draw strength from it and this is exactly what the religious leaders are counting on since it becomes very easy for them to play on peoples feelings and beliefs ..
Topic Author
U
usha manohar
@kiran8
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Friday, 29 June 2012 21:07
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Tuesday, 30 November -0001 00:00
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