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 law or rules made to regulate society form religion. Thus 'The Ten commandments', Manu smriti, Upnishads give a lot of guidance to people. Gradually, these rules changed and now almost every country has a constitution and set of law. This replaces religion.
Religion is very much part of our social system. Even law pertaining to family and inheritance is based on religious customs.
We cannot remove religion. But we should attempt to evolve a scientific attitude and social and economic justice based on equity and fair play. We should fight only against unjust and discriminatory religious and social customs and not religion as such. Raja Ram Mohan Roy is glaring example of how to fight unjust custom while retaining religious beliefs.
Religion is very much part of our social system. Even law pertaining to family and inheritance is based on religious customs.
We cannot remove religion. But we should attempt to evolve a scientific attitude and social and economic justice based on equity and fair play. We should fight only against unjust and discriminatory religious and social customs and not religion as such. Raja Ram Mohan Roy is glaring example of how to fight unjust custom while retaining religious beliefs.
The law or rules made to regulate society form religion. Thus 'The Ten commandments', Manu smriti, Upnishads give a lot of guidance to people. Gradually, these rules changed and now almost every country has a constitution and set of law. This replaces religion.
Religion is very much part of our social system. Even law pertaining to family and inheritance is based on religious customs.
We cannot remove religion. But we should attempt to evolve a scientific attitude and social and economic justice based on equity and fair play. We should fight only against unjust and discriminator religious and social customs and not religion as such. Raja ram Mohan Roy is glaring example of how to fight unjust custom while retaining religious beliefs.
Of course it is impossible to remove or think of a world without religion since it has become deep rooted.It is being used by anyone and everyone for their personal gains , also a tool in the hands of unscrupulous people ...
Usha, you have started a very crucial topic here. Sometimes when I see the overdose of religion everywhere from various TV channels to front page headlines in the different dailies, at such times I feel that religion is overrated and out of context to today's scenario. But it cannot be removed completely, because even though the modern times cannot be considered barbaric, there are still those undesirable elements like drugs and substance abuses, nuclear families, dysfunctional families and so on and so forth!
Therefore, religion and faith are the only things that present a person with something to hold on to, a little flicker of hope that enables someone to hold on to his or her sanity. Yet, there should be something that would keep people from turning into religious fanatics and just have blind faith.
Therefore, religion and faith are the only things that present a person with something to hold on to, a little flicker of hope that enables someone to hold on to his or her sanity. Yet, there should be something that would keep people from turning into religious fanatics and just have blind faith.
Usha, you have started a very crucial topic here. Sometimes when I see the overdose of religion everywhere from various TV channels to front page headlines in the different dailies, at such times I feel that religion is overrated and out of context to today's scenario. But it cannot be removed completely, because even though the modern times cannot be considered barbaric, there are still those undesirable elements like drugs and substance abuses, nuclear families, dysfunctional families and so on and so forth!
Therefore, religion and faith are the only things that present a person with something to hold on to, a little flicker of hope that enables someone to hold on to his or her sanity. Yet, there should be something that would keep people from turning into religious fanatics and just have blind faith.
Agreed ! God, faith and belief although inter-related with religion at some point are also extremely personal to people.According to me Religion on the other hand can be compared to the leading institutions run by the heads bent on making a commercial proposition out of it while faith and belief can be compared to the education itself , am not sure whether it is the right comparison but that's how I see it now...
Usha, you have started a very crucial topic here. Sometimes when I see the overdose of religion everywhere from various TV channels to front page headlines in the different dailies, at such times I feel that religion is overrated and out of context to today's scenario. But it cannot be removed completely, because even though the modern times cannot be considered barbaric, there are still those undesirable elements like drugs and substance abuses, nuclear families, dysfunctional families and so on and so forth!
Therefore, religion and faith are the only things that present a person with something to hold on to, a little flicker of hope that enables someone to hold on to his or her sanity. Yet, there should be something that would keep people from turning into religious fanatics and just have blind faith.
Agreed ! God, faith and belief although inter-related with religion at some point are also extremely personal to people.According to me Religion on the other hand can be compared to the leading institutions run by the heads bent on making a commercial proposition out of it while faith and belief can be compared to the education itself , am not sure whether it is the right comparison but that's how I see it now...
No no, I think that is the right comparison, because any institution that we see now, religious, educational or otherwise, all have but one goal, and that is commercial profit!
Usha, you have started a very crucial topic here. Sometimes when I see the overdose of religion everywhere from various TV channels to front page headlines in the different dailies, at such times I feel that religion is overrated and out of context to today's scenario. But it cannot be removed completely, because even though the modern times cannot be considered barbaric, there are still those undesirable elements like drugs and substance abuses, nuclear families, dysfunctional families and so on and so forth!
Therefore, religion and faith are the only things that present a person with something to hold on to, a little flicker of hope that enables someone to hold on to his or her sanity. Yet, there should be something that would keep people from turning into religious fanatics and just have blind faith.
Agreed ! God, faith and belief although inter-related with religion at some point are also extremely personal to people.According to me Religion on the other hand can be compared to the leading institutions run by the heads bent on making a commercial proposition out of it while faith and belief can be compared to the education itself , am not sure whether it is the right comparison but that's how I see it now...
No no, I think that is the right comparison, because any institution that we see now, religious, educational or otherwise, all have but one goal, and that is commercial profit!
Very true, all our temples and otther religious institutions are overflowing with cash and wealth and do they even think of sharing it with the less fortunate? never, they may at best give free meals to visitors, and think of multiplying the wealth ten fold by starting educational institutions and hospitals...
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!
There are only a very few such places who will actually give free education and free treatment to the poor, but most of them are busy hoarding that immense wealth in the banks and not using them for good and social causes.
Recently the rift between some government officials and trustees of Shri Sai Baba Mandir, Shirdi, left a lot of speculation!
Recently the rift between some government officials and trustees of Shri Sai Baba Mandir, Shirdi, left a lot of speculation!
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?
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.
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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