Choosing Religion - Is there a choice ?
Posted 2nd April 2008 at 03:19 PM by MeenLoch
There was a nice thought I came across while watching Oprah's Live web event about what religion to follow. I wanted to share it here with my fellow iLites.
For ages temples, vedas, churches decide on what should an individual born in this religion should and should not do. What is right and wrong for him/her. What should he/she seek in life. What procedures they should follow in day to day life etc etc.
In modern day, with so much exposure and interaction, we come across people from various cultures and religion. It is time to open up.
You grow up with a religion as a child, but it s not the only way to reach god. It's just one of the ways. When you get exposed to multiple religions and cultures, you can weave your own "mala"/necklace with pearls from different religions. In this case you have created your own set of rules to follow with your own rationale behind them. You do not force anyone and you are being open to gems/ teachings from other religions. Often we find Hindu scholars reading about other dharmas too. The reason I feel is that, being authority in their respective communities, they want to give the community the best of what's there in the world.
Isn't this a nice thought to ponder upon ?
For ages temples, vedas, churches decide on what should an individual born in this religion should and should not do. What is right and wrong for him/her. What should he/she seek in life. What procedures they should follow in day to day life etc etc.
In modern day, with so much exposure and interaction, we come across people from various cultures and religion. It is time to open up.
You grow up with a religion as a child, but it s not the only way to reach god. It's just one of the ways. When you get exposed to multiple religions and cultures, you can weave your own "mala"/necklace with pearls from different religions. In this case you have created your own set of rules to follow with your own rationale behind them. You do not force anyone and you are being open to gems/ teachings from other religions. Often we find Hindu scholars reading about other dharmas too. The reason I feel is that, being authority in their respective communities, they want to give the community the best of what's there in the world.
Isn't this a nice thought to ponder upon ?
Total Comments 8
Comments
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Very well said and extremely well written! I liked the following two points especially: " You grow up with a religion as a child, butit's not the only way to reach god. It's just one of the ways."and "When you get exposed to multiple religions and cultures, you can weave your own "mala"/necklace with pearls from different religions."
If only extreme fanatics out there could understand it, the world would be such a happier place to live in - there would be no wars, bloodshed and atrocities in the name of religion!Posted 3rd April 2008 at 03:49 PM by CarpeDiem
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Dear CarpeDiem,
Have I got the name right ? Was trying to figure out the meaning. I even tried reading it back. Is this a place ? Don't mind, just got a lil curious. The username sounds different.
You are right. Fanaticism blocks the way to enlightenment. Fanatics are more into trying to force their opinions on others than following their religion themselves. War in name of religion should definitely end, given the proliferation and exposure we all have.
For that matter, some religions, expect the followers to spread it. What do you think about that ?Posted 3rd April 2008 at 04:47 PM by MeenLoch
Updated 3rd April 2008 at 05:35 PM by MeenLoch -
I think Carpediem usually is translated from the Latin as 'seize the day', or sometimes as 'enjoy the day, pluck the day when it is ripe' ..i think.. BTW interesting topic from Oprah's..Religions like Christianity did expect to be spread and so sent missionaries.. I think as adults we do have a choice.. based on influences in our life.. I am happy to be a Hindu and actively engaged in knowing more about my religion:)Posted 4th April 2008 at 08:09 PM by Anandchitra - Thnx for clarifying the user name AC. I thought it was cryptic and was trying to decode it. I know I should stop thinking too much.
New choice is what I am saying. What I mean is, you can even read about Christianity and grasp something you find good. You can create your own necklace
Posted 5th April 2008 at 12:39 PM by MeenLoch - Sorry for the delayed response. As AnandChitra rightly said 'Carpe Diem' means Seize the day in Latin. I chose this username since I do believe that ...in the end, it's not the years in your life that count- It's the life in your years :)
I certainly don't believe the extremes that the Christian missionaries go to in order to convert pple. I do think that every religion will surely have it's unique goodness that might appeal to someone and their lifestyle. As you said, you can then pick and choose aspects of each religion that you find relevant and follow it. Having said that, I feel that Hinduism and all offshoots of Hindusim (Jainism, Buddhism, etc) are the only religions that promote acceptance of all religions and don't condemn followers of other religions. So it is more easier to find good things that you like and are more acceptable universally in the name of humanity in Hinduism.Posted 8th April 2008 at 04:55 PM by CarpeDiem
