Choosing Religion - Is there a choice ?
Posted 2nd April 2008 at 02:19 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
 |  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! |
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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 ? |
| Updated 3rd April 2008 at 04:35 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:) |
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| | 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  |
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| | 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. |
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| | 'Life in your years' indeed dear CD In the Oprah's web video, I see that a new force is captivating US now. They are teachings from the East, from Hinduism and the likes. So there is movement of thoughts and ideas all across the world. The point is to be more open to them.... Interesting username ! |
| Updated 11th April 2008 at 02:54 PM by MeenLoch |
| |  I personally think we should raise children to be good human beings with the values of kindness,selflessness,charity,goodness impressed on more than which God to pray to! I ahd my grandson asking me if it is ok to pray to Jesus as he ahs to in school.He is worried that Vishnu may get angry!!!I expalined to him that all religions and all Gods say more or less the same thign is different ways.That one should be a good human being and be morally upright.He then tells me'I will pray to Sai baba Patti because he advocates that you have to be good and kid"!!!I totally agreed with him and wish that more people in the world would stop being fanatical and js-ust preach to their communities to be kid, non violent people!!! Hopefully some day!!! |
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| | Dear Ms. Kalpana, Your dream s not too far. It shall happen very soon. With so much exposure, it's hard not to be secular and boxed in own thoughts. |
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