Humanity

Viswamitra · Nov 22, 2015

I have been asked to speak about the Unity of Faith in the spiritual center today at 11 a.m. What a topic to give me especially in the backdrop of what happened a week ago and the reactions worldwide! A few roaring in the United States that the refugees from Syria should never be given asylum here and their religion should be probed and so forth and so on. Some are screaming why the incident in the Western world gets so much publicity when something like that had just happened in an African nation and there was no publicity in the press. A handful of people are stating that a religion entirely can’t be blamed for the misguided few indulging in terror acts in the name of the religion. This is happening despite all the countries doing this humanitarian effort are careful in reviewing each and every refugee’s background. In the meantime, the French President announced that the humanitarian effort will continue while the effort against terrorism is also intensified.

Where is the humanity going? Is someone’s life worth less than the other? Where is the religious tolerance? Does any religion teach killing of the innocent is appropriate? Are we better of as a humanity without any religion or like the lyrics of the song of Colonial Brothers, “Religion is the reason, the world is falling into pieces?” Is the world going to watch the innocent women and children killed in the hands of a handful of terrorist in Syria because the rest are fearful of their own lives?

It is time for the humanity to know that there is only one religion; the religion of love, there is only one language; the language of the heart. There is only one cast; the caste of the humanity and there is only one spirit, it is omnipresent. Supreme spirit is the indweller of all beings. The entire universe is permeated by this divine spirit. We must realize that we are born to experience our innate divinity and not merely to enjoy the worldly pleasures. We have to take to the path of spirituality to experience our innate divinity. If we lack in spiritual outlook, we don’t deserve to be called human beings. In fact, it amounts to betrayal of our inner divine spirit. In fact, this inner divine spirit doesn’t expect us to worship but lead an ideal and purposeful life.

The symbol of “Aum” in the Hindu religion teaches us the entire world operates based on one vibration. The Christian symbol “Cross” teaches us to cut the feeling of “I” and let our ego die in the cross, to endow on to our eternity. The Dharma Chakra in Buddhism explains the wheel of cause and consequence of deed and destiny to guide how to build our character. The Crescent and the star in the Islamic religion teaches us to never waver but be fixed on steady faith of human values. The Star of David in Judaism teaches us the unity of all.

All faiths are only facets of the same universal faith and discipline. It is like a story of the seven blind men describing the elephant as snake, pillar and winnowing basket by examining the tail, leg and ear respectively. There is a deeper meaning to this story. We are all blind-sighted by the worldly Maya and we don’t see the true reality or the complete view of the eternal spirit. We make judgment by seeing fragmented fractions but the reality is integrated whole. Should each person live the ideals propounded by the founders of each religion, unaffected by greed and hate, the world will be happy and peaceful habitation for man. All of mankind belongs to one faith called humanity. The plants, insects, birds and animals are not divided by faith.

The truth proclaimed by all religions is one and the same. All have a common ultimate goal. All religions aim at promoting righteous conduct by transforming the attitude of man to bring harmony. The foundation of all religions is morality. Every religion recommends the cultivation of tolerance and respect for other religions, thus paving the way for non-violence. The followers of each religion call upon the one Universal Spirit who is omnipresent and who listen to all prayers no matter what religion they belong and what language they speak. At the supreme consciousness level, we are all one and the same. Truth, right conduct, love, peace and non-violence are our true reality and anything that is expressed to the contrary is unreal.

jayasala42 · Nov 22, 2015

Dear Viswa,You have taken a controversial topic for discussion.As expected of a great philosopher, you have dealt with the topic so nicely with broad aspects of all religions on earth. It is a fact that at least 90% of the people are aware of these facts and give importance to core values.Though they may not do exceptionally good deeds, surely they will never indulge in atrocities.

Yet just as a drop of poison spoils the entire drink and is capable of killing many, a few terrorists threaten the entire globe and people are likely to lose faith in the ethical values in view of the massive massacre.

As the way things proceed, it is likely that everyone comes to a conclusion that seeking to eradicate terrorism means discovering the motivations of the terrorists. Not a difficult task, many would say. The perpetrators of the attacks have all claimed inspiration from their religion. Osama bin Laden justified the World Trade Center attacks by quoting the Qur’an, Invariably “belief causes terrorism.” If religion is the cause, many argue, then surely eradicating all forms of belief would remove terror from our world.

It may not be out of place if many scientists are of opinion that religion propagates myths that are dangerous, and that the world would be far better off without them. I have read many articles conveying that only when religion is eradicated “will we stand a chance of healing the deepest and most dangerous fractures in our world.” “intellectual honesty is better (more enlightened, more useful, less dangerous, more in touch with reality, etc.) than dogmatism.

They declare with authority that the crimes done in the name of religion really do follow from religious faith and that atheism is in a way better.
Statements such as these are becoming more and more prevalent as society attempts to explain the problems that transfix and plague our modern era. The evidence seems to be stacked against religion;

But we have plentiful examples in history where religion was not at at all the cause of violence and terror. The absence of religion did not equal the absence of violence;

The cause for terror and violence lies somewhere within our inner nature.
In effect, blaming terror and violence on religion, as many today are too eager to do, is both dangerously reductive and shirks responsibility for the world. What many forget is that religion, as most of us know it, is a man-made construct, far divorced from the principles and values that God originally intended for humanity. Under this light, religion and atheism are both human designs and are therefore very similar in character.

It is true that no religion Hinduism, Christianity, Islam or Buddhism has violence as the core part. Religion as a source of inspiration helps to many to come out of earthly sufferings.Unfortunately the same religious energy motivates a group to make wrong interpretations of the same teachings. Wrong concepts and 'in between line interpretation' that have been interpolated have caused great havoc to the humanity.Actually terrorist actions are believed to be treated as 'remedy' not only to people who are victimized but also to people engaged in terrorism.
What was done to US in 2001, is being spread to France and stated to affect the entire Europe also.
Let all the nations stand together and fight terrorism.All our philosophical teachings of patience and forbearance may not yield decisive results. The presence of a strategic Guru like Lord Krishna is the need of the hour. Hopefully we may expect some human being or some energy may emerge to put an end to this global problem threatening humanity.

Jayasala 42

satchitananda · Nov 22, 2015

One thing that mystifies me is that people have their entire lives to spend plotting to kill or maim others who do not worship the same God as themselves or who do not refer to God by the same name. Do they really have nothing useful to do with their lives?

Viswamitra · Nov 23, 2015

Dear Smt. Jayasala:

Thank you for your excellent first response to this post. I had a interesting conversation with a Islamic gentlemen to learn more about Jihad and he told me that Jihad is in Quran but it is the fight against internal enemy (evil qualities) that is described in the holy script. Every religion when it comes to the discipline of fighting evil qualities, ask the human beings to fight with all might and hostility.

Calling religion as the cause for terrorism is just like calling technological development as the root cause of the children not able to participate in outdoor games. So many people being able to motivate themselves to join such terrorist organizations only shows how much of false propaganda along with money passes hands. In fact, religion is only used as cover to do their activities. There are multiple reasons for that. Human beings get easily motivated when an action is faith based without using their discrimination. We play directly into the hands of the terrorists when people say that a particular religion is the root cause for terrorism. Their purpose is served only when more people are terrorized than how many are killed. It is the individual greed that drives their agenda and not the religion. The rest of the world divided by various religions helps the terrorists to create a dent in the peace of the world.

There is a subtle difference between a crying child and a child which creates havoc by insulting and hurting other children. When a crying child should be pacified an child that creates havoc needs to be restrained to discipline.

As you rightly pointed out wrong interpretation when made in the name of religion, people tend to believe it. That is why scriptures teach us that we not only need to grasp what is told in the scriptures but contemplate on them so that we understand the true purpose.

A combination of humanity, unity and ability to discipline are essential. Some of the diseases can be cured by medicines while others require a surgery. Understanding the difference between the two is essential. While taking care of people who are hurting due to the terrorism needs to be taken care, a strong action is needed to discipline those who commit crimes against humanity. For that, all countries need to get together under one roof to fight against terrorism keeping aside all politics.

Viswa

Viswamitra · Nov 23, 2015

Dear Satchi,

It is a great question to ask those who get motivated to sacrifice their own lives to take out so many others' lives. What could be more valuable to them than their own lives and their own peace and harmony? Can they sleep every night peacefully? Do they think about their spouse and children when they kill innocent women and children? Can their family lead a peaceful life with tainted money received from suicide missions? Will they set an example for the next generation to sacrifice their lives and is that acceptable to them? Can they solve the problems in the world through violence? Can they escape the consequences of their actions?

Viswa

PushpavalliSrinivasan · Nov 23, 2015

Dear Viswa,
I believe the true purpose of religion is to foster universal love and promote the general welfare and prosperity for all, and therefore produce unity, harmony, tranquility, and peace.

The true purpose of religion is to teach the people to love one another, cooperate and with one another, and work together to achieve common goals for the common good.

Furthermore, the true purpose of religion is to worship the Eternal Divine Light-Energy-Source of our existence, the Universal Consciousness, and the Omnipresent Great Spirit-Parent of all.

Whatever is happening now in the world in the name of religion is sheer madness of fanatics.

PS

Viswamitra · Nov 23, 2015

Dear Smt. Srinivasan:

I couldn't have said it better than the way you described the purpose of the religions. There is no space for hate in any religion as all religions are propagated to promote love. The purpose of the religions is to unity people together for the welfare of everyone and love one another.

The way it is now misinterpreted to promote hate and terrorism requires strong condemnation from everyone. Peace and harmony are possible outcome only when there is unity.

Viswa

indoc · Nov 23, 2015

Being the devil's advocate here..

I don't think that every organized religion teaches equality and tolerance.. especially monotheistic Abrahamic religions teach that they are the "chosen people" and people of other faiths are second class citizens and are subjected to taxes like Jizya..

Ofcourse, they don't teach to hate, but they don't teach equality either.. Its this inherent so-called "superiority" in Abrahamic religions which is root cause of every conflict in this world.. past, present and in future too.

Viswamitra · Nov 23, 2015

Every religion has its good and bad practices. But as the day progressed people modified it and better sense prevailed. It is my understanding that most countries have rejected Jizya with an exception of a few. Earlier it was justified as a protection fund for the people of different faith. Now the world order warrants people of all faith to be not only tolerated but protected failing which it becomes human right violation.

I am not familiar with every scripture in the world to understand what it really said whether it is being interpreted correctly. But, I can't comprehend when someone tells that his religion expects to him to kill people of other faith. It simply means he is not practicing any religion and just using a specific religion as a cover.

Viswa

vaidehi71 · Nov 23, 2015

Viswa Sir,

As I am busy I am unable to write in detail...
You know the passion I wrote and I can keep on writing about the topic you have raised here...and you know how often I deviate elsewhere from the topic in discussion.
I will write after I am free..
What you have written is the truth and should be appreciated by every soul on earth...
Thanks for bringing this topic for discussion..