RELIGION REVISITED

If you ask me what I think of religion, well, I believe it's personal. As personal as when to have a baby, or even if at all. It's as personal as your taste in clothes, or food, or other lifestyle choices. And definitely not something someone can dictate, or that you should adhere to 'just because'. Instilling fear and invoking the wrath of the Gods because a ritual wasn't followed/ wasn't 'done right'  (who's to decide what's right and wrong, anyway?) - I'm really not sure that that's on the right side of cool. Ask me whether I'd conform to X/ follow X practice because 'it's prescribed', I'd respond with a polite but firm shake of my head. Give me a reason, a valid, logical one, and you may just see my head tilt in assent. May.

Here's the thing: sometimes, with the rigid definitions of religion we follow, we tend to draw (hate) lines. Make comparisons, or even worse, typecast a people/ community/ sect purely on the basis of the religion they follow. Just because a person you may know - whether directly or indirectly - is bad/ evil (gasp!), it's so easy to stereotype all the people who belong to the same community as one. Taint them with the same brush, only because of the one stray gone wrong. Doesn't this lead to lower tolerance levels, widespread antagonism and ultimately have far-reaching consequences that don't do anyone much good? And that's being polite, really.

Me, I'd rather I knew someone basis the person s/he is, and not where they go to pray.

PEACE

Minara Masjid, Mumbai by night during Ramadan

BLURRY LINES

Okay, so I'm touching upon what is a sensitive topic - religion. A disclaimer before I begin: in no way is this post meant to disrespect, defile, question, ridicule or put down any religion, community or sect in any manner. It's just that I do have (strong) views on the same, and hey, this is my blog, right? So.

I'd been doing a bit of thinking lately - in part due to my sudden interest in religion and spirituality - and had consequently picked up a couple of books to read. As with any good book, these two piqued my interest for the subject, and upped my curiosity to explore further. I found myself online, scouring the Internet for more information. Of course, I do agree that it may not be the best place to look for authentic information always, but hey, at least it's a fair starting point, right?

Why blurry lines? Because whatever bit of reading I got through, put these snippets of information forward: religion is more about a way of life, and does not entirely have to do with God as a concept. There are prescribed texts that guide one to what is the ideal (I will not use the word 'coorect' here) path, and how best one should lead their life. Yes, there naturally is a God/ Supreme Being/ Energy, but that isn't to be confused with how one should treat family/ neighbours/ perfect strangers. A God (if you will) is to be looked up to, to be worshipped, yes, but is definitely not a force that promotes or encourages behaviour that is remotely even anti-social, or that goes against basic human principles, or humanity.

At least, folks, that's my takeaway. What I want to do now is read some more, understand the reasons behind belief systems/ values/ customs/ conventions that different religions prescribe. But there's one thing that I've understood loud and clear: if religion isn't distorted beyond belief, it is a good way to go.