RELIGION AND SOCIETY!

                                                               

Religion is the link between Man and God!  It is the path that guides the individual to the ultimate destination that is providence! Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Zorastrianism, Buddhism, Jainism are the major religions of the world! These religions have influenced generations of humanity in the universe The scriptures of these religions have shown the path for right thinking and righteous way of living for the entire humanity! What is the role of religion in society?  The Vedas, the Upanishads the Quran, the Bible, The Avesta, and the Dammapada and others have proclaimed in one voice the guiding principles of earthly existence! Pity. Compassion brotherly feelings, broadmindedness, service to society and Selflessness are the underlying principles that make Man’s life in the world worth living! But the time has come to think seriously and examine whether society is happy with Religion, Is religion a boon or a bane to society? Man has conquered almost everything in nature and  has even found out the God Particle! His scientific and technological achievements and innovations are countless and indescribable! Sky is the limit! But unfortunately the nature of Man has not changed! He has lost control over himself!

      Fascinated by the lure of materialism, he has begun mammon worship and discarded all principles of happy living! Religion has no impact on him at present. He claims a religion only in its name sake but does not adhere to the mandates it wants him to follow! In other words Religion has become an empty word! A faith cannot be called Religion if it cannot transform the individual into a good human being! Looking at world history we are amazed at the harm and destruction that religion has caused to the society! The religious wars between the Muslims and Christians called ‘Jihads’ for the control of Jerusalem, the tussle between the Catholics and the protestants, the antagonism between Buddhism and Jainism and Brahmanism  are startling examples of how Religion has endangered society! It is because of the strong and smart ways of the three acharyas, Sankara, Ramanuja and Madhwa that Buddhism and Jainism were driven out of India! The quarrels between the Saivites and the Vaishnavites are also very well known! All Religions proclaim that there is One God though in different terminology! The sassthras  say ’akasath pathitham thoyam yatha gacchati sagaram  sarva deva namaskaram Kesavam prtigacchati’—Like the rain waters falling from the sky running to the sea, all obeisance to Devas reaches the Lord kesava!

     Religion is living precariously in the world! Politicians exploit religion and demand votes based on religious castes and sects! Schools and colleges are started to cater to the needs of certain communities! The Government has reservations for Backward, most Backward, and other castes and communities, Christians, Muslims and a host of others creating chaos and confusion! More and more communities are craving for reservations to enjoy the benefits.  Hardik Patel in Gujarat became an instant hero for demanding reservation for the Patels who are rich and already well placed!  The Jats in Haryana created havoc destroying property, blocking highways and pressurizing the government to accede to their demands! Helplessly the Government had to consent! All the while governments say they are building a classless society! What an irony!

       Religion should lift the person from his low material status to a lofty, ideal and altruistic stature! Otherwise it fails! It is because of low moral values in society that we see murders, frauds, robberies, and heinous crimes like rapes and others! Neither have they fear for law nor for religion. Fear for God is totally absent!  This is a dangerous trend,we do not know where this will lead us to!  The youth of the nation should be counseled on the important tenets of religion and ethics!  We think that we are wise  and those rules of religion are old fashioned and obsolete! The role of religion is to refine Man and society thereby! Our elders were not fools to give us those invaluable human values! Let us follow our own religion, not hate other religions and cooperate for peaceful coexistence!