What is the need for religion? Will it not be possible for man to live without religion? Some times we ask these questions. The answer is that without religion man is likely to drift without proper direction! Religion is the link or bridge between God and man. Unfortunately religion has become the cause for many conflicts, wars and much destruction in the world. The noble principles of religions have been distorted, twisted, by the followers to cause violence, and hatred among others. The religious wars or ‘Jihads' between the Muslims and Christians for Jerusalem ended in a holocaust! Hundreds of thousands of innocent people were killed. The conflict between the Church and the State in England is too very well known. Modern society is in a confused state and is still uncertain about the usefulness of religion and its merits. The question arises whether religion is a boon or bane to the society. Different religions were established to foster unity, brotherhood and devotion that constitute the sacred qualities of mankind. Religion brings in the fundamental guidelines for right living as well as development of human personality. “ It provides a link between the individual and Divinity. Love, sacrifice, service and righteousness are the four limbs of religion” says Bhagawan Sri Sri Satya Sai Baba. (SSS Vol 7B)
All religions preach unity for the well-being of society. The mandates of all religions are: 1 to stick to the path of Truth and 2 encourage development of good qualities. The essence of all religions is one and the same. Is religion the cause for all the conflict, violence and bitterness in the world? No. It is because of the selfish followers and their narrow practices that religions have turned into narrow creeds. There is a feeling among people that religion is a bunch of principles and of strict do's and don’ts ordained for being followed. This is a wrong conception. The aim of religion is to remind man of his Divine source and assist him to return to his origin God. “ Like trailing clouds of glory do we come from God who is our home” says William Wordsworth the Nature poet. There is an inter relationship between all faiths since the principles they teach and the disciplines they recommend are one and the same. “ The Vedic Religion was the first in time; Buddhism which appeared about 2500 years ago, was its son; Christianity, which was influenced much by the Orient was its grandson. And Islam, which has the prophets of Christianity at its base, was the great grandson. All have Love as the Fundamental Discipline of the Mind, in order to chasten it and merge man with the Divine.” (SSS Vol X)
All the great religions of the world are different ways to reach God in the same way as all the rivers reach the ocean. No religion can be declared as the only one. It is ignorance and foolishness to consider one religion as superior to another religion. Like the mother, dear to the individual, every religion is dear to the follower of that faith. It is religion that forms three forth character! Merely following or observing the sacraments shall not make man religious. He should exhibit what religion demands viz uprightness and compassion. None can be blamed for the neglect of the cardinal principles of religion. We are responsible for our own false sense of values as a result of our weak faith. Sacred qualities of unity and fellow being and devotion are absolutely essential for every human being. Thus came in to being the great religions of the world, established by some great souls. Religion is a step towards development of human personality. There is no basis for differences between religions as their essence is one and the same, ‘the scriptures proclaim the same truth and when the goal of all human effort is one.'
Religions direct us to love all and live in harmony with everyone in society. Christianity and Islam have this as their basis. The great Sikh Guru Nanak preferred community prayers to isolated individual prayers. Congregational prayers would melt the heart of the Almighty. At least, one pure heart's prayer would reach God! Thus community bhajans and prayers became popular. Why is it that religion has become the cause for conflict and violence? It is because of man’s obsession for power, position and success. Religion, thus, came to be used as an instrument of torture and persecution. Instead of uniting people it divided them into mutual warring camps. Man gloats over his advancement and civilization but he has utterly and miserably failed in understanding religion! Religious animosity is still flaring all over the world!
No religion should decry other religion or faith. All religions are great in their own way and strive for the salvation of man. It is religion that reveals the sublime feelings in man and makes him serve the society. It brings out all that is great, blissful and good in men and demonstrates the unity of mankind. In this context, what Swami has said is very significant! “ There is only one religion, The religion of Love; There is only one caste, The caste of humanity; There is only one language, The language of the heart; There is only one God; He is omnipresent” (SSS Vol 8) Until society realizes this universal principles of unity of religions and the oneness of God and the sacred quality of Love, there cannot be peace and tranquility in the world torn by religious conflicts! Let us hope good sense would prevail among humanity!
All religions preach unity for the well-being of society. The mandates of all religions are: 1 to stick to the path of Truth and 2 encourage development of good qualities. The essence of all religions is one and the same. Is religion the cause for all the conflict, violence and bitterness in the world? No. It is because of the selfish followers and their narrow practices that religions have turned into narrow creeds. There is a feeling among people that religion is a bunch of principles and of strict do's and don’ts ordained for being followed. This is a wrong conception. The aim of religion is to remind man of his Divine source and assist him to return to his origin God. “ Like trailing clouds of glory do we come from God who is our home” says William Wordsworth the Nature poet. There is an inter relationship between all faiths since the principles they teach and the disciplines they recommend are one and the same. “ The Vedic Religion was the first in time; Buddhism which appeared about 2500 years ago, was its son; Christianity, which was influenced much by the Orient was its grandson. And Islam, which has the prophets of Christianity at its base, was the great grandson. All have Love as the Fundamental Discipline of the Mind, in order to chasten it and merge man with the Divine.” (SSS Vol X)
All the great religions of the world are different ways to reach God in the same way as all the rivers reach the ocean. No religion can be declared as the only one. It is ignorance and foolishness to consider one religion as superior to another religion. Like the mother, dear to the individual, every religion is dear to the follower of that faith. It is religion that forms three forth character! Merely following or observing the sacraments shall not make man religious. He should exhibit what religion demands viz uprightness and compassion. None can be blamed for the neglect of the cardinal principles of religion. We are responsible for our own false sense of values as a result of our weak faith. Sacred qualities of unity and fellow being and devotion are absolutely essential for every human being. Thus came in to being the great religions of the world, established by some great souls. Religion is a step towards development of human personality. There is no basis for differences between religions as their essence is one and the same, ‘the scriptures proclaim the same truth and when the goal of all human effort is one.'
Religions direct us to love all and live in harmony with everyone in society. Christianity and Islam have this as their basis. The great Sikh Guru Nanak preferred community prayers to isolated individual prayers. Congregational prayers would melt the heart of the Almighty. At least, one pure heart's prayer would reach God! Thus community bhajans and prayers became popular. Why is it that religion has become the cause for conflict and violence? It is because of man’s obsession for power, position and success. Religion, thus, came to be used as an instrument of torture and persecution. Instead of uniting people it divided them into mutual warring camps. Man gloats over his advancement and civilization but he has utterly and miserably failed in understanding religion! Religious animosity is still flaring all over the world!
No religion should decry other religion or faith. All religions are great in their own way and strive for the salvation of man. It is religion that reveals the sublime feelings in man and makes him serve the society. It brings out all that is great, blissful and good in men and demonstrates the unity of mankind. In this context, what Swami has said is very significant! “ There is only one religion, The religion of Love; There is only one caste, The caste of humanity; There is only one language, The language of the heart; There is only one God; He is omnipresent” (SSS Vol 8) Until society realizes this universal principles of unity of religions and the oneness of God and the sacred quality of Love, there cannot be peace and tranquility in the world torn by religious conflicts! Let us hope good sense would prevail among humanity!
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