A religion, which brings together a divine revelation in nature and history along with inner revelation of life and spirit, can serve as the basis of world order – as the religion of the future.
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Author: Raghavachari Krishnan
Advancements in communication and technology have shrunk the world. There is so much power in the hands of men, which when rightly used can give strength, freedom and better life to mankind; abused, it will bring chaos and destruction..
World solidarity and religion
World solidarity, a dream, is now an urgent practical necessity. Unity of the world is shaped through logic of events; material, economic and political. To sustain this, it must find psychological unity in spiritual coherence. The world unified as a body, is groping for its soul. If humanity is to save itself, it must change axis of its thought and life.
The need for religion
The need for religion, a system of thought and devotion to a cause does not require elaborate argument – especially, in a world that is getting increasingly automated and materialistic. All of this will add significance to our fragile existence. Secular ideologies ask us to worship wealth and comforts. The question therefore is not “religion or no religion” but “what kind of religion?”Is it a religion of brotherhood? Or of power and hate?
So long as a religious system is capable of responding creatively to every fresh challenge, by way of either events or ideas, it is healthy and progressive. When it fails to do so, it is on the decline. Society breaks down when religion as a device fails to respond to new challenges and is unable to retain voluntary allegiance from its members. It happens when religion refuses to embrace new winds of thought and criticism. This skepticism prevents religion from working and dealing creatively with challenges thrown at it.
We live in an age of Science and cannot be called upon to accept hearsay or revelations. Religions that are insensitive to human ill and social crimes do not appeal to the modern man. There exist some religious beliefs that play into the hands of opponents of the religion leading to disintegration and do not foster unity.
Is the spirit of Science opposed to religion?
The general impression that the spirit of science is opposed to that of a religion is unfortunate and untrue. The spirit of science leads to the refinement of religion. Intellectual authority not inherited authority should be treated with respect. One of the main arguments for the religious theist is the objective consideration of the cosmos. Natural theology is based on the study of empirically observable facts and not authoritative sources such as revelations and traditions. Those who attempt to construct argument theory of the Ultimate are adopting scientific methods. There has been a study on the ascent from inorganic to organic, organic to sentiment, sentiment to rational life. Rational life has to grow into spiritual which is far above the purely rational, which is above the purely sentiment.
What is religion?
Often, religion is confused with outdated dogmas and incredible superstitions, which are barriers coming in the way of the simplicity of spiritual life. Religion is not mere intellectual conformity or ceremonial piety – it is a spiritual adventure. It is not theology but practice. To assume that we have discovered the ultimate truth is the fatal error. The human mind is sadly crippled in its religious thinking by the belief that the truth has been found, embodied, standardized and nothing remains for us to do except to reproduce feebly some precious features of an inimitable statement.
Religion is fulfillment of man’s life, an experience leading to an inner evolution, and a change in understanding.ind through each period in history cherishes the illusion of the finality of its existing modes of knowledge. This illusion breeds intolerance and fanaticism. The world has bled and suffered from the disease of dogmatism and conformity. Sadly, expecting conformity, instilling fear and resorting to aggressive means to achieve it, is NOT religion.
If we look upon our formulations as approximation to the truth and not the truth itself, then we must be prepared to modify them if we find other propositions, which enter deeper into reality. Given this, it will be illogical for us to hold that any system of theology is an official, orthodox, obligatory, and final presentation of truth.
Conclusion
Reality is bigger than any system of theology, however large. A religion, which brings together a divine revelation in nature and history along with inner revelation of life and spirit, can serve as the basis of world order – as the religion of the future.
It would be the duty of every cultured man and woman to read sympathetically, the scriptures of the world. A friendly study of world religion must be considered as sacred duty. We are heirs of humanity as a whole and knowledge of other traditions in addition to our own nation and religion is important. Science has given us all the facilities necessary to bring the world together. It has enabled us to understand spiritual heritage of every nation. If we can mobilize spiritual resources of the whole world and put them all into effect, it should be possible for us to make this world a better place than we have found it.
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Comments:
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I just recollect an incident in this connection. My friend while going to office by car, an old man stopped him to take him upto a nearby temple .But he has not only refused but also used some abused words as “what is all these things to disturb my routine”. On reaching his office his wife called him and said she was saved by a person from an accident near level crossing”. He came to know later that person was son of that old man. This has caused him to feel sorry for his painful action in the morning and he later changed his mind , to help all and just to be humane at least. Any worship place is meant for all our welfare.So if any person going to temple, church or mosque must be viewed not in respect of any division of religion.
Man can find the meaningful life as aim and thus developed religion to help all to take a decision what is actually needed as essential.
The religions in all parts of the world have much to offer to us in our personal requirement for correct meanings and answers for many of our proposals for right path. All our search for such quest is a challenge and the easiest way .Religion continues to influence humanity for all times , we can be pure in character, good, pious and continuously affirm its tenets in our thought and action. Religion is only for austerity, control
of emotions and senses. Religious exercises though appear as painful in the beginning, it is elixir in the end. It is otherwise a discipline to keep one in physically and mentally alert. Just like a tourist guide who helps in our travels and to reach any place safely, Religion guide us in our life journey to go in right paths and to reach a peaceful one. Religion strengthens mans character and provide him with a code of conduct for his safe voyage. Dogmas and doctrines, ceremonies and rituals are only to help us gain this realization of truth , upon which our faith must resist.. The practice of religion guides to the supreme vision and attitude to humanity. So let us not blame any religion and blame only the selfish nature, not a faithful , not a sincere, and misguiding people.
Take for instance scientific developments in mobile or computer applications, there are many hurdles even in that for misuse of them. Similarly, religious principles are at times misused by some and cause disturbnces. Anything in life, if properly used will not be harmful.
A.J.Rangarajan
I have read the article and more or less it appears appealing, I wish to place my views as follows:
Religion and Science are the two Eyes of a human being and you cannot say either the one eye “religion” is old and hence useless one in the modern scientifically developed society or the other eye “Science” is useless as our ancestors (whether Hindu / Muslim/ Christian) have developed it exceedingly well.
For example, I can quote my visit to my (Hindu) holy place, called Badrinath, and situated approx. 12,000 feet above sea level. I traveled in a tourist bus of course. In spite of the fact that the bus has to cross numerous hairpin bends and in two places we have to wait patiently due to roadsides (a common feature) as the Tourist Driver is an efficient driver the travel had become easy and comfortable for all the passengers as well as to me. To go to Badrinath some 50 years ago was an Herculean Task. I wish to mention here that the scientifically developed motor car driven by a driving specialist, especially a specialist in driving at hill areas, (the one EYE) made me (the other EYE) to reach the destination more safely and comfortably.
Hence I conclude that we go hand with hand and not try to claim supremacy among us
I have read the article and more or less it appears appealing, I wish to place my views as follows:
Religion and Science are the two Eyes of a human being and you cannot say either the one eye “religion” is old and hence useless one in the modern scientifically developed society or the other eye “Science” is useless as our ancestors (whether Hindu / Muslim/ Christian) have developed it exceedingly well.
For example, I can quote my visit to my (Hindu) holy place, called Badrinath, and situated approx. 12,000 feet above sea level. I traveled in a tourist bus of course. In spite of the fact that the bus has to cross numerous hairpin bends and in two places we have to wait patiently due to roadsides (a common feature) as the Tourist Driver is an efficient driver the travel had become easy and comfortable for all the passengers as well as to me. To go to Badrinath some 50 years ago was an Herculean Task. I wish to mention here that the scientifically developed motor car driven by a driving specialist, especially a specialist in driving at hill areas, (the one EYE) made me (the other EYE) to reach the destination more safely and comfortably.
Hence I conclude that we go hand with hand and not try to claim supremacy among us
Narayanan Sridharan
n_sridharan52@yahoo.com