What is Religion ? - an observation

There are so many registered religions across the planet. This post is especially targeted towards the mindsets which practice the race in number of followers through conversion. I have noticed, that whenever I see a clipping in newspapers on tension between different faiths(Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Jews, etc), I never see the word "religion" written. It says - "Communal Tension" or "Communal Violence".

But on the other hand, another term - "Religious Communities" is used to segregate people of a certain kind of belief from those of other beliefs. So even if they are siblings, they can be of different religions, depending upon various factors. Therefore it definitely is not something that is biological or geographical in nature. It is something that just came into existence, and definitely out of a motive. Most of the self righteous, conversion fanatic religions, are actually the youngest belief systems with their own set of rules and laws.

It seems very political to me as natural communities and belief structures always have their core values straightened out, and they are pretty much the same and are used as philosophy rather than to frighten people, and then there comes a class of people with dogma in their hands, which makes others uncomfortable. The dogma constantly needs to be explained and re structured in words to make people believe it. That shouldn't be the way if it was the word of God, particularly when God constantly keeps asking people to fear Him. 

The Vedic texts indicate that fear never brings love and respect, it only brings animosity and jealousy.

Here are some conclusions I have come to as to why and how religions came about to be.

Note : Vedic culture (Hindu, Buddhist, etc) is a way of life, not a dogmatic religion.

The Oxford Dictionary gives this definition of religion :

noun

[mass noun]
• the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods:ideas about the relationship between science and religion
• [count noun] a particular system of faith and worship:the world’s great religions
• [count noun] a pursuit or interest followed with great devotion:consumerism is the new religion

I would say that its quite a modified, twisted definition.
The word "religion" is a derivative of the Latin word "religo/religare," meaning "to bind".

This was later interpreted as, binding yourself to worship of one true God. But the Latin word probably wasn't developed thinking that way. It quite literally meant - "to bind". Thus I don't see religion any where close to God or spirituality. Spirituality attracts and enlightens, it certainly does not bind.

I have witnessed some conversion techniques. The argument given is that - "It is the right way", "We need to show you the right way", "We know better than you", "You are going astray", "This is God's will" etc. This is almost always followed by an emotional tearing down of confidence and mocking of beliefs of the victim. But then that's only an argument.

The real reason for conversion is greed of economic and political power through subjugation. Religion ensures both. I mean, if a person has certain beliefs, that's good; but why would he/she propose to dictate the same to others as law. Yes, that's right. Dogmas are laws, do's and don'ts without the explanation of Why? How? What? They say that the laws if followed will take the believers to heaven, not that if they are kind and nice to all, then that is supposed to happen.

Communities have always existed everywhere as a group survival tactic. Communal diversity is very natural in animals and humans. It is primarily the development of a society in a particular place with a certain resources. There used to be a time when all communities around the world used to behave and act naturally harmonizing with their surroundings. The dessert dwellers acted according to their habitat, the forest dwellers according to theirs. Even towns, villages and civilizations that were created in the same places, people's eating and clothing habbits, ornaments and traditions, rituals and cultures, depended on the climate, food sources, water availability, soil fertility, etc.


 
Such indigenous people still exist, but can be seen only among the tribals and forest dwellers away from the modern civilization. They have maintained their ingenuity and belief structure till this day, probably because of their non materialistic ways, shyness and simple minds, who know no shame, no fear, and no regrets, who live free and treat men, women and nature equally.

Rudyard Kipling's poem - "The White Man's Burden" explains the conquest over these beautiful indigenous people of the world. Religious conversion was quite a flagbearing event while conquering indigenous people. Religion sometimes helps to justify atrocities, in the name of the unknown - God. It was an excellent plan for mental conquest and automatically the economical and infrastructural plunder followed.There are loads of documented history on how ancient civilizations, had been converted into subjugation, changing their culture, food habits, clothing and other habits, by ridicule, by force, by laws and by religion.

Religion is also called "Faith", but to me, it isn't so. Faith would be to believe and trust. Religion on the other hand is quite opposite of faith in creation, it boasts of self righteousness and total intolerance.

If studied, interesting similarities can be drawn out of the core beliefs of all these ancient civilizations, regarding God's presence in nature, culture of dance and music, social gatherings, culture of ornamentation and clothing, harmony and respect, equality of women and men, strict punishments for thieves and robbers, etc. It can be studied that their developments were based on far more logical conclusions than the religious preaching.  The jungle dwellers and tribes across the continents, still have this similarity and simplicity. They may look different but their core values are the same. The respect for "Unity in Diversity" is the same.

Why is there agitation in the name of Religion? 
People focus too much on which religion is better / correct. It becomes a matter of pride and ego. Religious books sometimes seem to be like law books and order punishments for particular behaviors.. It seems like its the law of a particular land not eternally applicable. I feel, this is where the main problem is. If the religious books had focused more on eternal truths of body, mind and soul, and how to find God and peace in one's life(which can be experienced) rather than finding God after death (which no one has experienced), they would have been followed in a much better way. Atheists might not have appeared into the scene at all.


The Vedic culture / Hinduism / Buddhism / Jainism etc, isn't seen as a religion by many experts. There are no particular conducts of a person that need to be done in order to please the clergy. No conversions. No changing of names. There are farmers in south India, who are Christian, but follow Vedic practices and rituals in farming. 

They do it primarily because it helps their yield. No differences. They know that these Vedic practices (Homa Farming : Youtube video) are based on nature and environment alone, some ancient science probably, but no dogma, no politics. The best part is that they never had to convert.

Here is an example of another Australian Christian family : Youtube video

So many people around the world do Yoga and Meditate in the name of Om. Did they have to convert. On the other hand some fanatics see it as a threat and something that will make their followers astray.
Here is an example : Video
This to me looks like the fear that people will be set free and none will fear them and their laws. What's the need I ask, what's the requirement of such intolerance. When the whole world adopted their culture and ways, clothes and music, what is the problem if there is a little exchange. Its quite foolish.
I as a kid, brought up in a Hindu family, Vedic at heart, was sent to a Christian missionary school. I've learnt about Jesus Christ and his life and sacrifices. My parents or the society never had a pinch of doubt or fear that I would get converted. That's the case with a lot of Hindus.

The Vedic scriptures and books, focus on soul searching and secrets to happiness in every sphere of life.
Yoga and meditation are only a few ways. Thus more and more scientific verification of Vedic knowledge is being heard of in recent times. Many modern scientists have read and respected the Vedas for its philosophy and forward approach towards finding the Truth.

Humans are naturally born looking for answers, finding their purpose, with logic, in search of love and spiritual experiences. Breeding intolerance will only make them angry and self destructive.

Use the soul to make decisions as your mind is only a reflection of others. That reflection called Religion.

Saurabh Dey (Omcultr)

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Vedic Culture / Hinduism – Base Philosophy

It could get extremely difficult for a person to understand another culture, whose base values are alien to their own. We should remember, that philosophy is basically human thoughts, so by clear understanding, everybody’s mindset can be analysed. To understand behavior of a particular society, we need to understand its history and belief with an unbiased approach. . 

Different people, different mindsets, different backgrounds, different environments of development lead to differences in understanding. Well obviously. Here we will majorly discuss the base philosophy in Hinduism which sets the tone for any other thoughts and practices.

Base Philosophy – Unity in Diversity

Vedic culture (Hinduism) is not a religion at all.

Since it’s one of the oldest belief systems which are in current practice, in quite the same way as before, you can clearly notice one thing that it wasn't born in competition. Thus people did not even think of it as a religion / community. Various communities would have the same beliefs. It was just imparted as knowledge by the knowledgeable. Quite Simple! That's why, there was never striving towards making more followers. The focus was always on learning, realizing the Ultimate Truth(by those who wanted to), answering questions and developing philosophy. It was quite a personal quest, not a power quest.

The Vedas say that the Supreme Conciousness runs through, and thus connects, every being, whatever they are, wherever they are. Different bodies and minds but the same soul. Once a person realizes this much, he sees no point in distinction and separation. He / She sees "Unity in Diversity"

Since this knowledge is applicable to everyone and everything, it should be left to each individual whether they want to inculcate and understand it or not. It can't be done by force or subjugation.

Vedas have never been dogmatic. They believe in the concept of unity in diversity, not just unity alone. Matter is diverse at every level but is still the same. Everything is changing all the time, nothing is constant in this universe. Your bodies are not your bodies but processes, they keep changing every moment. Only the soul is timeless and is One. The source of all this is Divinity/God. It unites all that is extremely diverse. This was taught and explained in all Gurukuls(shools) of ancient India. It was a tradition and method which is very different from modern education systems.

In this system, it was the student who always decided whether his/her studies and education was complete or not. A good Guru could thoroughly read his students and know what their intellect is demanding. This is the first example of establishing tolerance through "Unity in Diversity". Only when the wise men like Gurus realise the different potentials in students, instead of making all of them give the same exam, will they be able to inculcate the same habbits in their students. What could be more important that developing, unbiased, intellegent and observing students who will later form the society?

Secondly, never did Hinduism consider one thing superior and another inferior. This also began in the schools. Each student was also given their own customized shot at learning according to their own capacities. Every student was important. How? because it is due to the weaker students, that the brighter gets noticed, if everyone was equally bright, then being a bright student would have no meaning. Just like prey doesn't have any meaning without a predator, good has no meaning without bad, and light has no importance without dark, similarly a bright student has no meaning without dull ones. All that exists is with a reason and is thus respectable. By being biased towards what pleases us, we are only filling our societies with hate, jealousy and anger. 

So Vedas / Hinduism says - quit hating and see the beauty and oneness in all diversity- the black and white, the curly and straight, the tall and short, the bright student and the dull student, the one who is among our tribe and the one who is not, they are all respectable, all the same.
So, I think, that maybe the stronger students never bullied the weaker ones back in those days.

Note : The reason why you can find many Hindus going to Dargah(holy shrine of Muslim faith) and to Churches, with mostly no hesitation, is Unity in Diversity, followed in almost a sub conscious manner.

Hinduism / Vedas believe that everything is divine as it is and it has a place in this universe whether it’s a part of my lifestyle and beliefs or not. The reason why you have so many  sub-cultures in India is "Unity in Diversity". So many types of foods, different languages and scripts, variety of spices, diverse clothing styles, hair and makeup, different beliefs, various auspicious items, ways of cooking, musical genres, dance genres, architecture, etc. exist. Its all diverse, its all beautiful, it all coexists, and its all divine. Its inevitable also.

This concept of harmony, is seen in nature. Look at the sea creatures, so different and co existing, look at forests and its creatures, creatures below the earth, in the river. They co-exist in a harmonious system. Nature is like that everywhere.  Its diverse. Diversity is natural and almost defines the essence of existence, the essence of God. We are only a tiny part of nature, a few species of it living in different parts of the world and are bound to be different, and so will our beliefs be different depending on climate, resources, food and other factors. 

Thus, people who have been so respectful of diversity are definitely going to have diverse worship techniques and many diverse deities. The people who so constantly also believe in Unity in Diversity, will also see all deities as beautiful manifestations of the same that is Divine and that is ONE.  This is what Vedic knowledge / Hinduism’s core is.

I think Albert Einstien mentioned that if all bees die, humans would die too in a matter of years. So that makes the bee as important a part of creation as humans. 

That’s why what the western world sees as chaos and confusion, Hindus / people residing in India see as curry, an aromatic blend of differences. Some people also believe, that it is so embedded in the daily life of Indians, that regardless of community and religion, Indians follow the Hindu philosophy of Unity in Diversity subconsciously. Its actually very simple, very pleasing, and could bring a lot of good health, harmony and peace in anyone's life. It could stop the hating and jealousy in the world.

So, "Unity in Diversity" somewhat forms the base of the tonnes of Hindu philosophy. God is ONE but with countless manifestations...

Q. Why is  Unity in Diversity so important as a philosophy?

A. When we believe in Unity in Diversity, we learn tolerance and the ability to see a person’s heart and soul inspite of the obvious differences in thoughts and cultures. Only in this way do we know what’s right and what is wrong in given situations, keeping our mind unbiased. 
"Unity in Diversity" concept teaches us to put down our ego, anger and false pride, to attain knowledge and spread it, to feel love and love back.

Thanks for your time

Saurabh Dey

(OMCULTR)