Guest guest Posted September 24, 2000 Report Share Posted September 24, 2000 ============================================================= This article is emailed to you by Ram Chandran ( rchandran ) ============================================================= Source: The Hindu (http://www.the-hindu.com) Religion establishes social order CHENNAI, SEPT. 25. The foundation for religion was laid in the firm hope that those who practise it will lead a disciplined life and cultivate balanced approach. Adherence to the directives in religion will provide material comforts and help in solving problems in an effective manner and in achieving steady progress in reaching the goal. Differences amongst various religious exercises will not shake its foundation. The chief aim of all religions is to ensure peaceful co-existence of all people. This is clearly stated in the Divine revelation called the Vedas. In olden days, each religion claimed its superiority and stood by one's teachings but the purpose of tendering advice through its tenets was to make men enjoy peace. Everyone of them believed that without spiritual power there can be no secular benefits. The divisions which were seen in their various methods should have no consideration in modern days. Efforts being taken at present to correlate all regions and enable all people to enjoy happiness and avoid evil tendencies which occasionally crop up and to bring out women from their seclusion are to be lauded. There is now plenty of scope to unify people through religion making them sink their differences. A bird's-eye view of the role of religion will reflect the changes as civilisation advanced from time to time. People followed their religious exercises according to the circumstances which existed in their respective places of stay and the language they spoke. Some races showed greater progress in propagating their religions and the others tried to catch up with them. In this connection, the Vedas refer to the existence of two Divine forces (or God), one creating the world, more or less, as a one- man's show. The other laid stress on the behaviour of mind. In the earlier stages, the mind (of the people) did not register much progress, with animal nature rearing its head. At this stage, religion came to play its role to establish social order. The feeling that God has to be approached to help in creating such an order developed and the opinion gained ground that He alone can help humanity in their forward march, ensuring unity in diversity. God, who existed from time immemorial, thus enabled civilisation to progress. Religious way of life did not bar material comforts, said Sri Agnihotram Ramanuja Thathachariar in a lecture. Religion is the relationship between God, world and individual who adopts it. Civilisation, order and morality elevate man and provide peace to a nation. They are the fruits of practice of rules of respective religions. The various paths shown by religions in general are not contradictory but in some respect supplemented each other. Copyrights: 2000 The Hindu & Tribeca Internet Initiatives Inc. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the consent of The Hindu & Tribeca Internet Initiatives Inc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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