A note on religions

[Guest guest]

Namaste!

 

A few days ago I was properly chastised for posting some dark and

violent quotations from various scriptures of the world. That was

indeed outside of the scope of this list, and anybody who is

conscientious enough to investigate such matters doesn't need me. We

all know how to use Google.

 

But today I would like to make the following conciliatory and

compassionate remarks, which are perfectly appropriate for this list.

It is true that some religions, or rather some versions of various

religions, take a *predatory* attitude towards converting the world.

Anyone who has even a superficial knowledge of the history of the

world knows how much blood has been shed for such causes. (And it

was not always just greed and politics. Fanaticism was often a

driving force.)

 

However, what we must also remember is that many (hopefully most)

people of any religion are trying to be decent, despite the darker

parts of their scriptures. More importantly, we must remember how

much anguish they may be feeling if they are trapped in an oppressive

social situation.

 

In the West, renouncing some unsavory aspect of our religious

tradition seems like no big deal, because we simply don't take

religion that seriously anymore, especially if we are highly

educated. Modifying or even changing our religion can be as casual

as changing our clothes. Nobody cares. We are all busy making money.

 

But in many parts of the world, including parts of India, resisting a

tradition, or even leaving it, can tear apart families and

communities. In parts of the world where intolerant forms of

religion prevail, it can be a matter of life and death to criticize

the powers that be. Think how much anguish it is for the thoughtful

and decent person trapped in such a situation. Think how painful it

must be to do some soul searching and realize that what you cherished

since childhood as the ultimate truth may be seriously flawed.

 

It is easy for me to sit here safe in America and criticize the

darker aspects of religions that I only read about. But for many

people, there are agonizing choices to be made.

 

And yet, it is indeed cowardice to remain silent in the face of

injustice, untruth, bigotry and intolerance. As always, there is a

tightrope to walk.

 

And for those who do believe in some form of God, it is quite a

challenge to 'explain' the sinister parts of the world's revered

scriptures. Evidently, our spiritual adventure requires us to engage

in such difficult inquiry.

 

Om!

Benjamin