What is Religion?

In the world we live consists of many kinds of people; each unique in their own different ways… each holding there own set of beliefs that build from the teaching of their families, the society they move around in and their own experiences. But yet we all forget the basic fundamentals of where it all crops up from and the essence of its existence. For example we all follow some from of religion that is mostly given to us by the views and teachings of our family, but we forget to understand what is religion?

What is religion? Is it the rituals we perform or the prayers we offer or the books that comprise its teachings? A lot of us seem to be following it with closed eyes I feel, because for me I define religion as a way of life. The rituals that are to be performed are based on the practicality of the old times and are being dragged forward aimlessly; which at many times contradicts the modern way of life we all lead. They are a nice way of keeping the old heritage alive but certain ideas and ideologies’ should be understood and amended based on the circumstances we live in today.

We all do a zillion things on the name of religion, but forget the basic duties we all have towards each other and the basic core of every religion, that’s humanity. We discriminate even though we know that’s wrong! And it’s sad how people are encouraging discrimination in order to spread a religious movement or build up on their political vote banks. We fight wars, offend or kill people, create terror all in the name of religion. Is this what we are being taught? What about all the teachings by the great saints of the world… the core of every religion… that tell you that “if you can’t do something good for someone then at least don’t do anything that might hurt them.” Where have these teachings got lost? Why is there so much hatred in this world when we hardly have time to love?

It has to stop somewhere and it will stop some day. But how it will stop? Well that’s a decision we all make collectively… not by collective decisions of political or religious polices but through our individual choices.