A dinner date with the fiancé led to a very intriguing and controversial discussion about religion, God, spirituality and loads more. Good to know that we both ended up in the same page but the conversation did not leave my mind until I knew I just had to blog it out!
Now before I proceed, I must clarify that first, I believe in God. I don’t really see Him as a third person, I see Him more as a part of one’s soul you carry forward in your life. Also, I believe in the formation of religions. It teaches us to be more tolerant towards people’s beliefs, makes us appreciate our diversity and often takes its place as a basic foundation in our lives, which optimizes your choices and your values. I am a proud Hindu and even though I don’t necessarily follow Mondays, Thursdays rule all the time, I pray and I am thankful for His blessings every waking minute of my life.
Okayyyy so enough about me in person! It all started when we read a few statuses in Facebook, quoting the Bible and the Koran. Sure, believing’s cool. Sure, you’re free to post anything you want in your social network; after all it’s your page. But, I guess some people do not know yet the limit of which those statuses are still acceptable.
Up to a certain point, posting something as “personal” as your choice of religion in a “social” network does not see to tick for me. Especially those statements about the “best religion”. I mean, c’mon, is there such a thing as the best religion??? We live in the 21st century, where we are taught and encouraged to understand, appreciate and love the fact that we are different. Claiming a religion or belief is the best certainly does not seem equivalent to tolerating others’ belief, does it? How small-minded can people be when they claim that “My God is the best? Or “claiming _______________ religion can ensure a one-way ticket to heaven!” My question is, have they died before? Have they met Him? Are they assured in any way? Pffffttttttt!
What’s ever more delusional is when people start pulling others towards entering their religion. Back to square one, whatever happened to loving others unconditionally? Are there really such people still who think like “I would prefer if we were of the same religion!” in this ever-improving world? Sad.
I am truly fortunate to have been brought up in a very open-minded house. My family does have the culture of being vegetarian every Monday. We follow it consistently when we are home for our meals. However, we were never enforced to follow it begrudgingly. Whenever there came a time when a yummy chicken sandwich appeared in front of our eyes, we could have it without needing to feel guilty. In that way, we grew up respecting our parents who taught us that as long as we are good human beings, as long as we respect people around us, as long as we don’t lie, as long as we don’t talk ill of others, what we eat do not actually matter / classify as “good” or “bad”.
Speaking about “good” and “bad”, I go back to question, who classifies things and actions into “good” and “bad”? Human, yes? And aren’t we entitled to conduct wrongdoings? Isn’t there such a thing we all know as human error? I believe so. Therefore, when someone looks me in the eye and asks me “aren’t you fasting for prayers today? Ckckckckckck so bad!” I wanna tell them, “excuse me, who died and made you God? How do you come to a conclusion that me eating as per normal as “bad”? Why do you assume that because I am not following rituals, I am a non-believer? Suddenly, I am the instant criminal. Those who judge people like that, aren’t they the ones who must be taught a lesson or two? Aren’t they the one who appear as the goody-two-shoes physically and mentally judgmental?
Questions, questions, never-ending. It disheartens me to see people who are still thinking in an extremely orthodox manner despite the fact that we are trying to understand our differences, and even more, learning and succeeding to love them.
My blog nowadays seem to rant more than express. but in a way, doesn’t ranting help “express” disappointments? ;)
Any thoughts?
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