Relevance of Religion in the twenty first century.

Relevance of Religion in the twenty first century.

I cannot resist starting this essay with a quote which puts religion and religiosity in its proper perspective. I think it says: ‘Had there been no God, it may have been necessary to invent one.’ Having evolved gradually, with distinctly superior mental faculties as compared to other animals on the planet – Man has, I think, gone ahead and done just that. A quick review of world history will convince anyone who has doubts about this. Territorial expansionist ambitions of some regimes certainly resulted in many wars but history is also replete with innumerable dreadful wars, persecution and cruelty in the name of religion. Yet, none of the religions world over, preach hatred or violence. This is the paradox examined in this write-up. I will also attempt to trace the evolution of religion itself while drawing conclusions about its relevance to the present day context.

Essentially, the word ‘Religion’ can be defined as having a few basic characteristics. These are; belief in supernatural beings (Gods), a distinction between sacred and profane objects, ritual acts focused on sacred objects and a moral code believed to be sanctioned by the Gods. Characteristically, also included are religious feelings (awe, sense of mystery, sense of guilt, adoration), which tend to be aroused in the presence of sacred objects and during the practice of ritual, and which are connected in idea with the gods. This so called definition has been culled from a body of thought on the subject which, understandably, is voluminous. The numbers of religions practiced around the globe speak of the vastness of our planet when mankind was just stepping out of the dark ages. Climatic conditions peculiar to specific geographical zones have shaped religion and corroborate my theory, that man created God – in his own image!

In Islam, which originated in the Middle Eastern deserts, water as a scarce natural resource is ritualistically used with great care. ‘Wudu’ – or ablution, prior to praying is elaborately explained in its scriptures. Central to the act is a prescribed process which avoids wastage of water by actually re-using it. In Hindu mythology on the other hand, water is used copiously. Having originated in rich tropical rain forests, Hinduism prescribes unrestrained use of water in almost all rituals. Secondly, even if we agree to His unquestioned existence, what do we accept Him as: As Christ ? As Krishna ? or a formless entity ? There ought to be just one omnipresent all-powerful all pervasive authority to carry out divine duties with a consistency expected of a just and caring God. Why then do we squabble and fight? If we all agree to His pious teachings, what makes us go at each other’s jugular at the slightest provocation? Is that what religions have as the objective ?

Erich Von Daniken – a German author who wrote the fascinating book viz. ‘Was God an Astronaut?’ has a strong case. He theorized, and with enough empirical evidence, that God actually was a being from a much superior and intellectually advanced species that may have landed, from outer space upon the primitive, perhaps cave-man stage of pre-history on planet Earth. What has survived over the ages is this story told and re-told by the cave-men who were witness to the phenomenon. The spectacle of a landing module emitting horrendous sound, light and heat and presenting an awe inspiring visual to these cave-men must have etched itself deep in their collective psyche and germinated the idea of a supreme being. A being which has been defined as ‘God’ and attributed with such powers as are needed to explain all that is incomprehensible to man. Over the centuries, these cave drawings and stories told by the elders to the next generation, ha survived and this original experience forms the basis of religion.

Today, mankind is witnessing an explosion of knowledge. Alvin Toffler’s theory viz. ‘the accelerative thrust,’ in his famous book – ‘The Future Shock’ merits a few lines here. He proves by quoting statistics, that the rate of increase in knowledge, of developments in science, technology, arts, medicine etc. is accelerating at a mind boggling speed. To quote just one such example, he avers that consumption of coal in the last century has been equal to the consumption of this resource in the entire era since Christ. It has further accelerated to equal last century’s consumption of coal in just the last ten years !

This digression was necessary to drive home the point which I am trying to make. As more and more knowledge get organized and analysed – fear of the inexplicable recedes. The cave man may have been overawed by lightening and interpreted it as a phenomena indicating God’s unhappiness over goings-on in his settlement. Today we do not need ‘God’ to explain the same. Perhaps tomorrow, even such questions which seem un-explainable and hence, continue to validate the concept of a divine superpower may get resolved. Toffler’s accelerative thrust makes it possible for this to happen even in our own lifetime.

So, whether we have invented God or He actually does exist, Religion itself seems irrelevant in the present day context. Why does man need large, opulent Mandirs, Mosques and Churches? As an intensely personal experience, prayers and other ritualistic obeisance can be done from the privacy of one’s home. Aggregating at such worship centres in large numbers only serves the purpose of instilling fear in the followers of other religions. Is that the sub-conscious desire, the underlying agenda?

Philosophy and Ethics – both tangential off-shoots of religion, are undoubtedly more important subjects which attempt to regulate mankind’s social mores. Finding a meaning to life is certainly an important and relevant pursuit. Teachings emanating from the crucible of philosophical examination presents a crystallized and organized body of do’s and don’ts - which even the aggregated wisdom of all religions combined, fail to match. Religion helped mankind through the period when His ‘support’ was required. The purpose for which He was invented has since been fulfilled. As it is, Truth, Non-Violence and Compassion are tenets which are well internalized as desirable traits. Social norms are well set and familial ties well understood. Where, then, is the need for religion now?

Is fasting a religious practice? Mahatma Gandhi’s understanding of fasting has fundamental differences with the ritualistic fasting practiced by devout Hindus. Which one is more sensible? Dieticians advocate cut-back of certain ingredients in our food while prescribing supplements of certain others. Are these more relevant than prohibited foods and permissible intakes prescribed by religion? Chanting shlokas has been shown to have a positive effect on one’s aura. Same is the case with some other rituals. The feel one gets listening to these arguments is that a pathetic support is being mustered to desperately fight out a losing battle.

Privately we many of us agree that religion is causing untold damage to the society. Praying at home and observing rituals to assuage our troubled conscience, we can do away with the drama we do publicly. We acknowledge the importance of our inner self where we find what we seek, yet we also make it to the temple or mosque to publically announce our faith and conformity with established mores. We give more credence to the public face of a religious person overlooking his private face which has many a blemishes. To us a person who drinks and smokes is a ‘bad’ person though he / she may have all other virtues in ample proportions. That’s the unfortunate truth, the ultimate hypocrisy of man.

Summing up, therefore, I wish to reiterate that the external exhibitionistic tamasha of religion be stopped. Rituals should be performed in private only...not in public at any cost. Man should be judged on the basis of his inter-personal behaviour, his principled stand on issues concerning propriety in public life and above all his allegiance to truth, non-violence and compassion for fellow beings. Moreover, office is no place to practice religion. All celebrations – whether Hindu festivals or other religions – should be banished from the work place where work and work alone should be worshipped.

Sanjeev Bhakay