RELIGION AND BENEFITS

RELIGION AND BENEFITS

Dr K Prabhakar Rao

There is a general feeling that nothing much is achieved by religion in these modern days. It is believed that religion leads to many antiquated beliefs that truncate growth and impairs national growth,. These arguments have gained momentum in modern days. Many governments keep religion at back seat and plan for growth all around and of all sections. Therefore people feel that govt should be free of religious inclinations. Certain sections have extreme views and want all religions to be eradicated. History however has p[roved that no govt in the world has been able to eradicate any religion from the face of this earth. Therefore it is essential that all govt and various societies in public life preach religious tolerance, mutual trust and good will between people of all sections. In Europe many wars were fought between Christian and Islamic states for long periods and no one was successful. In India most of the Muslim sultans and emperors right from the days of Slave sultanate to Mughal emperors to Nizam 7 of Hyderabad tried their best to Islamize India and make it into Dar ul Islam, but failed. In India Hinduism survived and flourished.

Religious intolerance is a mental sickness of a human being and most of the people feel that their religion is superior to that of others. A religion is assessed by the religious tolerance it preaches and mutual love it propagates. In fact no religion preaches hatred towards others. As a matter of fact no religion should preach intolerance, hatred, bloodshed, revenge and destruction of other religions. . However certain people interpret teachings of the religion and inflict heinous crimes on fellow beings. In India most of the Muslims are convertees who were victims of Islamic invasions during medieval period.. Many were converted by threat , coercion and inducement.. In modern times there have been conversions into Islam and Christianity in certain parts of India and this has resulted in hatred and riots too.

It has been established that Hinduism is not a religion, but is a way of life. It is the conglamation of various practices, beliefs, thoughts and philosophies preached by various distinguished sages and peers over the past centuries.. Many sages too differed on interpretation of scriptures to some extent. In modern days too many distinguished men in society did not agree to certain aspects and practices in Hinduism. Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Swami Dayananad Sarswathi, Kandukoori Veeresha lingam Pantulu ( From Andhra Pradesh) were highly distinguished men and in no uncertain terms condemned idol worship and preached that it in no way would lead to salvation. Certain sections of Tamil Nadu are highly against the practice of idol worship and tragedy si that they are now highly busy in worshipping the idols of their leaders now placed on cement piers all over the towns in Tamilnadu. There were instances when Lord Rams statues were garlanded with string of shoes in Tamil Nadu. It is also a practice to celebrate Rama Dahana (Burning) during Dusserah celebrations and Ravana is glorified. They are of the view that idol worship no way help people as God has no shape. Even if we accept that God has a shape it is immaterial whether it is black or blue, made of granite or marble, jade or stone or cement. It is also immaterial whether it is small or large.

We also notice that large statues of gods are erected on the compound walls of temples and this has been a practice in Tamil nadu. In south India, one can find gigantic statues of Hanuman and , Shiva near temples or in villages.. Every one tries to outdo others in erecting these statues. In fact people should derive immense pleasure from the good qualities of the god and act as per the guidelines. Such people who do not agree to idol worship say that even if one looks at the statue for millions of years, nothing would be derived and it would be a futile effort. The fact to note is that they condemn idol worship vehemently. However no one has clarified what damage has been done to the society or to self by idol worship. It is a known fact that idol worship generates sense of mental happiness, devotion, peace, fear of god among people. Muslims vehemently condemn idol worship. But is it not a fact that they also bow to graves Standards during Moharram processions.. We do find portraits of Muslim saints hung on walls and worshipped. Tiger’s figures are painted on Dargahs and near graves. In some form or other idol worship goes on everywhere. Christians worship Cross and statues of mother Mary and infact Jesus. Statues are erected everywhere. Statues of Jesus are erected at many places. Even if meditate and concentrate on formless God people claim that some form or other would soon appear depending on mental state of the mind. Thus people claim that it is futile to condemn idol worship.

In modern days paper currency has replaced the solid coins of earlier times and we accept a piece of paper as a rupee or hundred rupees although it is merely a piece of paper. Then what is wrong in accepting God as an idol? In nut shell we find that there is greater inclination towards idol worship. Buddhism that is silent on God has resorted to idol worship in a big way. Wherever Buddhism has spread millions of Buddha statues of various sizes have been erected. All of us know about Bamiyan Buddhas and great Buddha statues in China and other Eastern countries.. Till now no one has distinguished between strong religious beliefs and beliefs out of reasoning. Probably we derive happiness in religious beliefs and we do not want others to question them.. There is no doubt that teachings of some learned men in the past condemning idol worship have caused immense disturbance in society. In modern times highly educated men pray to idols and their faith has not been impaired. They are more religious than others and attend temples and have faith in traditions. It is a great sin to cause harm to their beliefs by the disputed claims of some learned men who condemn idol worship and gain some following.

Therefore it is amply understood that those who condemn our traditions and beliefs are clouded with some misgivings and can be attributed to their inability to see reason. All religions preach good things and highlight the need for leading a truthful life. It is therefore essential that all sections develop mutual trust in each other and respect others leanings. This will lead to tranquility in society and reduce social tensions. It has been amply proved from past that any amount of suppression or hatred a has not succeeded in eradicating religious beliefs of others. Some time ago some cranks ( Professors?) from Jawaharlal University in Delhi claimed that Lord Rama was only an imaginary figure and did not exist. Such nuts can in no way undermine Hindu beliefs and sentiments in Sri Ram. Hindus have not disputed claims of Muslims or Christians. Even most of the Muslims do not dispute Hindu sentiments. Sri Rama Has been hailed as Imam e Hind by Poet Iqbal. It is time people in India see light across the tunnel and live in harmony. Religious intolerance would cut at the root of the national fabric and can lead to disintegration. All must remember that country should come first and always first at all occasions than individuals and communities.