UGH Comment:
Use or Misuse of Religion
(Image by uttam sheth)
Read more on 'Use or misuse of religion' in our article here:
Misuse of religion
UGH Comment
'Correct awareness'
When promoting 'Correct Awareness', especially regarding religion, activists, leaders, teachers, and educators, should bear in mind that the root
cause of the misuse and exploitation of religion lies in our ignorance, and in our inherent tendencies to lead or to follow.
In most cases our faith, beliefs, or the religion we have are simply what we inherit from our parents. Blind faith, uncertainty, self-satisfaction,
fear, hope, ethics, and a sense of security during times of uncertainty are some of the foundational elements that contribute to the concept of God and
Religion. Unquestioned 'Faith' serves as the main pillar that sustains the existence of God and Religion.
Believers will need to realize that, in many cases, what we believe in, and the actions we take in the name of God and Religion, or in the preaching of teachers and gurus, are what we like and enjoy; and which may be totally contradictory, and in many cases abusive, to the teachings of God and Religion, and to the preaching of the real teachers and Gurus, that we follow.
Examples are:
The challenging task for educators is to help people understand the difference between teachings of the enlightened teachers and gurus, and the concept of God and Religion.
God and Religion can be likened to the use of Science, for example nuclear power. The proper use of science and nuclear power can bring peace to humanity, whilst its misuse has been a major cause of bloodshed, disasters, and human suffering; so too is the case for God and Religion.
It is essential for everyone to make a personal effort to investigate and properly understand one's own Religion thereby preventing its exploitation and misuse and preserving its sanctity.
"All religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree. All these aspirations are directed toward ennobling man's life, lifting it from the sphere of mere physical existence and leading the individual towards freedom."
-Albert Einstein
Without hurting the faith and sentiments of individuals, campaigns that encourage people to pursue and attain 'Correct Awareness', termed and defined as 'Buddhi'*, can play a pivotal role in helping humans avoid sowing division, nurturing hatred, and inciting hostility in the name of Religion, and in the name of the preaching of Buddha and Gurus
* For more information on what is 'Buddhi', visit:
Buddhi - Free your mind
Conclusion
Religious faith is a powerful thing. It may bring to an individual great joy, and may bring great comfort in times of sorrow or need; however, Religion is often misused for purely power-political goals including war; it is the resposibility of the individual to understand what is true, in all things and all people. This can be achieved by using the power within the concept of 'Buddhi'.
Do not be afraid to question; keep an open inquisitive mind in all things.
(Guru - a: a person that is generally recognized as a leader or teacher. b: a person with knowledge and expertise : expert.
However, some of us believers can checkmate to our own religion, and to the preaching of our enlightened teachers and gurus, by approving and drinking alcohol and using tobaccos, while our other counterparts will ban alcohol whilst relishing tobacco and other such narcotic substances.