Religion

I was born a hindu. That is my religious identity. But ask me what does it mean to be a hindu and i am at a loss for words. If i would have been born to christians, i would be a christian; to muslim parents, i would be muslim; to jewish, a jew. So is religion just determined by birth? Is it like a mere roll of dice, where you get the religion you are born into? How many among us have taken to different religion after making a deep study of it? Very few ( I am discounting the forced (due to circumstances) conversions, or for benefit (financial, social)  conversions ).

In Bible it is written that a tree is known by the fruit it begets. And it is generally assumed that all religions work towards the same goal : to bring out the inherent divinity within. To give him mental strength, to give peace, to provide a meaning to life. Then why is it that the religious followers are in many cases perpetuating violence in the name of religion? That they become so narrow minded that see all other religions as false. That instead of love and compassion for the fellow human human beings they are filled with greed and hatred. Oh it is also written that judge not one for the faults of many. But why not? Why do we have to follow everything blindly, as supposed words of God, instead of having a open, questioning outlook. Only those afraid of their faults will stifle questioning. Questioning pushes the boundaries, and anything which does not evolve with time, is in the danger of being done away with by nature. Why not judge the religion itself for the faults of many of it's adherents? After all once the critical mass is reached, it becomes  a self perpetuating reaction. Once a critical mass of bad apples is reached, they would start poisoning the environment around them.

Who is to judge what is right or wrong in case of religion? The society, the leader, the interpreter, or we the common people? Indians celebrate the mother aspect of creation most prominently. They worship her in the form of Bhavani, Durga, and thousands of more names through out the country. Then why is the condition of females deplorable in the country? Why are their rights not equal? Why are womens looked down upon, many times mere victims of past traditions than anything else. Why is it that only when she bears a male child (this is changing) and becomes a Mother that her status improves to a certain extent. Gita says follows your own Dharma ( SwaDharma), the one according to your nature, the one you are born into. Why?? You say do your work, don't be attached, don't expect any fruits, don't change your Dharma. Why?? otherwise you will not attain salvation. You will go to hell. And this when God is supposed to be all loving, all compassion, all merciful!

A few cartoons could blow up the sentiments of the whole of one community. Why?

A tree is indeed known by the fruit it begets. So which religion should one follow. From my childhood I have been attracted to all the religions at the intellectual level, but none at the faith level. I found them a bit too strong, a bit too thirsty to my liking. I always maintained my distances from the religions. I have searched for what is good and tried to follow that, and left out the parts that i could not sympathize with. I always felt that " religion existed for me, and not I for the religion." And so i have felt the ridicule sometimes, of my elders. But i am happy with my decision and i am willing to live with that. No single religion envelopes me, i owe my allegiance to  all the philosophies, all the religions, all the ways to lead life. I refuse to be bound down by dogmas.I am free. I am He. I Am.

So imagine my surprise when i read similar thoughts portrayed by Sw Vivekananda. Here is what he said:
" If you want to be religious, enter not the gates of any organised religions. they do a hundred times more evil that good, because they stop the growth of each individual's development. Study everything, but keep your seat firm....[As] the bee culling honey from many flowers remains free, not bound by any flower, be not bound .......[ Religion] is only between you and God, and no third person must come in between you. Think what these organised religions have done! What Napoleon was more terrible than these religious persecutions?...better die working your own natural religion than following another's natural religion, however great it may appear to you."

And "...there have been more Gods than human beings; and yet no help. We die like dogs- no help. Everywhere beastliness, famine, disease, misery, evil! And all are crying for help. But no help. And yet hopeing against hope, we are still screaming for help..... Do not seek help from anyone. We are our own help..... Stand up and be strong! No fear. No superstition..."

In the movie kingdom of heaven, towards the end when he surrenders, the hero asks Sallauddin, as to what did Jerusalem mean to him. And he answers :
" Nothing" and starts walking away. Suddenly he turns, and says:
"Everything"

That is what religion means to me.