Are you RELIGIOUS ?
I believe everyone is asked this question on many occasions, especially when someone shows his views which look somehow classical or strange to others. Like here in Egypt when someone growing his beard, people start to ask him: "Are you religious?". Also according to this question some people define others as good or bad, ignorant or hateful , etc.. . And as a matter of fact many violent actions were committed in the name of religion , which make people who are interested in science and arts don't believe in religion or a God in a way that looks challenging and sometimes hateful to the extent of extremism .
So, what does the Religion means? , so we can judge whether it is good or evil, truth or a lie, ignorant or useful, etc... .
According to the web dictionary Religion is: "A set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a supernatural agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs". And also according to Merriam-Webster's dictionary Religion is: "the service and worship of God or the supernatural; commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance ". To me I have considered Religion as following a certain religion of the main three : (Judaism , Christianity or Islam), but this way of understanding made me confuse sometimes because it made me question what if I made a wrong choice? , how far it is going to mess up with my life in this life or the next?. Also, what about the other people who don't follow what I believe? , they seem very nice people and they want to practice their beliefs the same way I want to practice my belief!
But if you look more closer to any Religion, you will find the supernatural power as God is mention in one same pattern, while the Rest of what religion calls for is about people's activity among each other and between them and God. However many people don't follow their religion to the letter , and many of them ignores what their faith is stating and just keep the names and sometimes leave the whole subject of the religion he follows in particular or any religion in general . On the other side, people who stick to their religion are more closed to each other and they don't prefer to deal with anyone who doesn't believe in the same thing they believe. But very few people who could solve the problem, they followed what they believed and achieved unity among all the people, and you can find them within every religion!
In my opinion, the problem was never about God or the name of the religion, it is all about what the people want. Religion can be used to justify hate, violence, disrespecting to any group of people, exactly like the fork you can use to eat or to kill. And the definitions mentioned about religion earlier are not enough, because it will lead you to the assumption that religion was made by people to control people.
I consider Religion is the point of reference you put for yourself in everything you do or say or even think , they way you dress up is a religion , the way you eat is a religion , the way you connect to your creator is a religion , they way you treat people is a religion etc… .Subsequently the major and the minor Religions from my opinion are a collection of these religions which refers itself to a point of reference which is the belief in God way or another. So, I consider not only Monotheism faiths are Religions, but also polytheism , Atheism and Agnosticism are Religions too !
The question I believe that me and everyone should ask is, what is the religion among all of these religions can define us as noble human beings?!!
I will answer this question based on my experience and the knowledge I have gained so far, in my next blog!
