Acharya Prashant, founder of Prashant Advait Foundation, Greater Noida
Monday, 16 October 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Why do conflicts occur and why is there cruelty at all levels? These two aspects reveal the significance of religion in the lives of ordinary people.
For the average person, religion primarily consists of a collection of stories and beliefs. I have my own narrative as do you and I can believe in anything just as you can hold different beliefs. I may believe that I may realise god through pursuit of the Truth while you may believe in the teachings of a particular prophet. When everyone adheres to personal beliefs conflicts arise because each individual holds his or her own perspective of what is right. As long as religion is synonymous with faith, belief or a system of personal convictions, these conflicts remain unresolved since our beliefs are inherently subjective.
Take the ongoing conflict between Islam and Judaism both of which are part of the Abrahamic religious tradition. They have much in common such as a shared belief in the same prophets. Nevertheless, they continue to engage in conflicts due to differences in specific aspects of their faiths. Additionally, they dispute over geographically close holy places, most notably over the city of Jerusalem which holds sacred significance for all three major Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The divergence in their beliefs fuels this ongoing conflict.
As long as religion is primarily defined by belief rather than curiosity, it will persist as a source of division and violence. The nature of religious beliefs, rooted in faith, makes it difficult to reconcile varying viewpoints. In contrast, scientists resolve disputes and engage in discussions based on evidence and reason, not just faith.
The essence of religion should be an endeavour to comprehend its underlying purpose. Religion should be about the pursuit of the Truth, but it often becomes dominated by stories and myths, lacking a strong philosophical foundation. Conflicts arise when individuals place unwavering faith in distinct notions without questioning them.
For example, consider the Israel-Hamas conflict which, from an external perspective, appears as a large-scale battle. However, at its core, it involves individuals passionately defending their beliefs, similar to children fervently arguing about their favorite comic book heroes. The underlying cause of these conflicts is the deeply ingrained nature of beliefs.
Israel declared its intent to cease military actions in Gaza while Hamas retaliated by launching more than 5,000 rockets. The conflict also involved incursions into Israel and occupied homes and hospitals. Tragically, in many instances, small children became unintended victims of violence. This brutality emerges from the religious framework that strongly emphasises one’s religious identity, identifying the ultimate Father, the nature of God and the creator of life as a central aspect of an individual’s identity.
Religion should ideally inspire individuals to question, seek knowledge and engage in an ongoing quest for Truth. However, many religious texts initiate with strict commandments that followers must unquestioningly accept, stifling curiosity and inquiry. There exists a notable distinction between a cult and a genuine religion. Cults coerce adherents into unquestioning belief while true religions encourage exploration and a quest for understanding. When someone challenges one’s religion, it can feel akin to a death sentence. The emotional attachment to one’s religious beliefs may run deep, as these beliefs often form the emotional core of an individual’s identity. Hence, any perceived affront to these beliefs can trigger strong reactions, resulting in cruelty and hostility. Consequently, when someone criticises or questions an individual’s faith, it can feel like a personal attack.
Religion should center on questioning, inquiry and introspection. The importance of each individual’s perspective should be acknowledged and respected, nurturing a religion that values individuality. This is in stark contrast to a cult-like approach that promotes conformity. Religion should be a personal journey that encourages individuals to explore their inner selves and discover their personal truths.
Religious individuals often react strongly to challenges or contradictions concerning their faith because deeper down, they understand that their beliefs often lack a solid factual basis and primarily rely on blind faith. When their beliefs are questioned, they may become defensive and irate, perceiving these challenges as threats to their faith. This blind adherence is a hallmark of religious fanaticism.
Religion should not be confined to rigid beliefs and doctrines. Instead, it should encompass conduct, principles and moral values. Religious teachings should not dictate what one should eat, wear, or when to sleep, wake up or fast. Every individual is unique and holds inherent value as a creation of God. Respect for these unique identities should be universal. Rather than promoting the concept that only one individual is great and should be followed without question, true religion should celebrate and nurture individual freedom.
Individuals should be granted the liberty to question all aspects of their faith, including the teachings of revered religious figures. While respect for these figures is essential, critical inquiry should be an integral component of religious practice.
One could argue that ongoing conflicts are not eternal but rather temporary, bound to be resolved eventually, whether in ten, twenty or fifty years. These conflicts may transition from active warfare to cold war status as time passes. The adage “in the long run, we are all dead” reminds us of the finite nature of conflicts. Eventually, every battle, regardless of its scale, comes to an end.
At its core, human beings are fundamentally creatures marked by ignorance. The central objective of religion should be to awaken individuals from their inherent suffering and provide them with a path toward genuine happiness. For those whose religious beliefs have strayed from this purpose, their lives have been adversely affected. Those who have embraced a superficial understanding of religion, akin to colorful children’s comics filled with entertaining stories and vivid illustrations, find it challenging to discover true peace in life.
(The writer is a teacher of Vedanta. Views expressed are personal)
