Religion can be the foundation of your thought process and how you perceive the world. Right from childhood, your parents teach you the basics of religion and God. They preach you on the things that are ‘good’ and ‘bad’ as per the religion. But, in reality, what role does religion play in your life? How does faith impact your life? And what is the importance of religion in society? Read on to find the answers below!
What Is Religion?
Religion is a social-cultural system denoting the way of living. But in this era, is religion a necessity or a significant part of our lives? Most people believe that religion is a code of life that enables us to live in peace and harmony. They find it difficult to live without believing in a religion or embracing spirituality.
The history of human evolution has gradually witnessed the presence of religion. Ancient tombs, churches, temples, cathedrals, etc are all related to religion or religious gods.
People have died for it, many have renounced their family, carrier and more just so they could come closer to God. Wars in the name of religion have been waged and lives have been lost. Money, love, power, relationships, property; religion trumps it all. But actually what is ‘religion’?
Is Religion a symbol of faith in God?
There are many religions all over the world; they all believe that there is one power that is beyond human control or understanding. Religion somehow defines who we are and shapes our identity.
Every religion has some religious beliefs and they affect how we think.
For believers religion is a spiritual, intellectual frame of work, it guides you to lead a life of sincerity and being good.
Does Religion Play An Important Role In Your Life?
In many of our lives, religion does play an important role. Here’s why:
1. It is a way to explain what we do not understand
There are a lot of things that are beyond the realm of human understanding. Â Our existence and how we got here can be explained by various religions all over the world. They help provide a purpose in life. On the contrary, if science has other answers, there are also religions that go hand in hand with scientific sayings. So what really leads to evolution?
2. Religion provides Discipline
Following a faith or a religion, help decide boundaries, the difference between good and bad.
It directs people to walk on the righteous path, helping others, doing the right thing for humanity. Religion teaches to be responsible for your own actions and in charity.
3. Provides moral and emotional support
Practicing some form of religion helps a person to find ways to cleanse pray and practice patience. Following a discipline strengthens the level of tolerance towards ill fate, how to pick what is right over wrong. All the principles of Karma, yoga, and meditation lead to some sort of spiritual belief within each one of us making us emotionally strong.
4. Practicing/following a religious practice leads to less stress
They are several sources of stress these days. And dealing with stress in a healthy manner is important for a happy life.
People, who are religious, seem to be content. It is their belief that since they are practicing their faith it brings them closer to the power behind this universe.
If they are in pain they find support not only from family but also like-minded people. So they are able to get all the social support. Spiritual practice can make them happy and provide help to reduce stress.
5. Life seems to be full of love and joy
Compassion, joy, and love seem to surround those who are believers.
Religion is not about being orthodox or rudimentary; it simply tells you how to live a good life.
The golden rule of all religions of the world is to be good and do well; be honest and kind. This can actually end all wars, racism, hunger and poverty.
6. For many, religion is the source of life
Having someone to always share your feelings, just to request your wishes or even complain about your miseries; itself brings a sense of ease and lightens one’s mind. Religion is just a belief in the superpower of creation.
Like humans, God must have made mistakes too, following God’s philosophy one must learn from their mistakes and at the same time try not to repeat them. We all have the freedom to be good.
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Millennials and Religion – The Great Disconnect
However, millennials have a different take on religion. They rather believe in spirituality. It is a deep peace and well being. They are curious about things that logic and science cannot explain. There is a great disconnect between millennials and religion. They link religion with the following.
1. Political entanglement
Globally religion seems to be affiliated with politics nowadays. It becomes difficult to separate the two and in that case, religion loses its meaning. Political ego bends religion for its benefit.
2. Monetizing religion
In the name of faith, the religious leaders; who are supposed to guide us have become power-hungry. The practice of faith has become a business. It has lost its esthetics.
3. Easily available information
Since information is easily available online, sometimes it brings a lot of anxiety in the youngsters. They are confused. Spirituality helps them, they believe in the goodness of human nature.
4. Conservative thoughts
Some of the religious teachings seem to be outdated and outright conservative. Sadly, many religious teachings are completely shifted meaning from what the original source was. Hence, religion is perceived as hypocritical!
5. We are just practical
We the youth think more logically. If there is some logic behind what religion teaches us, we follow that. Spirituality is not synonymous with religion, but today’s generation values self-expression and there is nothing wrong with it.
Concluding thoughts,
For me, religion is also about self-expression. We must follow what our mind tells us to. We need to experiment with the spiritual being. How a person perceives the faith should be their personal view. No one can make you follow a particular set of rules; rather you should have faith in your actions and dedication.
Follow the true pillars religion like:
- care
- love
- compassion
- sympathy
- empathy
- and truthfulness
Only then would you would be truly religious. Which religion do you follow? And what are your thoughts about being religious? Do you think religion makes a simple life as complicated? Share your comments below!
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Note:Â These views are just personal thoughts from the author and is not intended to hurt anyone’s feelings. Everyone is welcome to have his/her own opinion on religion and its existence.
