Religion has been the major conflict in some countries most especially Nigeria. A lot of damages had been made all in the name of religion. Can religion solve the crises we've caused? Definitely 'No'. Before I Continue, I would like us to review how and why different religions develop. You've probably heard of Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism and also not heard of others like confucianism, Taosim, Mormonism, Hinduism, Henotheism, Diesm.
In all times in our places and history, humans beings have wondered, where do we come from? What's our place in this world? What happens to us when we die? Religion is belief in a spiritual or metaphysical reality (often including at least one deity), accompanied by practices or rituals pertaining to the belief. Driven by the feelings that some questions can only be answered by faith based on the intuition that there's something greater than ourselves, some higher power we must answer to or some source we all spring from and through which we must retain.
Most scholars believe Hinduism started somewhere between 2300 B.C. and 1500 B.C. in the Indus Valley, near modern-day Pakistan. But many Hindus argue that their faith is timeless and has always existed. Unlike other religions, Hinduism has no one founder but is instead a fusion of various beliefs.
Around 1500 B.C., the Indo-Aryan people migrated to the Indus Valley, and their language and culture blended with that of the indigenous people living in the region. There’s some debate over who influenced whom more during this time. The concept of dharma was introduced in new texts, and other faiths, such as Buddhism and Jainism, spread rapidly.
Hinduism vs. Buddhism
Hinduism and Buddhism have many similarities. Buddhism, in fact, arose out of Hinduism, and both believe in reincarnation, karma and that a life of devotion and honor is a path to salvation and enlightenment. But some key differences exist between the two religions: Buddhism rejects the caste system of Hinduism and does away with the rituals, the priesthood and the gods that are integral to the Hindu faith. Hinduism embraces many religious ideas. For this reason, it’s sometimes referred to as a “way of life” or a “family of religions,” as opposed to a single, organized religion.
Most forms of Hinduism are henotheistic, which means they worship a single deity, known as “Brahman,” but still recognize other gods and goddesses. Followers believe there are multiple paths to reaching their god.
Hindus believe in the doctrines of samsara (the continuous cycle of life, death, and reincarnation) and karma (the universal law of cause and effect).
One of the key thoughts of Hinduism is “atman,” or the belief in soul. This philosophy holds that living creatures have a soul, and they’re all part of the supreme soul. The goal is to achieve “moksha,” or salvation, which ends the cycle of rebirths to become part of the absolute soul.
One fundamental principle of the religion is the idea that people’s actions and thoughts directly determine their current life and future lives.
Hindus strive to achieve dharma, which is a code of living that emphasizes good conduct and morality.
Hindus revere all living creatures and consider the cow a sacred animal.
Buddhism began with a young prince named Siddhartha, on the night she was conceived, his mother is said to have been visited by white elephant who entered her side. The Prince who was born into a life of luxury witnessed the human suffering which led him to set out to investigate it's sources. He gave up his possession because he thought the problem is attached to materials things which led him to be a beggar. As he stood under a tree, he heard a music teacher telling a student "don't tighten the string too much for it will break, but don't let it go too slack for it won't make a sound". He realized that looking for an answer was a mistake and while he was meditating under a Bodhi tree the rest of the answers came to him. Life is abound to suffering and it's due to selfish carving of one's fulfilment at the expense of others and by following an eight step way can teach them how to reduce the cravings and sufferings. The eight step way is to is to enlightened people on peace and steadfastness. From the day he got up from the tree till he died as an old man. The Buddhist taught people how to become enlightened; right speech, right mind goals their heart focus on what's real and a heart on loving others. Many Buddhist believe in God/God's but their actions are more than their belief.
Judaism began with God calling Abraham and Sarah to leave mesopotamia and migrate to the land of Canaan in return for their faith in one true God. From this promise came the land of Israel and the choose people. They were enslaved in Egypt but God freed them with a prophet called Moses. People that practice this religion are regarded as the descendants of Moses. This religion preachs love, fear of God and also there are selective with what they eat which makes lot of them a vegetarian. There are 14 millions of Jews in the world today, 6 million in Israel which became independent following the horrors of genocide in the world war 11 and 5millions in united States.
2000 years ago in Judaism promise land, Christianity was born. Just as Hindus called Krishna"God in human form" Christianity says the same thing about Jesus and it grew out of Judaism just as Buddhism grew out of Hinduism. The Angel Gabriel sent by God of Abraham to tell a young woman named Mary to become the mother of his Son. The Son was Jesus raised as a carpenter by Mary and her husband Joseph. Until he turned 30 he began his career as the living word of God, less interested in religiousness than in Mercy. Jesus healed the sick in order to draw the crowds and taught them the teachings about his heavenly father; affectionate, forgiving and attentive. He had only three years to accomplish his mission on earth. He was arrested and executed at Rome through crucifixion. The first christians describe his resurrection appearance that his messages was true. The message"love one another as I have loved you".
Islam begqn 1400 years ago with a man of great virtue Muhammad, meditating in a mountain care in the Arabian desert. He was visited by a divine messenger, Angel Gabriel in Arabic, Jubril delivering to him the words of Allah. The one God of Abraham, in some few years, more and more messages came and he taught the virtues he has recited. The word muslin means one who submits to the will of God.
Their five most important duties are called five pillars.
Shahada: they declare that there's no other God but Allah and muhammad is his final prophet .
Sala: they pray five times daily facing Mecca
Zakat: every Muslim is required to give to the less privilege
Sam: they fast during daylight hours for lunar month 9d Ramadan to strengthen their will power and reliance in God.
Hagg: once in a lifetime, every Muslim must make a prilimage to the holy city of Mecca rehearsing for the time where they will stand before God to be judged worthy or unworthy with the word of God written in the prophetic book called Quran
Most of these religion has these in common
They seem to have the understanding of ethics and moral values towards other people
They believe in God/gods
There's a golden rule to treat others the way they will like to be treated
They also preach love.
Judaism, Christianity, Islam has similar origins.
If our religion preach love, moral, ethics and also claim to serve the only one God, why should there be conflict among us? Why should we place one religion above the other religion? Why should we kill people all in the name of fighting for our God? Why should religion be imposed on individuals when we have the right to religion?DAlso why should there be discrimination in the social sector? Does the fight, discrimination and malice worth it? I think religion should not be blamed for the conflict but we as individuals. Therefore I think it's time we let go of religion crises and focus on loving others even as God did to us, enlighten ourselves on the ethics and moral values to coexist peacefully.
0 Comments