By Jenniefer Dkhar
Let me start by appreciating those who have found it rightful and lawful to point out and clear doubts as to why we can’t call our state a Christian state. Rightfully so since ours is a secular country. This then paved a way for me to start thinking about the significance of faith and religion itself. What popped out immediately was this thought that no matter what faith we may adopt and practice, each one of them must be equally respected and revered for all faiths have the teachings of God at the core. I, for one, have nurtured the belief that whatever religion an individual may follow and practice no religion and no faith will ever teach him/her to do wrong and to live wrong. All religions adhere to love and adoration, respect and dedication, sincerity and allegiance to everything that is righteous and honest. If, by chance, in the name of faith and religion a wrong is committed then it is simply a flaw in perception and interpretation of a few.
Having said that let me try to understand the simple meaning of faith and religion. What actually is this faith? What is religion? Let’s start with faith. As understood by one and all, faith is trust, conviction, commitment, passion about someone or something. What is it that makes one have this faith or what is the root of this faith? Can it be seen evolving through or out of the love and adulation that we have for people and a cause? Well, I strongly believe that love can do wonders. When we love anyone and anything, that is where we put our faith, trust and conviction in. We do all we can to keep that faith intact and alive. What happens when we have this faith within us? We respect it. We revere it. We hold it to the highest regard. It then becomes the one thing that we will nurture and take utmost care to see that it never falters and crumbles. It then makes us one with God who loves us and expects us to trust and respect one another and have optimum faith on one another.
What then is religion? It makes me wonder if this faith is not religion. Yes religion, where the presence of God is felt. Basically, religion is worship, homage and faith to an entity that is invisible and holy that we all call God. Hence religion teaches us to respect, revere and pay homage to God and God’s creations. I firmly believe that love is what binds religion and mankind closely. Here, I am reminded of a song by the band Firehouse, titled; You Are My Religion. The chorus goes like this: Not just on Sunday, I love you everyday . . . You are my religion. When our hearts are filled with love, it is this love that has the power to heal, to change hearts and to bring back faith to a heart and a soul that has lost it all. The line in the same song ; “I found my heaven right here with you” can actually allow us to find heaven right here on earth if we can have love sowed so deeply and strongly in our hearts that it overflows and spills over every time we are in touch with God’s creations. When we give love and receive love, we live and fulfil the wishes of God. And yes, this is then heaven. This is the closest that we can get to God. Love should then be our faith and religion because where there is love there is God. Love and religion – beautiful words with equally beautiful meanings!
Having said that I cannot help but look at reality in the face! I’m tempted to refer to the quote of Hubert Reeves when he says, “Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible God and slaughters a visible Nature … without realizing that this Nature he slaughters is this invisible God he worships.” My keen interest in the quote, besides everything meaningful that Reeves has said is the word “Nature”. The slaughter of Nature here may firstly be perceived as the bare nature in terms of rivers, air, mountains, flora, fauna or in a nutshell, mother earth. Today there is a lot that is being spoken aloud about the need to preserve nature and the earth. Why? Isn’t it because we have become careless and less appreciative of Mother Nature?
Interestingly, Reeves’ reference to “Nature” here may also be seen and read differently. Nature here could also be perceived as human nature that again meets the slaughter of God when man fails to adhere to the teachings of God. I am saddened to say that human nature today has deteriorated to the extent that the word ‘slaughter’ seems to be appropriate when placed against human beings; their actions and even intentions. If we do not shy away from slaughtering Mother Nature for our personal gain and convenience, we do not also hesitate to kill and slaughter the humane nature that we are born with. If our belief is affirmed on this wise concept that God has moulded Himself in the shape and feature of man/woman then to be Godly is to revere and love all humankind just as God does without any distinctions and discriminations. Alas! This is not to be. Today, when we claim to be religious people and religiously visit places of worship and bow our heads in reverence to God almighty, we seem to have actually missed out the true meaning and essence of religion. If we are godly then we should also be God fearing and God abiding. We must then live our lives with conscientious minds that will shun all evil and accept all that is good. We must not only profess but indeed practice all that God rightfully wishes us to be. We cannot pretend to be pious and virtuous while carrying out deeds that are wicked and sinful. The most important assets that God has bestowed on us (unlike in the other creations of God) is the ability to think and feel. Why not use these assets for a good cause? Why not keep aside our man-made distinctions and unfold the seed of love to one and all? Why not make a good start by thinking right, feeling right and doing right for humankind?
To be religious is to love all humans without making any distinction. To be religious is to respect humankind in its fullest glory. To be religious is to be there for one and all especially in times of need, hardships, pain and sorrow. To be religious is to be selfless and self sacrificing. To be religious is to be what God has made you to be. There is no other powerful religion than love and devotion and there is no greater faith than mankind’s commitment and allegiance to how God wants us to be. As we approach the end of the year, let us all put our love and faith on fellow human beings and adopt humanity, selflessness, kindness, patience and tolerance as our religion. I am sure we can, because a little of God and godliness is still closely embedded in our hearts. I wish everyone Merry Christmas and a Happy, Joyful, Meaningful and Blessed 2017!