Has our world become a dangerous place to live? The number of bomb blasts that rocked our country over the past few months raises this question. I was wondering what could be the reason behind such awful acts. Most of the blasts, terrorist acts are accounted in the name of religion. I believe it is the superstition of few people triggering such acts or superstition is the “medium” that are used to make people conduct such acts. Is religion the culprit that has a corrupt by-product called superstition? Do we need a world with out religion?
Religion to me is a way of living. If followed in proper way, it brings discipline in one’s life. Most of the rituals done as part of religious practices can bring harmony to life. One of the many simple examples I can point to is Surya Namaskara – During early morning the atmosphere layers are very thin and the rays coming out are very good for the skin. The physical exercises done during surya namaskara can help you develop able body. Similarly, there are zillion such practices that can bring prosperity to your life.
Like a coin has two sides, religion also has a bad side and that is superstition. Even if you weigh the good effects vs bad effects of religion, it doesn’t deserve to be replaced or abolished. Can any one show me a system which is 100% perfect? I don’t think any one ever can. A replacement system for religion can also be error prone. Also, it is practically impossible to replace something society has been following for thousands of years. It will put lives in jeopardy. It doesn’t make sense to replace/abolish religion because it induces superstition and by ignoring the good things it can bring to life.
The best way out is to refine than replace. I would urge those rational thinkers (atheists) to stop blaming the religion and re-group their energy to refine it. At present, many practice rituals to get GOD’s blessing. They are not trying to understand why it is practiced. Everything is done in the name of GOD. This has been the reason for the upsurge of superstitious practices. We have to make people aware of reasons behind practicing rituals, like the way I explained Surya Namaskara. Educate why a ritual is performed and by practicing it, how one's life will prosper.
Once people start analyzing, they will be able to differentiate superstitious practices from good practices. One can stop himself from falling for superstitions. People will then realize bomb blasts, terrorist acts won’t get them to heaven and Jihad doesn’t mean killing innocent people.
We need to figure out ways to educate people. Technology is very advanced these days and we can reach to the masses relatively easy. Television, news paper, internet etc. can be a good medium. If we can include such topics as part of our curriculum in schools and colleges, it will do a lot of good for the next generation. Qualified professionals like engineers, doctors, lawyers etc. getting into the act of terrorism shows lack of such kind of education.
I believe, this method will work as we are neither criticizing nor asking people to do anything drastically different. Rather, we are going in their path and educating them about what they are doing.
