Religion

According to me religion is believing a particular entity. It is a system of human thought which usually includes a set of narratives, symbols, beliefs and practices that give meaning to the practitioner's experiences of life through reference to a higher power, deity or deities, or ultimate truth. It is channeling you belief to a particular entity or supreme power. We can identify one’s religion by the practitioner’s prayer, rituals, music, art etc, but also through society and politics. Religion gives one a direction to project his faith in, and each religious movement be it Jainism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam etc. has a certain set of rituals which differentiate it from other religions. Religion takes into consideration emotional and social interests of people and people follow a religion. People have different views about religion according to their way of life, and kind of person he is. A person may take religion to be a way of life and live by it, while other would question its existence. Again, it depends on one’s background, lifestyle and perception.
Some people believe that following a particular religion is he only path to attain salvation, and reach God, but that does not hold necessarily true. One can believe that God exists within him, but we have been made to believe that defying or not following one’s religion is not ethical. People follow a religion as it is often something they identify themselves with. They have particular common traditions and rituals which they associate with their religion. A scientific study says that people who follow a particular religion tend to be more content with life, as one turns to religion which is a gateway to the supreme power or God who answers all their questions and solves all their problems. A study also says that believing in religion fosters a sense of community and unity, and in order to survive people need people. In this age of depression, work load, tense relationships, people believe that there is one unbiased entity to which they can look and discuss their problems. A large purpose of believing in a particular religion is purpose of life and the values that come along with it. It serves as a support system for people but sometimes one can do unethical deeds in the name of religion. Political parties often do things which are not justified, on the name of religion. There are biases in religion. A person who believes in religion will always gather evidence to prove that the religion exists, and anything related to the religion is justified. A particular culture would have a different religion, while an Arab or Islamic country has a population following the religion of Islam. The people may not want to follow the religion but the fact that they are from this country makes it necessary for them to follow it. Following a religion has a sentimental value, as people are emotionally attached to the religion they follow. They look up to their God and believe in his existence above anything. There is also fear of society, and of God is they defy or do not follow rituals related to a religion. For example, in Jainism the followers fast, during an eight day holy period called Pajuushan. Followers may not know why they do this but they still follow it. Why is it that everything is followed in these eight days but after that, one returns back to his normal original way of life?
Religion brings people closer and unites them. It gives a person an identity; brings together people using the same language, having the same culture. It imparts values and knowledge and helps one to lead a better life. I don’t believe that it is a way of life, but instead a part of life. It involves spirituality which is essential in ones life. It is not easy to change from one religion to another, or start believing in a religion when you previously do not believe in any as one has been attached to an idea which is difficult to let go of. As perceptions may change after a passage of time, ones belief in religion can also change.
http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2009/02/does-religion-m.html