Dear JGN, I completely agree with u that man created god. However, come to look at it, the gods created by different societies look drastically different.Take Hinduism as an example.Look at deities created by tribals living in the forest:"they will have violent characteristics, will ask for sacrifices, has no characteristics related to knowledge, art etc". Contrast this with deities which are created by (so called) upper caste people like Saraswati, Gayathri, Sharada etc. : "None of these deities are violent blood hungry gods". So what does all this tell you, what this means is that "The god/deity is a reflection of the mindset of the people who created it". Now take a look at islam, you will clearly see that what value system and the social order advocated by it clearly is a reflection of 6th century Arabia. By the way, the goal of all religions may not always be the same as some would like to oversimplify. Religions like xianity and Islam (attempt to)provide a workable social, moral and ethical framework to the society while on the other hand, religions like Hinduism and Budhism go beyond this and act as A path towards 'self realization' (which they consider the ultimate goal). Infact the concept of god is not a necessity in Hinduism to achieve this ultimate goal.
RE:@JGN, about religions
by Raja Ashok on Feb 25, 2008 07:19 PM Permalink
I fully agree with you in the sense that the so called 'religion of peace' is by and large irrelevant for the modern India. It is in our own interest that all of us relinquish that religion and adopt human values.
RE:@JGN, about religions
by JGN on Feb 25, 2008 07:27 PM Permalink
Dear Neo Intellectual & Raja Ashok, the religions have outlived their utility. The so-called holy books are creations of surrealistic visionaries. There is no conclusive evidence for the existence of any god.
Believe in the principles of neo-humanism. Believe in the basic goodness of all human beings. More importantly believe in yourself. You are not inferior to some one who lived on planet earth hundreds of years back nor do you have to follow what is written in a book thousands of years back.
Pl download and read The Necessity of Atheism by Dr. D.M. Brooks freely available at Project Gutenberg. Also visit the web of Positive Atheism and Actual Freedom-the thrid Alternative (this is an alternative to organized religions)!
I had been a an atheist for many years. I no longer call myself neither an atheist nor a believer nor an agnostic.There is a big difference between spirituality and religion. I am interested only in the former.I personally do not feel the need for any religion for myself but I can not say the same about the society at large. I think, an 'unorganized religion' is not a better alternative to 'organized religion'. Atheism, third alternative etc., depend on the person being rational and courageous(thru education). Can we expect our whole society to be 'rational'? Can we try and convince a 'kisan' in eastern Bihar about say, 'positive atheism'? (Well, just to remind you, Buddha tried this, and what an irony, he himself came to be worshiped as God). So my point is society needs the opium called religion. The only thing what the intelligentsia needs to do is decide in what doses.
RE:@JGN, about religions
by pattu on Feb 25, 2008 09:23 PM Permalink
Dear JGN I totally agree with your statement that "Believe in the basic goodness of all human beings". There is no contradiction with beleiving God with this idea. Actually Vedanta in Hinduism tells you to that Brahman (not Brahmin) is inside you, which is infinite goodness, infinite purity, infinite love. And to reach God in Hinduism is to reach this state by self realization. You don't have to worship a deity to do that, but worshiping deity doesn't harm, if you see in it the manifestation of these qualities. Swami Vivekananda's writings on Vedanta clearly states these ideas couple of centuries ago before Dr. Brooks.
RE:@JGN, about religions
by Confused Mind on Feb 25, 2008 10:20 PM Permalink
Secularism & democracy are the foundations of Hinduism. Caste saved India from dark days by providing some basic purpose in life. Religion is One and should be limited to Human Character and Human Values with One Common Law encouraging people to develop their Body and Mind, Emotions and Intellect, Creativity and Consciousness. The caste is a scientific concept but has been abused and distorted by confused people. It basically means that to live life intelligently we need to effectively balance the 4-forces within - Thinker, Protector, Economist, Worker - and also while governing society. This is all based on natural human intelligence. The roots of the ancient Indian philosophy which goes by the name Hinduism is actually secular, logical and universal. The idols symbolize objectives in life: Shiva (freedom), Durga (Strength), Saraswati (Knowledge), Lakshmi (Wealth), Ganesh (Wisdom). Life is God. These Goddesses are not really goddesses per se but symbolize the objectives of the pursuit of human life. All civilized societies in the world practice this in principle as it is the natural & true meaning of 'secularism' & 'humanism' followed by all. Check out, A Religion Called 'Human', for more details. Things are simple, we complicate. Buddha wanted to explain the same thing that clarity & understanding makes all the difference.
RE:@JGN, about religions
by Rayon on Feb 26, 2008 12:29 AM Permalink
I completely disagree. There is a god and that god is god of israel god for all god in the bible. Repent or perish in hell with your gods
RE:@JGN, about religions
by pattu on Feb 26, 2008 01:12 AM Permalink
Rayon, my friend, your God of Israel and the supreme one God of Hindus are the same One. You are worshipping our God and we yours. Don't worry, nobody will go to hell if one has faith in one's God. And we the hindus don't believe is hell, that is too cruel a concept for all merciful, loving and forgiving God. You be good to yourself and others, your, ours, everybodies God will love you.
