Religion

TOK Assignment:

Religion

By definition, Religion 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 the devotion to something or someone that a person regards as a supreme being.

There is this saying that "Never discuss religion or politics” as discussions over these two result in a great deal of controversy and heated debate providing no real conclusion except the different perspectives on religion which can cause misunderstandings in relationships. Such topics are avoided, especially religion so as maintain harmony in relationships. Even the language that one uses while talking about one’s own or someone else’s relationship should be appropriate so as to avoid offending others. When one shares their perspective on religion, it releases all kinds of issues that can be dealt with. The religion you follow is a sort of identity especially culturally as it defines you background and heritage. Hence the need for most people to follow religion.

Often when the religion is discussed, heated debates start off. Therefore when you are proving a point, it is necessary to support your belief with an experience in order to present your point more strongly. Religion often depicts emotions depending on the kind of person you are and the beliefs you possess. The religion you follow shows what type of a person you are, what do you believe in and the reason why you believe in it.

According to me God has always existed. I believe in the existence of God, a supreme being above all of us. But religion as most people believe, is the path towards finding God. Practicing religion is done in order to reach that one Supreme entity. It is a way of channelizing your beliefs towards that Supreme entity. People generally tend to believe that religion leads to God but that may not necessarily be the case. These people perform innumerable rituals and customs in order to what they think,“ appeases GOD”. It is a belief that has been fed into us from the very beginning that there is God and he is above all and in order for him to help us or see us, we pray as well as perform all sorts of rituals. It is difficult to question the existence and normally people refrain themselves from doing so.

However there are books and journals written on past occurrences that allow people to believe in God and devote themselves to him but how reliable are these sources? Infact even when ritual or “ havans “ are going, the priest narrates real life stories about the existence of God and how by performing this ritual, one will be able to see God or a miracle will happen.

Therefore religion becomes this fallacy, this sort of thing people follow in order to make that connection with God. Religion becomes the path to meet God. Also religion allows us to reach out to something that may perhaps help us answer our questions. It has become a depending factor, a support system on which people rely on. It is a permit to allow people to perform certain acts and base it on the name of religion. For example most people fast for seven days without knowing the reason as to why they are fasting in the first place. They have no real knowledge as to why a fast is performed. They just follow this custom on the pretext of doing it for God.

There are other people who think that religion is an obligation, whether it is directed towards you family, a person or even the society. Then there are those sections of people who believe that religion is a way of finding God in you. It could be true, as people have experienced God – like miracles. Following religion correctly will help you find the right path to God. There are also those section of people who convert to religion from another one or become religious from holding a non –religious stance. This is possible but conversion occurs when someone find the religion appealing to their emotions. For example Richard Gere converted to Buddhism as he found their ideals common to his thoughts about God.

Now there are different religions all across the world. Sometimes you choose your religion or you follow what your ancestors have followed. For example if you are born a Hindu, you are bound to continue to follow the Hindi customs and rituals. There is rarely any questioning as to why one should be doing this. Also religion helps bring people closer together forming an unshakeable bond. It brings peace and serenity to one’s mind knowing that perhaps there is a force that is watching over them and guiding them in an unknown way. Most people pray in order to get a miracle to happen or when one needs something. Can this be defined as following a religion correctly?

People continue to change their stance and beliefs as they grow and learn more about all religions. Ones perception and opinions continue to, as they grow older. Therefore is a system of faith and which brings about a feeling of absolute dependence. It is a "cultural system" which was dominant for most of the 20th century and continues to be widely accepted today.