I find myself at a confusing point in my life I think. I enjoy Sikhi. I enjoy learning about religions in general. But none of my learning has convinced me there is (a) god. Almost, the opposite I might say.
Here are some of my thoughts:
a) Many religions seem to claim, or at least have adherants who do claim that if you believe in god you will go to heaven. If you don't you will go to hell. My take on it is...if there IS a truely loving and forgiving almighty god, then surely he or she should be able to forgive the minor transgression of not believing in him or her, if you are a loving and decent human being.
b) many religious texts seem to have multiple areas where they claim god did this or that, most of which are actually pretty HORRIBLE situations. Floods, killing of people, raping of people. Why, if the so-called loving caring god is seemingly intent on hurting and killing his or her people, would I want to follow that god? My kids make transgressions all the time but I don't try to kill them, or whatever. Part of being a parent is forgiving and getting over it when kids hurt you or do silly things. I've seen texts that claim that supposedly god killed thousands more people in the bible than the devil did...why on earth??
c) A little along the lines of a), there are many people out there with quite a "holier than thou" chip on their shoulder. They are *more* (insert religion) than someone else because they are more diligent at following the religious books than the next person along. They act as if they are better, and thus are more likely to be forgiven than the next person along too. And so, we end up with people who think their religion is the only way of being good and gaining access to heaven...not based on really doing much towards humanity (really, what does not cutting one's hair do for HUMANITY? what does wearing a muslim head covering do for all of humanity? What about celebrating Christmas, Easter, or Channukah? Do ANY of those, in and of themselves, help people out in general? NO.). There are decent kind loving Sikh people who cut their hair because they don't see it as the be-all end-all of what defines them as a person and what defines their attitude towards their religion, and there are people who are Christian who seem to claim that just because they actually WEAR a cross around their neck they are better than those who don't. Really, in the end, who cares what you do about your own body, your own person, YOU in general? It is what you do for OTHERS that should count (why I enjoy doing seva).
d) so often very religious people seem to be content to tell people who are suffering that god CHOOSES them to suffer to prove his love to them. This kind of comes back to b) again. I want to say what on earth is that supposed to mean??? Why would I want to have any desire whatsoever to believe in a god, a father/mother figure who will MAKE ME SUFFER ON PURPOSE??? I'd much rather believe in karma and hazard and things happening not necessarily for a reason but just...because. Because you're in the wrong place at the wrong time kind of stuff.
Assuming there IS a judgement day...that once we die we do go off either to heaven or hell...I am sure that I will be directed towards the best place for me based on how I acted towards others, towards society, and not what religion I practice in this life...hey maybe I'll be reincarnated as a rock. ;-)
Here are some of my thoughts:
a) Many religions seem to claim, or at least have adherants who do claim that if you believe in god you will go to heaven. If you don't you will go to hell. My take on it is...if there IS a truely loving and forgiving almighty god, then surely he or she should be able to forgive the minor transgression of not believing in him or her, if you are a loving and decent human being.
b) many religious texts seem to have multiple areas where they claim god did this or that, most of which are actually pretty HORRIBLE situations. Floods, killing of people, raping of people. Why, if the so-called loving caring god is seemingly intent on hurting and killing his or her people, would I want to follow that god? My kids make transgressions all the time but I don't try to kill them, or whatever. Part of being a parent is forgiving and getting over it when kids hurt you or do silly things. I've seen texts that claim that supposedly god killed thousands more people in the bible than the devil did...why on earth??
c) A little along the lines of a), there are many people out there with quite a "holier than thou" chip on their shoulder. They are *more* (insert religion) than someone else because they are more diligent at following the religious books than the next person along. They act as if they are better, and thus are more likely to be forgiven than the next person along too. And so, we end up with people who think their religion is the only way of being good and gaining access to heaven...not based on really doing much towards humanity (really, what does not cutting one's hair do for HUMANITY? what does wearing a muslim head covering do for all of humanity? What about celebrating Christmas, Easter, or Channukah? Do ANY of those, in and of themselves, help people out in general? NO.). There are decent kind loving Sikh people who cut their hair because they don't see it as the be-all end-all of what defines them as a person and what defines their attitude towards their religion, and there are people who are Christian who seem to claim that just because they actually WEAR a cross around their neck they are better than those who don't. Really, in the end, who cares what you do about your own body, your own person, YOU in general? It is what you do for OTHERS that should count (why I enjoy doing seva).
d) so often very religious people seem to be content to tell people who are suffering that god CHOOSES them to suffer to prove his love to them. This kind of comes back to b) again. I want to say what on earth is that supposed to mean??? Why would I want to have any desire whatsoever to believe in a god, a father/mother figure who will MAKE ME SUFFER ON PURPOSE??? I'd much rather believe in karma and hazard and things happening not necessarily for a reason but just...because. Because you're in the wrong place at the wrong time kind of stuff.
Assuming there IS a judgement day...that once we die we do go off either to heaven or hell...I am sure that I will be directed towards the best place for me based on how I acted towards others, towards society, and not what religion I practice in this life...hey maybe I'll be reincarnated as a rock. ;-)