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Q5. Is Fear The Basis Of All Religions?

spnadmin

1947-2014 (Archived)
SPNer
Jun 17, 2004
14,500
19,219
In ancient times, it is true that the fear of the unknown, the
anger of gods and goddesses and the concept of divine punishment
compelled people to believe in some sort of religion. They began
to worship the forces of nature. In the Middle Ages, the
Christian Church set up the Inquisition to punish the wrongs
against the church. As man's knowledge increased, this fear was
replaced by a conviction that behind the universe was a Creator,
who was just and merciful and not revengeful or mischievous.
Fear is not always a bad thing. Fear of police and of
imprisionment makes many people abide by the law. The fear of
veneral diseases keeps many persons away from sexual over-
indulgence. The fear of sickness has turned men's minds to
research and the discovery of remedies for many chronic diseases
and violent epidemics.

According to the new science of psychiatry, fear of any kind,
particularly in the case of children, undermines their
personalities. Instead of telling people about penalties for
moral wrong doing they should appeal to their higher sense and
considerations of the social good. It is in the interest of
religion itself to discourage such fear and to strenghten the
individual's moral values and social conscience. The moral code
ought to be a part of daily life and any breach should be
regarded as an injury to society, and against the best interests
of the community.

Sikhism does not encourage fear. It does not believe in a
system of punishment or the inducement of rewards. In place of
fear, it advocates personal courage. It believes optimistically
in the ultimate victory of the moral order.

Sikhism preaches that we should neither cause fright to anyone
or be afraid of anyone. This healthy spirit has been responsible
for the Sikh's willingness to offer his life for his faith. True
heroism, requires a lack of fear and a lack of hatred. The Sikh
believes in the cause he serves, without any idea of reward or
punishment.

In Sikhism, the awe of God turns into love. Just as a faithful
wife is careful and cautious not to cause any annoyance to her
husband but rather minister to his comforts. In the same way,
the true devotee is prepared to offer his all to please God and
to serve His Creation.
 

spnadmin

1947-2014 (Archived)
SPNer
Jun 17, 2004
14,500
19,219
Jewish Orthodoxy: Coping With Secularism

In ancient times, it is true that the fear of the unknown, the
anger of gods and goddesses and the concept of divine punishment
compelled people to believe in some sort of religion. They began
to worship the forces of nature. In the Middle Ages, the
Christian Church set up the Inquisition to punish the wrongs
against the church. As man's knowledge increased, this fear was
replaced by a conviction that behind the universe was a Creator,
who was just and merciful and not revengeful or mischievous.
Fear is not always a bad thing. Fear of police and of
imprisionment makes many people abide by the law. The fear of
veneral diseases keeps many persons away from sexual over-
indulgence. The fear of sickness has turned men's minds to
research and the discovery of remedies for many chronic diseases
and violent epidemics.

According to the new science of psychiatry, fear of any kind,
particularly in the case of children, undermines their
personalities. Instead of telling people about penalties for
moral wrong doing they should appeal to their higher sense and
considerations of the social good. It is in the interest of
religion itself to discourage such fear and to strenghten the
individual's moral values and social conscience. The moral code
ought to be a part of daily life and any breach should be
regarded as an injury to society, and against the best interests
of the community.

Sikhism does not encourage fear. It does not believe in a
system of punishment or the inducement of rewards. In place of
fear, it advocates personal courage. It believes optimistically
in the ultimate victory of the moral order.

Sikhism preaches that we should neither cause fright to anyone
or be afraid of anyone. This healthy spirit has been responsible
for the Sikh's willingness to offer his life for his faith. True
heroism, requires a lack of fear and a lack of hatred. The Sikh
believes in the cause he serves, without any idea of reward or
punishment.

In Sikhism, the awe of God turns into love. Just as a faithful
wife is careful and cautious not to cause any annoyance to her
husband but rather minister to his comforts. In the same way,
the true devotee is prepared to offer his all to please God and
to serve His Creation.
 

Tejwant Singh

Mentor
Writer
SPNer
Jun 30, 2004
5,028
7,188
Henderson, NV.
Are We God Fearing or God Loving??

First printed at Sikhe.com on Oct.20, 2001

Perspectives

Are We God Fearing or God Loving??
Tejwant Singh (Malik) Sat Oct 20

Let's try to find the answer to the question.

When human beings came into existence, they were very fearful of their surroundings because they did not understand them. This was true among all peoples from the Incas in the Andes to the Adhivasis in the deep jungles of India. Gradually, when people understood the natural phenomena of The Akalpurkh, they became less fearful. However, some among them saw the opportunity to become the 'spiritual leaders' of the tribes by becoming "the only ones with 'the Truth' in that little circle". These people engaged in fear tactics to keep the tribes under their influence. They created demons, hell and fireballs in the worlds beyond, where they said those who did not obey them or follow their teachings would perish to.

The 'leaders' evolved and their followers multiplied in numbers, hence the cults became religions. But the fear tactics remained the same in all religions until the birth of Guru Nanak in the 15th century.

"Satguru Nanak parghteiyah, mitti dhund jug chanan hoa".

Here Bhai Gurdas ji is not giving us the weather report of the day nor is he describing the day Guru Nanak was born. He is emphasizing Guru's Teachings that lifted the veil of darkness created by fear. Thus, fear created darkness began to evaporate and bright rays of love began to outshine.

Fear is darkness; Love is light. Fear breeds repression and submission; Love breeds freedom. Fear makes us cringe; Love makes us open our arms. Fear breeds rebellion; Love creates harmony. Fear is shackles; Love is 5K's.

This cultivation of Love has continued ever since and only due to our Love towards Waheguru, Sikhe has flourished and has become the 5th largest religion with 25 million Sikhs worldwide in a mere 532 years.

If someone says to you "We should be fearful of God", please recite them the verse of my 10th Guru:

"Jin prem kioh, tinh hee Prabh payeioh" - Only Love can create the connection to Waheguru.
 
Last edited:
Jun 1, 2004
3,007
83
45
Brilliant Article... thanx for sharing...:)

Sir, you can introduce yourself under off-topics section and let us know more about your education and background... people would surely benefit from inputs from people like yourself, Amarpal Ji and others....

Welcome to your own network...:)

Regards
 

singh99

SPNer
Jun 21, 2004
9
1
55
quest said:
According to the new science of psychiatry, fear of any kind,
particularly in the case of children, undermines their
personalities. Instead of telling people about penalties for
moral wrong doing they should appeal to their higher sense and
considerations of the social good. It is in the interest of
religion itself to discourage such fear and to strenghten the
individual's moral values and social conscience. The moral code
ought to be a part of daily life and any breach should be
regarded as an injury to society, and against the best interests
of the community.

Sikhism does not encourage fear. It does not believe in a
system of punishment or the inducement of rewards. In place of
fear, it advocates personal courage. It believes optimistically
in the ultimate victory of the moral order.

Sikhism preaches that we should neither cause fright to anyone
or be afraid of anyone. This healthy spirit has been responsible
for the Sikh's willingness to offer his life for his faith. True
heroism, requires a lack of fear and a lack of hatred. The Sikh
believes in the cause he serves, without any idea of reward or
punishment.

In Sikhism, the awe of God turns into love. Just as a faithful
wife is careful and cautious not to cause any annoyance to her
husband but rather minister to his comforts. In the same way,
the true devotee is prepared to offer his all to please God and
to serve His Creation.

Could not agree with you more Bhaji. The reward and punishment system which form the basis of some religions have always been detrimental to the development of the spirituality of man. Sikhism places emphasis on developing the morality that is inherent in man. In Fact MA MacAuliffe whose his work on Sikhism about 100 years ago states that Sikhism has a moral order that is second to none amongst religions. The Gurus taught that rather than doing what is right because you fear that you will suffer for it, you should do what is right because your 'inner voice' is telling you that it is the right thing to do. The personality of those who base their lives around the fear and punishment concept is forever in fear that even the minutest thing that he may have done will lead to some sort of punishment in the hereafter. Unlike someone who has based his lifestyle by developing a higher sense of morality as advocated by the Gurus the disciple of fear and punishment will constantly enquire from others whether doing this is right or wrong and wastes his time in looking to others who are also in doubt rather than developing his sense of morality. He who has developed his morality will know instinctively whether doing this or that is in accord with his sense of morality. This leaves him free from the rancour that affects the mind of the follower of the fear and punishment religions.

GurFateh
 

Eclectic

SPNer
Nov 11, 2004
108
1
37
quest said:
In Sikhism, the awe of God turns into love. Just as a faithful
wife is careful and cautious not to cause any annoyance to her
husband but rather minister to his comforts. In the same way,
the true devotee is prepared to offer his all to please God and
to serve His Creation.

I think that people always had some sort of spirituality (on a general scale). However, I think some took advatnage of this and used it to create fear into the people by setting up doctrines of fear.
 

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