There have no any definite idea about religion, exactly what it is? Someone argued religion as a code of life. Someone hold it as a system of belief. On the other hand, someone claim it as the sigh of the oppressed people. From the very beginning of history, we find religion as the only of human being to satisfy their live. There of many arguments in favor of origin of religion but if we think about the theories we find one thing behind it, to save them; to lead a life with happy mood. It is clear to us from history that early human being had inclined or believed in religion in order to live with happiness as well as to lead a secure life.
The word ‘religion’ is derived from the Latin word ‘religare’ which means to bind together, to reconnect. Re is a prefix meaning "return," and ligare means "to bind;" in other words, "return to bondage." Greek philosopher Cicero replay, religion means’ to read over again.’
Webster's Collegiate Dictionary traces the word back to an old Latin word ‘religio’ meaning "taboo, restraint." The term "religion" refers to both the personal practices related to communal faith and to group rituals and communication stemming from shared conviction. "Religion" is sometimes used interchangeably with "faith" or "belief system," but it is more socially defined than personal convictions, and it entails specific behaviors, respectively.
In the definition of religion we may say "Religion is any specific system of belief about deity, often involving rituals, a code of ethics, a philosophy of life, and a worldview." Here worldview means, a set of basic, foundational beliefs concerning deity, humanity and the rest of the universe.
In the language of catholic encyclopedia religion………means the voluntary subjection of oneself to God.
Emile Durkheim holds that religion is a unified system of beliefs and practices related to sacred things, that is to say, things say apart and forbidden- beliefs and practices which unite, into a one single community, all those who adhere to them.
After all, the best definition of religion I have seen is in The Encyclopedia of Philosophy. It lists traits of religions rather than declaring religion to be one thing or another, arguing that the more markers present in a belief system, the more religious like it is:
· Belief in supernatural being (God).
· A distinction between sacred and profane objects.
· Ritual acts focused on sacred objects.
· A moral code believed to be sanctioned by the God.
· Characteristically religious feelings (awe, sense of mystery, sense of guilt, adoration), which tend to be aroused in the presence of sacred objects and during the practice of ritual, and which are connected in idea with the God.
· Prayer and other forms of communication with God.
· A worldview or a general picture of the world as a whole and the place of the individual therein. This picture contains some specification of an over-all purpose or point of the world and an indication of how the individual fits into it.
· A more or less total organization of one’s life based on the world view.
· A social group bound together by the above.
Here we put a question, if these definitions are true than why we find more religion than one. George Bernard Shaw explain this “there is only one religion, though there are a hundred version of it”
From this discussion we find a common thing about religion, belief in super natural power, God, Allah. Every religion holds this belief as their primary concern. Though, we saw many idea about the belief of God e.g., monotheism, ditheism, polytheism, all of them their belief, God is true.
If we inter into the deeper understanding the religion we saw some supernatural events, God, Angels, Holy spirits, Prophet, life after death etc.
Because of highly religious concerning point, the nature of God in different religions are, in Christianity- the everlasting God, the Lord, and The creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not neither is weary. There is no searching of His understanding. (Isaiah, 40:28)
The nature of Allah expressing in Holy Quran is: “In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, and the Especially Merciful. [All] praise is [due] to Allah, Lord of the worlds - The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful” (1:1-3)
Nature of God expressing in Jews scripture is “I believe with perfect that the Creator, blessed by His name, is not a body, and that he is free from all the accidents of matter, and that He is not any form whatsoever.” (Moses Maimonides, thirteen principle, article 3)
Hindu religious scriptures describe the nature of God as “You are the original Lord, the original personality, you the supreme refuse of the universe, the knower and the knowable and supreme abode; by Your infinite form all the universe is pervaded” (Vagavad Gita, 11:38)
In present world religion has been treated as an obstacle in development, humanity etc. But documents show us religion is the only way to insure and preserve harmony and peace. Without religion morality is fake. No society can live longer without religion. Now let me shows the argument in favor of it.
One of the most elusive objectives of every human being is "Happiness." The Noble religious scriptures reveal the secret of attaining perfect happiness in this life and forever. We learn from the religious texts that happiness is an exclusive quality of the soul. Thus, a body that attains all the material successes it longs for - money, power, fame, etc. - often belongs to an unhappy person. Happiness depends totally on the degree of growth and development attained by the soul, the real person. The Holy Qur'an provides a detailed map towards perfect happiness for both body and soul, both in this world and in the eternal Hereafter. “Absolutely, Allah’s allies have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve. They are those who believe and lead a righteous life. For them, joy and happiness in this world, as well as in the Hereafter. This is God’s unchangeable law. Such is the greatest triumph.” (10:62-64)
Christian religious scripture narrates happiness: Happy are those “who reject the advice of evil people, who do not follow the example of sinners or join those who have no use for God. Instead, they find joy in obeying the Law of the Lord, and they study it day and night. They are like trees that grow beside a stream, that bear fruit at the right time, and whose leaves do not dry up. They succeed in everything they do. But evil people are not like this at all; they are like straw that the wind blows away. Sinners will be condemned by God and kept apart from God's own people. The righteous are guided and protected by the Lord, but the evil are on the way to their doom.” (Bible, The Psalms: 1)
War and terrorism are human failings. Every person hates it. It breaks the social stability. Social control, brotherhood, peace all fall in trouble. All the religious scriptures teach us how to lead a life with peace. The Holy Quran express: “Fight against those who fight against you in the way of God, but do not transgress, for God does not love transgressors. …………………………….. Thus, if someone has attacked you, attack him just as he attacked you, and fear God and remain conscious that God is with those who guard against violating the bounds set by Him.” (2:190-194)
Jesus Christ, founder of Christianity, he laid more emphasized on peace, brotherhood, social harmony. He advised his apostles: “Peace, I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
Religion is a philosophy. It’s follower or adherents are the core thing. And to lead a moral life with peace and happiness human beings live together in a society. They help each other in order to co-existence. All the religions encourage people to live together as well as offer a social code to live with harmony.
Islam, in its literal sense means 'Submission', submission to the will of God. Muslims believe that Islam began at the time when God sent the first man- Adam to earth. After successive prophets like Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus the last Prophet, Mohammed was sent as the seal of the Prophets. All the Islamic prophets were social reformer. Holy Quran declares: O mankind! We created you from a single (pair of a) male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, so that you may know each other. Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (one who is) the most righteous of you.... (49:13)
Every religion, it may be Christianity, Hinduism or Buddhism, survive because of its followers. Religion helps us to lead a life with social unity by providing us a common code as well as ethical standards.
Family is considered as a social unit. Every person is living in a family bondage. It helps us to grow and bringing up our life in a successful manner. But in today’s scenario, our family bondage is breaking up. Reason working behind it that is lack of proper religious knowledge. All the religion laid great emphasize on family relationship.
Islam is a complete way of life. It considers the family the corner stone of Islamic society. It bases the atmosphere in the family on sacrifice, love, loyalty, and obedience. When we say "family" we mean the traditional definition of it namely husband, wife and children. Grandparents are also part of the extended Muslim family. If we contemplate the Quran we find that it refers to parents’ children relationships in four main places. Before it asks children to be good and loyal to their parents it requires parents to be extremely careful in upbringing their children. In other words it asks parents to do their duty before asking for their rights. The Holy Quran declares "And surely We gave Luqman wisdom saying Give thanks unto Allah; for whosoever gives thanks, he gives thanks for his soul. And whoever disbelieves, Allah is All-Independent, Worthy of Praise. …………………………… But if they strive with you to make you ascribe to Me as partner that of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not, but deal with them nicely in the world and follow the path of him who repents to Me. Then unto Me will be your return, and I shall tell you of what you used to do." (Luqman-31)
Like Islam Christianity also laid emphasize on family. In Christian concept, as like Islam, the Family was instituted by God in the Garden of Eden. The Family is God's covenant arrangement where two people, male and female, are joined to one flesh, "For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh" (Gen. 2:24).
Christian scripture also said "And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. And God blessed them; and God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth" (Gen. 1:27-28).
Religion is universal. Religious affiliation in human mind is inherent themselves. Philosophers hold some criterion to considered religion as universal. First, it wouldn’t be limited within national boundary than it will hold preaching activities. In these regard we find only three religions as universal, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam.
At last main focus of every religion is human being. And religion is like a guideline, it teach us how to live? How to treat with others? What is our duty? How we fulfill it? What is our destiny? etc. As a rational being we have some common duties. Firstly, we testify God as one and unique. We must declare His sovereignty. He is holding the sovereign power. We must obey His order. In this regard the Holy Quran declares: Say: He is Allah, the One and unique; Allah, the Eternal, and Absolute; He begets not, nor is He begotten; and there is none like unto Him. (112:1-4) Holy Quran also declares: Most exalted is GOD, the true Sovereign. There is no other god beside Him; the Most Honorable Lord, possessor of all authority. [23:116]
God in Christianity is the supreme creator and ruler of the universe. The Christian religion, like Judaism and Islam, maintains that there is only one God, who is active in and concerned about the world. The true nature of God is beyond human experience and understanding. However, Christians believe God is infinite-without beginning or end, omnipotent (all-powerful), omniscient (all-knowing), benevolent (all-loving), eternal, unchanging, holy, perfect, and personal.
As a creature of the Creator, we are the servant of Allah. As a servant we are not free beyond Allah’s control. Allah is so kind. He offers some reward for us under condition, to obey Him. Real happiness and peace can be found in submitting to the commands of the Creator and the Sustainer of this world. God has said in the Quran: Truly, in remembering God do hearts find rest. (Quran, 13:28) Religion is everything but without believe in Allah, without obey His orders religious is nothing, Allah first, Allah last. Allah is everything.
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