IS RELIGION POISON?

Lately things have changed on social media; people are now talking about religion and communal tension.

I have  a big question…..What is religion ,for which so many people are willing to kill each other, even kill innocent children. What is this religion? People who were friends, neighbors and countrymen are now thirsty for each other’s blood. I am not a communist, I don’t call religion poison. But I have started doubting the whole idea of religion now.

My grandfather’s grand mother was a Muslim and her marriage was arranged. Since her  father and her husband’s father fought together in “Gadar” to this day we have some of her belongings with us..There was no religion at the time of Gadar - Muslims and Hindu’s  fought together. Then the Britishers  came up with the idea of “Divide and Rule”.And, at the time of our independence because of the greed and ego of a few old men the whole country had to suffer.

I fail to understand how a man who lived more than 5000 years ago is able to make us kill someone we have known all our life, how some words which were written thousands of years ago  are motivating people to kill children.Are we so powerless, so dimwitted that we can kill or justify killing of people on the basis of what I believe about my god.

Does anyone feel that there are different god in heaven,a separated god for Hindus, a god for Muslims, a god for Christians. When we die, will we stand in disparate lines? Muslims this way, Hindus that way, I don’t think anybody is stupid enough  to believe that so it's insane that anyone wants to kill others over that foolish contention.

There is a story about Buddha - when he got enlightenment he refused to share it with anyone, immediately after his awakening, the Buddha debated whether or not he should teach the Dharma to others. He was concerned that humans were so overpowered by ignorance, greed and hatred that they could never recognize the path, which is subtle, deep and hard to grasp. However, in the story, Brahmā Sahampati convinced him, arguing that at least some will understand it. Buddha relented, and agreed to teach. I understand now why he refused to share.

No religion tells us to kill innocent people - no religion teaches us to hate each other. Religion is made poisonous by mankind.

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