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“WE HAVE ENOUGH RELIGION, TO MAKE US HATE;
BUT NOT ENOUGH TO MAKE US LOVE ANOTHER.�

How true it is!  No Religion preaches hatred and violence, but yet, innocent people are killed and even wars are waged, all in the name of Religion.  What a great pity!!  But why?  It is because, I strongly believe, that we do not know, the Real and True meaning of the word Religion.

The Dictionaries define Religion as “a belief in, acceptance of the existence of a Super-human, Unseen Controlling Power, with emotions and morality connected with it; a belief in the existence of a Super-natural Power, that Governs this Universe; etc.,�

If this is the true meaning of the word Religion, I cannot understand, why there are so many Religions in this world.  I am sure, all Faiths so accept the existence of an Unseen Super-human Super-natural Power � The GOD � that Governs this Universe.  The very fact, that there are umpteen Religions, suggests, that this Definition is either Wrong or Religion has nothing to do with that “Super-human Power � the so-called GOD � On the face of it, to assume that there are as many GODS as there are Religions in this world, to Govern this Single Universe, is not only irrational but also absurd and ridiculous.  In fact I strongly feel, if only that “Three-lettered word –GOD-� is delinked from the word Religion, several problems facing the world of today and many ills of the present-day society, will automatically be solved, and we will have only one Religion � Religion of Love and Compassion.

As I conceive it, Religion is only a way of Life and Living.  It is a Code of Moral and Ethical Conduct, which, every man, woman and child has to follow in their day to day life.  It has nothing to do with any GOD or GODS.

Man has reached the highest rung of the Evolutionary Ladder.  No man is an Island.  He cannot live in Isolation.  He is a Social animal and a member of the Great and Large Human Family.  In his daily Life, he influences the Lives of others and others influence his life.  There is continuous Interaction between all.  Hence, he has a great Moral Responsibility and Duty, to see that there is Decorum, Peace and Harmony amongst all the Living Beings, notably the Humans.  This Duty, he can perform only if he behaves and conducts himself, in such a manner that he does not erode into or encroach upon the Freedom of others and does not, in any way endanger the Safety and Welfare of others.  In short, he has to lead a Righteous Life.  Religion is only following a Self-imposed Code of Moral and Ethical Conduct, to maintain Amity and Cordial relationship amongst all the Human Beings, irrespective of their Race, Creed, Faith, Community, Caste etc., Whether one is a Theist, an Atheist or an Agnostic; whether one believes in any GOD or GODS or NO GOD, he or she has to follow this Code of Conduct, This is what I call, a True Religious Life.

To lead such a Life, there are certain basic Tenets.  We should lead a Life of Virtues and Values.  We should cultivate a MIND that is Noble and Magnanimous; a Heart that is Kind and Compassionate; a Face that Smiles always and Cheers others; a Tongue that speaks Sweet and Pleasant; Ears that hear no Slander; Hands that serve the Needy with no Desires, and above all, Eyes that behold GOD in every Living Being.  There are Values par excellence.  Along with these Virtues, we should have some Ideals and Principles, which we should put into practice, in our daily Life.  WE should be Honest and Humble; Speak Truth always; Hate none, Hurt none, Harm none; Love all as they are and not as we wish them to be; We should be Good and Do Good and Serve all in need, without discrimination.  More than all these, we should Share whatever we have, however small it may be with those, who do not have the same.

Well, in my opinion, Cultivating these Virtues and Practising these Principles in our Daily Life is RELIGION.  This RELIGION has no Name.  It belongs to ALL.  It is RELIGION OF LOVE AND COMPASSION.

“FAITH IN GOD IS ONLY THE PERSONAL CHOICE OF AN INDIVIDUAL,
FAITH IN RELIGION IS A MORAL AND SOCIAL OBLIGATION OF ALL.�