The Value of Religion in the 21st Century, Essay Example

Hinduism in 21^st Century: Hinduism is the oldest living religion in the world. It is composed of a rich collection of philosophical and spiritual traditions that had been followed throughout Asia for over five thousand years. The core beliefs of tolerance and pluralism are the very essence of Hinduism.  Hinduism accepts the divinity in all beings, and views the universe as a family or, in Sanskrit, Vasudhaiva kutumbakam. Especially interesting is the fact, that Hinduism considers all beings from the smallest organism to man are the direct expression of God. Mankind, the superior of all species is vested the responsibility not only to tolerate but create and honor the unity and equality of all beings, thus, professing universal kinship. The concept of pluralism is also to be noted in Hinduism, which emphasizes on respect for belief and acceptance of other ideologies and religion (Hindu American Foundation para1).

Thus, Hinduism is not a religion of selfishness; it does not pressure homogeneous religious preference over others and had never sanctioned proselytization. Further, over their vast history, we have observed that Hindus have never invaded another land in the name of religion. They have never procrastinated   religious sentiments and thus, for centuries in Southeast Asia, it has been this Hindu brand of absolute pluralism, which has provided the ideal environment for peaceful coexistence and prosperity. It has influenced the co-existence of at least 8 major religions, including Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, Sikhism, Jainism and Zoroastrianism among others.

According to Rishi (Saint) Aurobindo, “India is the meeting place of the religions and among these Hinduism alone is by itself a vast and complex thing, not so much a religion as a great diversified and yet subtly unified mass of spiritual thought, realization and aspiration” (Narayanan). Hinduism is a way of life and Hindus have profound allegiance to their religion.

The most strategic point of Hinduism- is perhaps its most vivid, extensive and enriched philosophical architecture. It encompasses the combined experience of thought, religious, and moral values that are so unique and unlike Judeo-Christian and classical traditions of ‘western’ culture. Hindu traditions are in close proximity with cultures and languages that pre-date the West.  Firstly to evolve a current picture of Hinduism, we have to link the traits of the religion to the ancient Hindu civilization. Tilak, Bipan Chandra Pal, Aurobindo and Savarkar defined the Hindu achievement as nurtured and created by the Hindus and reflective of the unique historical experiences and Hindu sensibilities. Gokhale, Ranade, Gandhi, Tagore thought that the Indian civilization was spiritual in nature, rather than being narrowly religious in its nature. It was open to the influences of others, synthetic rather than Hindu in its content, decentralized and rural in its orientation, and committed to the values of tolerance, self-restraint, and universality (Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies).

In Hindu mythology, there is emphatic guidance of Vedas (holy book) , as Vivekananda said:  “The Vedas teach that the soul is divine, only held in the bondage of matter; perfection will be reached when this bond will burst, and the word they use for it is, therefore, Mukti – freedom, freedom from the bonds of imperfection, freedom from death and misery.”

Hinduism had changed over the years. Superstition, religious dogmas and narrow mindedness has almost tarnished the pristine image of the religion. As all regions, Hinduism had been interpreted in its long journey over centuries. Societies, Brahmins, Kings and culture had eroded its roots to create a neo-classical, modern yet submissive, deteriorated, mass of human beliefs. Hinduism in its true form is rare and almost extinct in its behavioral form. The spirituality, enigma and its guiding principles has lost its luster in the hands of political sects and interests. Thus, 21^st Century is now a mere formality that reside more in temples than in human heart. It is more of an accordance rather than feeling. The pristine philosophy is camouflaged in political power and false accusations.

The real façade of Hinduism had changed drastically, and the change is worrying. People are using religion as their weapon to materialize their own interests. Let us take the famous Babri Masjid issue, where Hindus and Muslims fought and murdered hundreds to establish the claim of a temple or a Masjid existence in the area in 1992.

Presently, the onus to defend Hinduism is taken by political parties like Shiv Sena, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh; and these parties plays a very dangerous role to defame the value of Hinduism in 21^st Century. The members of the political party are not priests – but they dress like one, draped in red turbans, and red Tilak. They wave flags, burn cinema halls, plunder; destruct in the name of Hinduism It portrays a sorry state of the sanctity of the oldest religion of the world. Instead of adopting the dynamism of the religion, they have interpreted the guidelines and rituals according to their convenience. It seems they are in the process to prove Hinduism as barbaric and a religion for destruction (Dunya)

Christianity in the 21^st Century

Christianity is ranked as the largest religion in the world today with approximately 2 billion adherents. Christianity is appropriately defined as a monotheistic religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ and various scholars who wrote the Christian bible. Christianity is at least three things: (1) A set of beliefs (2) A way of life (3) A community of people.

Various Christian groups place different impetus on these three aspects, only to include all three in different variations in their ideology. These three aspects are based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, who is also known as the Christ. (“Christ” was originally a title. It is the Greek form of the Hebrew “Messiah”, meaning “anointed”.)

Christianity believes in one God, who has created this universe. It is essentially known as “ethical monotheism”. This term implies that there in the universality of one God, and there are specific guidelines and rules to follow the path of God.

Christianity has evolved in stages and had been severed to adjust to the changing trends. It is true ‘that nothing is constant except change’ – similarly the essence of Christianity has also changed. “We can no longer be religious in the same way as our ancestors. The world has been irrevocably transformed and so have our patterns of thought and experience” (Armstrong), and had tried to come to terms with the world of the 21st Century. However, mainstream Christianity is overloaded with rigid directions and guidance, and they are not very categorical to sway to the needs of the time. Rigidity in the face of change has resulted in the loss of what is central and essential in Christianity.  According to my observations, Christian church when confronted with the implications and fact of 21st Century, were reprimanded with loss of nerve and did not how to react. Uncertainty and religious stigmatism had forced them to block Christianity into a theological fortress, and unsuccessfully tried to defend a 19th Century world view.  Thus, Christianity had failed to interpret the expression of the modern theology. After shutting their doors and windows and protecting themselves from the provocation of the new generation- Christianity lost its luster and impetus.  The command and authority that is central to any religion; the enigma and charisma to speak the words of God – all seem to evaporate in the rigidity and static vibes of the religion. Christianity is the birth of our beliefs and sentiments so it can never forsake our existence- but the religious instruments and machinery controlling it, have become farce and a subject of mere relinquishment.

Then let us interpret modern Christianity? As Armstrong says, “We can no longer be religious in the same way as our ancestors. The world has been irrevocably transformed and so have our patterns of thought and experience” (Armstrong). According to Hanegraaff, the faith teachers and the followers who are distracted, discouraged and disillusioned, “My heart aches for the parent who put his dead baby on ice and, in the midst of tears and desperation, drove fifty miles to a counterfeit revival center because he trusted the testimonies of faith preachers who were touting resurrections from the dead. I equally grieve the millions who have left faith churches in the midst of failed faith formulas. Some conclude that God must not love them; others question the integrity of the whole Christian enterprise.” So 21^st century Christianity presents a rather pathetic picture as hypothetical and false teachers and preachers have been accepted and applauded within the Christian community—without any question or ordinance.

These preachers had transformed the meaning of God – when they preach that God had promised to bless all humans unequivocally with prosperity, that he will shower health and wealth on demand and that he will grant all our desires and wishes; or his role is to play Santa during Christmas. “Time and time again–in the gospels and the epistles–we’re told that we’re to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Him even if it means suffering, persecution and discomfort” (Hanegraaff ).

We know that God had never promised luxury or heaven-on-earth. Neither had he promised a rich, comfortable life. All he wants to do – is transform us and enlighten us in this world. So the wealth, health and prosperity gospel divert us from the actual sanctity of God.  Thus Christianity is not about adding people in the list of Christians; neither is it a weapon to deepen the roots of the supremacy of the religion in the global scenario. Christianity should be a religion of and for the people- flexible and comforting to the human race. So as one advocates and prays to God- he does not feel the superannuated, commercial instincts in the intentions of the church or preachers. In cases of the rigid stances of gay and lesbian marriages, the role of Christianity is highly debatable. Christianity has now become more fear related and thus, repels people to believe and trust their institutional dictums.

However, in the present context, Christianity should emphasize more on spirituality, rather than being wrapped in artifice and concepts prevalent in older times. Christian faith that conforms to the needs of humanity, one that appeals to the masses and one that is close to the heart of thousands of followers.

Reference

Hindu American Foundation, nd, last retrieved on 28 April, 2010 from http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/resources/hinduism_101/hinduism_basics

Narayanan, V. “Water, Wood, and Wisdom: Ecological Perspectives from the Hindu Traditions”, Journal of American Academy of Arts and Science, 2001, Last Retrieved on 28 April, 2010 from http://www.amacad.org/publications/fall2001/narayanan.aspx

Hindu Wisdom Info, “A Tribute to Hinduism” nd, last retrieved on 28 April, 2010 from http://www.hinduwisdom.info/quotes21_40.htm

Dunya, I. “Hair-Trigger Hysteria”, Last Retrieved on 28 April, 2010 from http://ashwathtree.centreright.in/?tag=rashtriya-swayamsevak-sanghligion

Brown, D. “Christianity in the 21^st Century”, Crossroad Publishing, 2000, last retrieved on 28 April, 2010 from http://homepages.which.net/~radical.faith/reviews/brown.htm

Hanegraaff, H. “Christianity in Crisis- 21^st Century”, 2009 on 28 April, 2010 from http://takingthoughtscaptive.wordpress.com/2009/04/12/book-review-christianity-in-crisis-21st-century-by-hank-hanegraaff