The expectation that the religious would at least, hold to certain
beliefs that are morally upright, intelligent and informed, about the
basis and foundation of his/her faith can be most times mocked by
huge disappointment. As it is out rightly possible for a man to visibly
identify with the church or mosque community and yet, not fully accept
it teachings.It is only the truth that you know and practice that can set you free. Many actually know and belief. But not everyone can afford the discipline that it takes to live according to what they claim to belief.
These days, to boisterously render assistance, or out of little or no thorough examination, vouch for a person, simply because he/she claims to practice the same religion with you, is to risk the chance of getting one’s hands burnt to the elbow. It is much safer to look into a person’s character deeply rather than approve of them because they claim to be a Muslim or Christian. It’s a waste of time. A very big one!
As a nation, we’ve been gullible in this area. It’s expected that by now, we must have learnt our lessons. It amazing to see how good for nothing politicians go to religious places for endorsement during electioneering. All they need do is to claim to be God sent, and then the votes flows in their direction. Only for the populace to later realize that the so called “God sent” doesn’t in anyway know the way to the promise land. He who doesn’t know the way, how can he lead it?
Apparently, one of the most uncertain things in the world is the funeral or extinction of religion. It’s also important that we note that religion doesn’t have it in its capacity to build or redeem a nation. Government should be of laws, rather than of men or religion. That we expect too much from our being religious is why we get deceived and frustrated. Then with the victim mentality, we cry and say religion is a curse.
I checked some bible versions, and I absolutely didn’t see the word religion after trying hard to search it out. So it probably doesn’t have much to do with spirituality. As a matter of fact, in no way is religion and spirituality the same. To equate them, any attempt to hazard the risk of associating them with each other is a huge contradiction.
You necessarily might not have chosen your religion yourself; you most likely, adopted that of your parents automatically. But when it comes to spirituality, personal conviction and choice is required. Spirituality is neither a state nor place. It’s more of a process. Religion has to do with carrying out the set of rules and practices of a particular faith.
It’s also good to note that religion can be manipulated upon to achieve personal or even political purposes including violence. This is usually the case with those who gathered their beliefs and convictions at second hand from authorities who also got theirs at second hand, without any form of thorough examination. It’s sincerely quite amazing how religious followers take everything their leaders say hook, line, and sinker.
That’s not right. There’s this group of Christians I so much admire. They are the Berea Christians. This guys do not just receive the word with all eagerness, they daily, personally, search out the scriptures, whether the things the preachers said were actually so.
The basis of any true religion is love and not essentially a big place of worship. Like a writer rightly said “…there is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness”
In conclusion, I must emphasize that religion isn’t a curse. It might have its good and bad sides as a result of abuse. Yet, to a reasonable extent, religion has succeeded in providing purpose in life to people. Many have been able to strategically overcome despair and hopelessness. I as a person can conclusively say that I’ve been able to connect to who I am through my early exposure to the doctrine of Christianity.
This article was first published on www.omojuwa.com
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