It is easy for a good person to be religious, but equally difficult for a religious person to be a good human being.
Richard Dawkins, in his book, criticized religion for indoctrinating children, barring them from being critical in choosing the religion of their choice. His definition of religion excludes Atheism, which shows his prejudices against religion or religious people. However, religion or the term must include atheism if it is to be understood from the etymological meaning of the term, which broadly can mean an obligation towards attaining meaningful goals. And this meaningful goal can differ from person to person or religion to religion and so forth.
Reason being, religion is a desire, and a devotion to such desire. A religious person strives to attain that desire via rituals and practices which they believed are appropriate and significant. While there are some fundamentals that distinguishes one religion from another, every religious being apparently has their personal ways of living out their faith. The reason being, we are selectively religious and there are two reasons for this:
1. We are conveniently religious
There are about 10,000 different religion around the Globe (according to Wikipedia). While people of different religion follow different or similar religion, it is evidently apparent that these religions have regional influence. Such influences or distinction is not only confined to different religion, but also within a religion that is practiced across the globe.
a. Denominational or Sectarian
It is explicitly evident that there is no religion that does not have denominational or sectarian distinction. This distinction can be due to 'allopatric' or 'sympatric' separation. But once again it is proven that region, society and community has its share of influence or impact on religion. Such distinction is explicitly or implicitly intelligible in how one conducts their religious act.
b. Habits, beliefs and rituals
Denominational or sectarian distinction consequentially leads to behavioral, beliefs and ritualistic differences. While some prefer a silent meditational form of worship, others may express their religiousness via extravagant ritualistic expression. Varying religious expression, in many ways, gives birth to varying religious symbols and underlying narratives and appropriating such narratives.
2. Truth Claim
Symbols, traditions and history produces varying understanding of religion, whether it be within or without the same religion. It is said that religion of other is a myth for another. The religious history can speak for itself. Every religion is in the race to prove its supremacy or Absolutness.
a. Varying Truth Claim
Every religion claims to hold the view of possessing the Absolute Truth, hence the Absolute and one and only religion that is authentic, organic and True. This is true even with a religious tradition (denominational or sectarian). And history is replete with the chaos and cruel impact caused by such claim.
b. Conflict
Differences do not simply exhaust in dividing religion from within or without, which would have been a much favorable outcome. But unfortunately, such division are accompanied by violent events. Religious conflict has grave consequences. It has been and still is the cause of many unfortunate people who have lost their lives to such conflict. Such conflict was and still persist in our society.
Religion, people of all faiths believed, is a means and ways to attain peace and harmony. Believers claim that their religion abhor violence and hatred against anyone. However, such claim seem to be simply a lip-service. Everyone acts and practices their religion in their convenient way. From dietary restriction to any other religious fundamentals, people find their way to interpret their religion to appropriate their behavior. Yet everyone claims to be religious. Then what should be the status or nature of our religiosity? I don't know! I have no answer. It is for you and me to figure that out. However, this I am certain, being a seeker it is in our nature to strive to realize the Truth or the plurality of Truth. And for that it is vital that we humans are, while intelligent, are molded and shaped by our environment and hence bear the regional impression which in return shapes our perspectives.
We are religious. In spite of being so, our approaches to our obligation can differ. It is fine to have our priority in fulfilling religious obligation. We may choose the way we want to be religious in our convenient way. However, it is not alright to enforce our conveniences upon others.
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