“The whole [of religion] is a riddle, an Enigma, an inexplicable mystery. Doubt, uncertainty, suspense of judgment appears the only result of our most accurate scrutiny, concerning this subject, David Hume” (Connelly, 1996 )This rings true in trying to define what religion is in that it is a point of disagreement due to its sheer diversity. It is one of those things that we know innately. “Religion originates in an attempt to represent and order beliefs, feelings, imaginings and actions that arise in response to direct experience of the sacred and the spiritual. As this attempt expands in its formulation and elaboration, it becomes a process that creates meaning for itself on a sustaining basis, in terms of both its originating experiences and its own continuing responses.” (Connelly, 1996 )
The internal experience of the spiritual nature causes not only a cognitive shift e.g. being saved among Protestants or indeed achieving nirvana in Buddhism. It causes an external shift in behavior. The question of existentialism is variant and nuanced. This internal experience takes time and is a journey by common consensus of all religions. (Brood,2006) There is a sense of consensus in the methods of the journey. Though the methods differ they involve a form of sacrifice on the part of the devotee. The fasting during Ramadan among Muslims or any other form of self-deprivation is part of the journey.
“The spiritual is a perception of the commonality of mindfulness in the world that shifts the boundaries between self and other, producing a sense of the union of purposes of self and other” (Connelly,1996) This causes an emotional rapture of ecstasy in the merger of self, ego, deity, and other. There seems to be agreement between Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism on this. Ironically it is non-existent in Judeo-Christian tradition. A boundary shift occurs within the self and a realization of infinite insignificance and significance to the greater deity. Simply put I am because I am I am no greater than the flower and no lesser than the sun.
Religion belief is universal in its acceptance and application.(Harvey, 2000) With this the secularist philosophical, ethical, intellectual, power structure that dominates the political sphere has given very little space to work with or to indeed acknowledge the benefits of religion. (Esptein,2010) The controversies are a point of focal attack. Be it catholic ecumenical homosexuality, Islamic violence or prayer in public space like schools. It has always elicited controversy. This is usually caused by lack of dialogue and misconceptions about different religious persuasion.
What is overlooked is the difference between what a religion says and what people do. There seems to be a prejudice that is common in the west especially. The whole is condemned due to the actions of the part. This is seen when violence by one group is condemns the whole e.g. black violence, Islamic terrorist. Religion causes public concern especially in the field of terrorism. The two are actually mutually exclusive and are born of politics not reality.
A rethinking of the concept must be made. Instead of seeing it as a point of divergence it should be viewed as a point of convergence. For don’t all religions say feed the poor, take care of the widows and love all as one loves one’s self.
References:
Brodd, Jefferey (2003). World Religions. Winona, MN: Saint Mary's Press.
Connelly Paul. 1996, " Definition of Religion and Related Terms,” Darc Web. 22/3/2012
Esptein, Greg M. (2010). Good Without God: What a Billion Nonreligious People Do Believe. New York: HarperCollins
Harvey, Graham (2000). Indigenous Religions: A Companion. (Ed: Graham Harvey). London and New York:
