From: rps@cbnewsh.cb.att.com (raj.sharma)
Subject: Re: God and Religions [was: Some comments on religions...]
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1992 18:14:34 GMT


S.Pandian writes:

> Since we all know what religions are, I don't have to
> start with what are they. The question really is not a good
> definition of religion but a good understanding of it and
> the need for it. 


	But let us also not confuse between God and Religions.

	Water is required by every living person; but the way
	of getting it differ. One may turn on the tap, get it
	from the refrigerator, fasten a bucket on a rope and
	get it from the well.

	God is like water. Religions are how one goes about
	getting it. God is the need; religions are secondary.

	After getting water, one does not let the tap run.

	This distinction, if understood first, will keep away
	the confusion.


> ... If each person chooses by his own free will a religion that
> suits him and minds his  own business, this world would not have
> as many problems and it is facing now.


	Two points:

		- Agreed that "if each one attended to his business
                  of drinking the water, there will be less problems."

		- Does one knows of a word without problems?


> ... if he is waking them from a sound sleep and
> explains them his religious principles, thinking that he is
> doing them a good service.


	Once a woman becomes a mother, her breasts are automatically
	filled with milk. Can one stop this natural fact?
	Can a mother stop it?

	And the mother feeds the baby without thinking that she
	is doing the baby a "good service."


> There is a is a Tamil saying that
>    " aasai aRumin aasai aRumin
>      eesanOdaayinum aasai aRumin ."
>   [ Cut your desires, cut your desires
>     Even if you have desires on God ( like God-realization ) ]

	
	My Tamil friends translated this as:

	"Cool your desires, cool your desires,
	 Even if God has not told you, cool your desires."


>     Even if you have desires on God ( like God-realization ) ]


	Even if your desires are for "freedom."

	[Would you agree?]


> Religious fanaticism stems from this excessive attachment on
> God and for a recent reference, I refer to the `kar seva' in
> progress in Ayodhya for the construction started for the Ram
> temple there.


	Not confusing between God and religion would be a help here.
	"Kar Sevaks" may be religious; but, are they after God [first]?
				           [or only after God's temple?]

	Does God need a temple?
	
	Isn't the whole world God's temple?


>  " Let the eyes see what it wants to see.
>    Let the ears hear what it wants to hear.
>    Let the nose smell what it wants to smell.
>    Let the mouth taste what it wants to taste.
>    Let your mind flow freely."


	Eyes see,
	Ears hear,
	Nose smells,
	Mouth tastes,
	Mind moves freely.

	Can they do otherwise?

	Who am I [?] to "let them do" what they do [anyway].


> Some readers of this posting may be religious.
> Some may not be religious.
> It doesn't matter.


	Truly!
	
	Why? Because things are the way they are!


> ... If we have an open mind,


	Are we not the mind? the world?

	Can "I" keep "I" open?


---raj
Newsgroups: soc.culture.indian