We are perceived to be mysterious and from another planet in the eyes of Western people. We often reciprocate in the same way - our religion, our culture, and our inter personal relationships are so different from theirs. My twenty years of experience convinces me that it is a myth. We Bengalis are in no way different from other people in this country of many nationalities. In the following paragraphs I will attempt to analyze the principles, customs, and philosophy of life of the Bengalis and compare them with those of other races.
Religion has a large influence on one's life.
Even the most atheistic people are affected by religion in some way. The rituals, actions, and words of people of different religion that one is surrounded with in childhood mold the life of the child as he grows. With Hinduism have flourished Buddhism, Jainism, and Shikhism. Among the Muslims are the Sunnis and Shias. Within Christianity, there are division among Catholics and various Protestant denominations.