Ethics and religion

The recent article. ‘Let ethics precede religion’ by Susantha Hewa was of interest. The para which drew my attention was: “There may be some who feel that religion and conditioning are inseparable and the former would lose all its meaning without the latter. However, this view begs the question of what constitutes religiosity. Of course, the programming of children will continue to be the best method if its objective is to make them devoted to the teachings of the respective religion as they grow up, regardless of the possibility of such action unwittingly driving some of them to fanaticism as history would bear witness. So long as we use conditioning as the primary method of teaching religion, it is unrealistic to expect a different outcome.”

It is true when a child is born, he or she takes or is forced to take to the religion of the parents, and indoctrinated at the young age of that religion he or she has been born into, and invariably, one does not change even in adulthood, and bear the name of the religion as an identification for official purposes and mentioned in the Birth Certificate.

There are four main religions in this country–Buddhism with breakaway branches with minor alterations and rites and rituals, Christianity. Hinduism, Islam [Mohammedism]. Though Buddhism is considered a religion; it is basically a philosophy. The difference between religion and philosophy is briefly explained by Ven. Master Chin Kung in his book ‘Buddhism, The Wisdom of Compassion and Awakening’ thus: “Buddhism is an education of the wisdom of Life and Universe; it is not a religion.”

The difference between Religion and Philosophy is that Religion in which God and His or Her disciples do not have a teacher-student relationship, but rather a parent-child relationship. In Buddhism, however, it is clearly stated that the Buddha is a teacher, and we are students.

In short, in religion there is no questioning but to obey and follow, but in Buddhism, a philosophy, one could argue and come to one’s own conclusion and abide by it. It should also be mentioned that the word ‘Buddha’ is not exclusive to Buddha Gauthama, it is a common title for any person who has attained the perfect, complete enlightenment. It is a title or a qualification, as much as a doctorate awarded by a university.

As stated earlier, from infancy spiritual beliefs are etched deeply in our minds by those we love and trust most, parents, teachers and our religious leaders. When reaching adulthood, the education one gets, and exposure to the vast advancement of science and technology, the young turn away from religion, mainly because fictitious beliefs, rites and rituals created by man to adore and praise the founder.

The core belief in all religions and in the philosophy of Buddha, is the existence of Hell and Heaven. This, I believe, is to frighten people into believe that those who do evil, are sent to Hell, and those who do meritorious acts go to Heaven to live a contented life or a lazy, uneventful, cowardly life. There is no place called HELL or HEAVEN. They are not locations, but refer to the inner realm of consciousness. That is the esoteric meaning of these two words.

What has religion done to the world and humanity? Here is what Sam Harris in his book ‘Letter to the Christian Nation’ says – ‘Competing religious doctrines have shattered our world into separate moral communities, and these divisions have become a continual source of human conflicts’. Isn’t that true seeing the carnage carried out by fanatics who believe, dying for the religion takes them to heaven, pleasing God the Creator.”

Being interested in this subject, I have noted down some interesting writings from books, magazines and newspapers and here they are –

‘Revolt in the Temple’ – ‘Subordinate position, as has happened to the magical element in the past, God, equally with gods, angels, demons, spirits and other small spiritual fry, is a human product, arising inevitably from certain kind of ignorance and a certain degree of helplessness with regard to man’s external environment. With the substitution of knowledge for ignorance in this field, and the growth of control both actually achieved and realised by thought as possible ….

Bertrand Russel had this to say about religion: ‘Religion is something left over from the infancy of our intelligence, it will fade away as we adopt reason and science as our guidelines’.

Erskine May, the foremost authority on democracy, has said: ‘From a secular point of view, religion is a hindrance to democracy, as it enforces a set of legal and social principles. Separation of religions and the state is required to protect freedom and ensure equality. From a legal point of view, democracy can never enjoy general acceptance in a religious society. Anything outside of rigid interpretation text is rejected and God rather than the people is sovereign.’

A writer to the press, recently, has written in a letter titled, ‘Religion to fight pandemic; he says ‘At times of personal and collective tragedy, people find solace in religion, some seek divine blessings, others ponder in the impermanence of life, many others do both, invocation of religion could be just symbolic for more earthly folk, but it could also be cathartic to some others. Now a God is defying a pandemic that is redefining the relationship between religion and masses and the disease itself, while intensive social distancing measures and distancing worshippers from temples, churches and mosques. And before such restrictions came into effect, religion seemed to have done much to the spread if the virus’

In conclusion, materialism and spiritualism should go hand in hand. Enjoying to the full the material benefits what nature has endowed us with and spiritually conditions oneself to live a righteous life.

This is my simple religion. No need for religious institutions. No need for complicated philosophies; my mind and my heart is the sacred place, and my philosophy is simple kindness towards all living beings. At the end when time comes, sing – Que Sera Sera – Whatever will be will be.

G. A. D. SIRIMAL

Boralesgamuwa