Most of the religious teachings or beliefs have the concept of fasting. I don't understand this temporary restriction or habit of doing something on some specific days.
Why do we all do this? Why did our ancestors advise us to do so?
Why do our religions expect us to do to be religious? If religion is something extravagant, why can not it accept how we are?
Or, is it some sort of false belief that our religious leaders or ancestors forced on us?
Or, is it because we all think we get what we need from God if we are religious?
When I reached this point, I think we expect something from God by being religious rather than understanding the true meaning of love.
2 comments:
The concept of fasting has been interpreted in several ways, I suppose.
One, which makes sense to me, is, may be it is not such a bad idea to give your digestive system some rest for a day during the week.
I have no facts to support this statement - but apparently, only water intake for a day, helps cleanse our system.
But fasting for Dussherra, Navratri, etc. is beyond my understanding too. However, if it gives someone any sort of pleasure in doing so, by all means, do it.
Because, it's not about eating, or not eating, at the end of the day. Isn’t it? It’s about what makes you happy, and what feels right to you.
Do that.
But to impose your own beliefs and thoughts onto others, to me, makes no sense.
As far as forcing beliefs and rituals are concerned, it seems wrong on both parts. Incorrect on the part of one who forces, and incorrect on the part of one, who succumbs to such force. This is not natural.
Nature doesn’t force, it just flows.
And lets things be, as they are! And this to me, is love.
I should say i agree with you awanthika... If we look at our religious books no matter which one you choose, the underlying message preaches you to live your life in the most healthy and superior manner. These books as I see it are set of guidelines put in by wise folks who wanted their followers to live by. They used folklores and real life incidents to match these guidelines to set importance (by examples) of sticking to them and following them which in turn encouraged others to do the same. The existence or extinction of these so called religious books depended on how many followers they managed to adhere to … these were passed on to generations and generations till date . Many of these books were lost as the civilizations got destroyed (eg : Egyptian, Roman etc ) but the technology brought forward by these civilization still exists!!
So in short by commonsense these wise people defined GOD as state of Good and Healthy living, this just does not include keeping your self healthy but also caring about your society and working towards building a healthy society as you go on with your day to day life and live by example. This is the underlying goal of following these books or the bigger term religion….
So the point is ---à there are few things you have to do to keep yourself healthy no matter if you like it or don’t like it , this way you will help yourself which in turn is Godly and this is the sole religion of every human.
Now the example here for “Fasting”…if you fast once in a while … you give a break to Digestive system to revitalize itself which in turn will give you good health and happiness…Conditions apply!.donot over do it ;-). And when you are healthy and good you thank GOD for the same but if you can understand this, you are helping yourself and when people see you been good and healthy by doing this, they will follow you in following the same set of rule which will in turn will help them live healthy too and so on … and eventually this becomes religious rule and hence religion. So if you fast dude , and if you are a blind believer of religion, GOD has helped and he will give you good health … and if you are man of commonsense and reason you just helped yourself J
My apologies for such a long read but I hope that puts the word “religion” and “Belief” into perspective.
Post a Comment