By Oladotun O. Fadeyiye
The word ‘Religion’ has been described by various scholars based on their understanding. Funnily enough, among these scholars were atheists who by their opinions claim there is no God or supreme being of some sort. That whatever we see happen on earth and the rest of other planets happened by chance. Despite these assertions by these group of people, religious activities across the world has not declined. Recently, just before I thought of doing this blog, while I was researching on what religion is all about, I came across a definition that really described in simple english what religion is, it says religion is a “belief in, or the worship of, a god or gods”or the “service and worship of God or the supernatural”. Evidently, this definition says everything about religion. All over the world, it has been proven that religion activities are done to acknowledge God or gods. As a matter of fact, in my research I discovered there has always been some vacuum in human being that would always yearn for the acknowledgment of God the creator or supreme being. It is in process of trying to fill this vacuum that make humans want more than just physical things, they yearn and crave for spirituality, they become adventurous in seeking wisdom and understanding of metaphysical and supernatural around them.
A global 2012 poll reports that 59% of the world’s population is religious, and 36% are not religious, including 13% who are atheists, with a 9 percent decrease in religious belief from 2005. This statistic really shows the human’s yearning for the service and worship to supreme being or other gods. Interestingly, everyone has the free will to choose whom he or she serves whether true and Holy God or man made gods. I am not judgmental here, whether you serve the true and Holy God or otherwise there is reward for both.
I try as much as possible not to appear like a bigot or sound bias to other religion whenever I discuss religion, because it is a sensitive issue. Well, I am Christian, a staunch penticostal at that and my Bible teaches me the distinction between Holy God and man made gods. It also teaches us not to judge one another, that we shhould always leave judgment to Him, the only God, who is the creator of heaven and earth! But it breaks my heart when humans perpetrate all sort of evils under the pretext of religion. Our religion suppose to make us pious and full of wisdom and understanding on how things should be done in a peaceful atmosphere. I also want to believe that virtually all religion across the world preach and teach peace. Some of these religion even anchor their doctrines on peace and kick against war, strife, violence and conflict of any kind amongst themselves or with their neighbours. Moreso, I do not want to seem like a prophet of doom, but If care is not taken, I perceive religion may soon become a major bane of socio-economic and political development particularly in some countries with multi-religious tendencies.
Frankly, a whole lot of questions begin to pop up in my mind right now, these soul searching questions many of us should ask ourselves that, am I really into the right religion? Does my religious activities really glorify my creator? Does it affect people around me positively? Does it preach peace or violence?
Finally, it is not the duty of anyone to judge anyone based on his or her religion neither is it in anybody’s place to criticise whether a person is practising the right or wrong religion. However, whatever religion you and I practice, should never be a barrier to our peaceful co-existence, but rather be a unifying factor for our progress, development and peaceful co-existence!
Have a nice weekend ahead!
Merry Christmas in advance.