Prior to my trip to the Israel, my friend, who is a staunch Catholic, told me that she was happy that I am going to the Holyland, and I might be converted to Christianity. She said something like “you never know what the Lord will do to you”. I was a bit apprehensive, as I did consider converting to Christianity when I was in my teens. Studying in missionary school and surrounded by Christian and Catholic friends and teachers, the peer pressure and influence was quite strong, until an incident when someone insulted Buddha, and thankfully, I could not believe his accusation and that spurred me to understand Buddhism better.
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The environment will definitely influence a person’s view of things and life. When I was travelling in Tibet, it seemed that the only thing that matters was Buddhism. The Tibetan Lamas and the some travellers I met were totally immersed in Tibetan Buddhism. I was totally absorbed into it as well.
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When I am in the corporate world, it seems that the only thing that matters is making money. How to make more money? Where to make the money? How to get a bigger share of the pie? How to influence and convince others? How to beat competitions both internally and externally? How to play or avoid office politics? Money seems to be the main religion in that context.
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When I was visiting the Valley of Kings in Luxor, Egypt, I got a sense that the Pharaohs had total faith in the Egyptian Gods, and spent all the resources and time to build their tomb for an eternal afterlife. The beliefs in Egyptian Gods lasted at least 3000 years till the last Pharaoh. The great Romans and Greeks (including Alexandra the Great) believed Pagan Gods. Those are great empires and civilizations that lasted for centuries. Many great philosophers also came from those civilizations, and definitely, they would have many debates about religions and Gods.
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If I was born in Ancient Egyptian time, I would most probably believe in the Egyptian God. If I was born in Athens, I would most probably believe in Zeus and Hercules. If I was born in Saudi Arabia, I would most probably believe in Prophet Mohammed and Allah. If I was born in USA to a Christian family, I would most probably believe in Jesus Christ.
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The point is our narrow view of the world is shaped easily by our environment and the dominant force/power during that period. It can be easily manipulated and influenced.
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After visiting the Wailing Wall of the Jews, the crucification site of Jesus Christ, the temple where Prophet Mohammed ascended to Heaven, Mt Sinai where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God, and having more understanding of the Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity & Islam), there are so much inconsistencies that I became more sceptical about religions.
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Most importantly, religion has created so much division among people. People, esp those in the Middle East, are carrying so much historical and religious baggage and burden. So many cruelties and atrocities had been committed in the name of God/Allah/Jesus and Justice. Labelling people as Jews, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus etc... just creates more segregations and alienations.
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Ultimately, what is the objective of religion? Salvation? Redemption? Eternity? Fearful of God? Obedient to God? Personal Relationship with God? Be graced & embraced by the creator?
It is about having Happiness and Peace.
May be we should labelling each other and start seeing each other as fellow human beings who have hopes and fears. We are the same. We all hope to be happy and want to avoid sufferings. Whenever we see other being as being different, we would have less empathy and love for that being.
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In my opinion, the most important qualities of being a human being is
Kindness and Compassion.
And that’s my religion!
