Riot Act III: Deconstructing Religion

In the holy trinity of ever controversial issues, religion remains unmatched by sexuality and politics, intertwined into the everyday life of human beings, deeply spreading its textual roots into the acres of passion and faith that drive followers to believe. A praised vehicle of hope and solidarity, one’s religion usually becomes one’s identity, and is often carefully guarded against criticism like a vulnerable baby in a manger.

As a child, I was raised in a religious household for my grandfather was a pundit, and my parents were steadfastly committed to being “good” Hindus, as in, practising their culture. I attended a Hindu primary school and then graduated to a Catholic secondary school where religiously-relevant prayers were said at least three times per day. I studied Sanskrit Hindi at Sunday school and was a member of Baal Vikas, a competitive Hindu children’s choir. As you can imagine, my developing years were not short on the wisdoms and teachings of many religions. So the question remains, how can someone this deeply involved in his religion not believe?

During my academic career as a university student, I studied South Asian history, hoping to gain enlightenment and understanding of my culture. Although I developed an intense satisfaction towards theories that could be both reasonably and factually supported, I was open-minded to the idea that alternative explanations could smooth over the inconsistencies I discovered in my faith. Unfortunately, they only helped to nail my beliefs to the cross.

If you are Hindu and have been to any number of religious ceremonies, you may often notice that some pundits comment on certain actions being “incorrect” despite being taught by others of the same profession. Other times some rituals may lead you to question their necessity altogether while being simply clarified as “part of the process”. The main reason for these variations can simply be a reflection of Hinduism’s multi-textual foundation, for unlike Christianity and Islam who adhere to the Bible and the Qur’an respectively, Hinduism has no one core book of knowledge or guidelines because in the days it was written, the religion was simply a catalyst of mass manipulation.

Riddled in rewrites, inclusions and exceptions, the rituals of Hinduism changed with the reigning classes, coordinated to benefit the likes of those in charge and to appease their outlook on life and the way it should be lived.

Why then, hundreds of years later, do we submit to such archaic and outdated teachings? If one group of persons finds meaning in a scripture, it does not automatically fulfill the needs and understandings of a mass congregation with differing situations and lifestyles. Humans are not stock characters that can adhere to rules written in stone. How can we allow ourselves to be governed by such ancient mindsets when we constantly reevaluate our own behaviour to the appropriateness of ever changing society?

Furthermore, if we open religion to interpretation, aren’t we no better than the Europeans who used these exact scriptures to justify the enslavement of our ancestors? Personally, I can not give my support to any institution that discriminates and isolates individuals who ask for their acceptance, based purely on gender or sexual orientation. Moreover, what does it mean when the “leaders” preaching these validations not only engage in these affairs but traumatize under-age victims? When is the sanctity of religion broken? Is forgiveness as easy as confession, prayer and repentance? And if so, is our justice system needed? Would you be satisfied if a priest or pundit absolved a criminal of his sins? Do you understand the motives of Holy War?

All these questions constantly reinforce my disbeliefs in the conventions of religion and simultaneously strengthen my faith in God. Live your life with purpose, and respect, and be tolerant of other people’s cultures, lifestyles and ideas, including those who choose to follow their religion. Be responsible for the choices you make and remain aware that while you may follow your ideas, you still live in the real world. Finally, understand if don’t believe in religion, you have not abandoned God and he can hear your prayer from your bedside to the sidewalk. Religion is but a man-made state of control, and by no means a legitimate basis to dictate the suitability of one’s character or lifestyle.

RIOT for Freethought, Responsibility and Faith

By Shastri Ramlogan