Religion or Symbols

Every religion has 3 aspects - values, symbols and practices.

There is diversity in the practices and symbols, whereas the values are common to all religions. The growth of fanaticism, fundamentalism and intolerance in the world today, is because people are only stuck in practices, symbols and customs. They forget about the values - human values.

The dress code of any religion is a symbol. If one does not follow the dress code, but follows the values, Is he / she less religious than the one who is wearing long robes and beads, or carries sticks or swords.

No. Religion is not symbols or practices alone. Don't take me wrong. I am not preaching not to follow symbols or practices. My case here is different.

Don't get stuck in Beard and Salwars and caps and robes. Practice the values first and you will find an automatic desire to follow the symbols and practices. The religion then would be much more fun and act as a guide to live life, rather than a thing to be feared.

What do you want to be remembered for?

When I was thirteen I had an inspiring teacher of religion who one day went right throught the class asking each one, "What do you want to be remembered for?". None of us of course could give an answer. So, he chucled and said, "I didn't expect you to be able to answer it. But if you still can't answer it by the time you are fifty, you will have wasted your life".

I am always asking that question: "What do you want to be remembered for?". It is an question that induces you to renew yourself, because it pushes you to see yourself as a different person-the person you can become. If you are fortunate, someone with moral authority will ask you that question early enough in your life, so that you will continue to ask it as you go through life. It is a question that induces you to renew yourself, because it pushes you to see yourself as a different person - the person you can become.

Credit : Peter Drucker