RELIGION (Part 1) by ABASS

To most people religion offers salvation, enlightenment and a place in heaven. Religion identifies a way of life; it tells one a complete code of life. Religion emphasizes the importance of being good and being right. It condemns those who are bad and those who are wrong, those who practice a religion strive to be perfect, if they fail they may be condemned, and if they succeed they may become intolerant of others. Many religions have many gods while some believe in the oneness of God.

It has been said that thoughts of death led to the development of religion. It is however difficult to imagine what need there would be for religion in a world in which no one ever died or became ill. All religions attempt to give answers to basic questions: From where did the world come from? Why do people die and what happens afterwards? Why is there evil? How should people behave, etc.? In the distant past, these questions were answered in terms of mythology. However, nowadays much of literature deals with them and modern sciences try to investigate them.

It is also believed that religions were created to maintain peace over a large area of rule. People need to be calmed and by giving them a reason for their existence, it gives them something to grasp as a ‘’foundation’’ of knowledge. It also creates unity and makes it easier for someone to lead not to mention rule.

Religion attempts to search for a deeper meaning to life, to find facts about the universe, about the laws of nature; Religion has been in our flesh and blood since antiquity. Though science has flourished today, and science it should be noted is directly OPPOSED to religion, even so religion has not lost its significance, because science is beyond the comprehension of many, and religious trends are easy to convince, to be comprehended.

Humans are fundamentally religious even in the industrialized West, religion moulds human nature. Religion has been institutionalized, constitutionalized and politicized today. It has been channelled into violent conflict and barbaric cruelty. The bloodshed history of religious conflict provides us a clue detests the traditional religions that are morally bankrupt and corrupt. Religion has hindered the philosophy of universal fraternity and camaraderie, religion has caused many classes and races to engage in war against themselves. One group of religion opposes another. Therefore, there is Catholicism and Protestanism; as well as Sunni and Shia Muslims in the Islamic arena. Religion has lost its drive today. It kills the decent behaviour of humans today.

The crux of the next part shall dwell on the evolution of religion through the medieval ages which today is known as the ‘’dark ages’’ while subsequent parts shall seek to decipher the myriad of manipulations towards religions of the world.

Author
Lanlokun Abass
Graduate of History
University of Ibadan
@abbas_xvii