Power don’t come from a badge or a gun. Power comes from lying. Lying big and gettin’ the whole damn world to play along with you. Once you’ve got everybody agreeing with what they know in their hearts ain’t true, you’ve got ‘em by the balls” – Sin City
It sounds incredulous and often downright ridiculous that people can still believe in a thing like religion. I mean come on, how many of us believe that there is actually a heaven up there, with 70 virgins awaiting our arrival or the fact that the sun, the moon, the wind et all are sitting up there in golden crowns enjoying the seductive moves of apsaras over a glass of somras. I really wish it were all true (at-least the virgins bit :P) but no, I can’t reconcile ideas like these with my logical understanding of things. I think that is indeed the case with most of the people around me. Deep down, they do know that is but a big farce, but they still can’t bring themselves to disassociate with religion.
To think of it, religion as an institution has survived remarkably well for thousands of years. Even till this day when the whole religious mythology is grossly anachronistic, religion continues to be a dominating force in the lives of billions. I see four key reasons that makes this institution click despite all odds
- Inherent human vulnerability/need for a father figure: For most of us things would get scary if there weren’t God and religion. Deep within we are still vulnerable, we need that assurance that some good lord with flowing white beard is watching over us and will ensure our well being. It is tough to let go of that warm mushy blanket.
- Need for identity: Religion plays a good role in shaping our identity, at-least in a country like India. Religion isn’t just about a set of beliefs, it is a cultural identity, a way of life. It is in our taste buds, in our ears, we feel it, we touch it, we savor it. Be it in Diwali crackers, Christmas pudding, Eid seviyan, the aroma of an incense stick or the enchanting music of a bhajan or mercia. Religion defines our identity, our community, often it defines our interests. No doubt it is so tough to forgo religion, for it would be akin to forgoing one’s own identity.
- Fear of nihilism: Religion simplifies a lot of things, it gives a lot of order. It gives our lives a purpose (do things as prescribed and go to heaven). God is supposedly the perfect bookkeeper. He is there to reward all good guys and spank the evil ones. Now take it all away and things appear to get a little nihilistic. The definition of good and evil, the purpose of life, everything becomes blurred and hazy in absence of a God. Add to it the fact that with God out of the equation, who will ensure that a balance is maintained, people are given their due. We fear such uncertainty and hence stick to religion.
- Lack of evangelism: Unlike the crusaders and the khalifs and missionaries who fought fierce battles and travelled around this world to propagate God’s message, there were no such enthusiasts who would propagate atheism with such zeal (come on, who would take such trouble sans the promise of 70 virgins 😀 ). Even the ones who grew out of their faith didn’t bother much to wake others off their slumber.
Let me know your thoughts on this, and do add more points. And if you are still awake and are as jobless as me then do check out this awesome debate between Sam Harris and Rabbi David Wolpe on God’s existence http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2329504685124044436