Which Religion is Better?

Which Religion is Better?

Atheists would say all religions are bad. They are not wrong, although they are not right either. They are not wrong because all religions condemn (at least the preachers do) Atheism. Even Pope Francis said Atheists should go to Hell. Islamic fundamentalists and terrorists consider non-believers as lower beings which deserved to be killed. How are these religions good if that’s their reputation it portrays to the whole world? Of course, some believers claim that those bigotry are not the true teaching of their religions. However, are they suggesting that the Pope and Imams are wrong? Are they claiming they know the religions better than the Pope and Imams? Are they expecting us to trust their words instead of the Pope and Imams?

Atheists are not right to generalize that all religions are bad. There are some elements of religious teaching which make believers happier with their lives. Some Atheists may have a lot of fear about life due to the lack of answers to their doubts. They feel so bewildered about what is right and wrong; what to do and not to do; what are the consequences in later life and afterlife; better or worse for individual and collective benefits; and many other doubts. Religious teaching provides the “answers”, but many can’t be verified or proven correct. Nevertheless, there are the “answers” instead of blank spaces to be filled up. Religious believers may be misguided but in many instances it can be better than Atheists who are unguided. Some Atheists kill more people than religious-motivated killing. Atheists can be as dangerous as wild animals; but some wild animals are harmless. So are religious believers; some are harmless and some are harmful.

The “answers” may not be correct, but the believers are conditioned to feel satisfied and content. It makes them happier; like marijuana does. The mental illness (which gives them a lot of suffering in terms of fear, obligations, guilt, anger, grief, lamentations and despair) is suppressed but not cured. This is at least better than enduring pain without painkillers. Happier people are less violence. This is good for themselves and also the society.

Comparing one football team with another is totally harmless. Comparing religion A to religion B can lead to wars and social chaos. Religious preachers cannot tolerate the existence of other religions. Of course, they try to be diplomatic on some occasions; but on another day they will go on tv shows to declare other religions as fake. They can’t even tolerate the existence of other sects of the same religion; leave alone acceptance of different views. The behaviour is like viruses; they really don’t want the body to break up because they need it to survive. However, their nature is to destroy the host. Religious fundamentalists really don’t want the world to break down into chaos, but their nature is to destroy their society.

Is religion good or bad? Everything which can survive the tests of time must have some good, although it may also have some bad. It is inaccurate to say a football team is bad because some elements are good while some others are bad. Just because they lost every game doesn’t mean they shouldn’t exist. Otherwise, another team will have to take the last position in the next season. There will be less number of games to watch. At least they can put up a fight.

Virus is not totally bad. It makes the body fight back and become stronger. If there is no religion, some parts of the world will be chaotic due to unguided Atheists. With religion, some parts of the world are chaotic due to misguided believers. It makes almost no difference. Is it bad to have chaos? If we choose to see reality as it is, not what we wish it to be, we will not simply judge something in simple terms of good vs bad. It is not abnormal to have chaos in time and space. Just as it is not abnormal to get sick. That’s the reality whether we like it or not. We must transcend the worldly definition of right and wrong, and good or bad. Let the Nature take its course. Don’t let the peace and happiness in your heart be affected by the outer world.