Mathematics of Religious-ism

Mathematics of religious-ism
Disclaimer: If you’re a narrow minded, who expects everyone to convert to your religion because you think it’s the best solution to all world problems, kindly leave this page.Today, I’m calling out people who have been the culprits of inter-faith arguments over the years. Please read on and help me identify anyone you may know.

1)        I read a ridiculous article online yesterday. A so-called “Muslim” preacher trying to ridicule Hinduism through slides and presentation of our pantheon. I quote, “ The reason I’m doing this is not to ridicule other religion but to help people realize the beauty of Islam”. Help me make sense. How does ridiculing other religion help enhance one’s belief in a different religion? Even if does, how could anyone compare two completely different religions and arrive at a conclusion? I call these people, “Skewed-boxplots”.  “Skewed” because they are prejudiced, biased and refuse to understand other religions in their own terms. “Boxplots” only because they live in their own rectangular world with perfect edges, pushing other religions to the furthest point possible. Now, don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against Muslim preachers. I went to a 99.9% Muslim populated boarding school, and I had a great time learning about Islam. In fact, my close friends are Muslims who earned my respect.  What I’m against here is ridiculing other religions regardless of your affiliations.

2)        Next up is my personal favorite. I call them, “lower-rangers”.  They are people who are who scout the Internet for articles relating to their religions and constantly share it in an attempt to spread awareness or think themselves as “rangers” of their religion. Now, again don’t get me wrong. Sharing it is perfectly fine; in fact, I like to read different articles about different religion. Problem here is when you share without researching. Thousand of people these days, self-proclaim themselves to be religious masters. Some who actually spend time researching and analyzing claims, while the others who “lower” their researching habits and merely share and like articles that might not even be from the right source. In the end, everyone loses out. A foreign reader might assume what you share is right, while a believer might think you are spreading the wrong information, causing further conflict.

3)        Meet the complete opposite, “higher-rangers”. These people often appear to be completely well read and knowledgeable people who have obtained multiplied degrees from various institutions around the world. Yet, they have a habit of sharing their “high” collection of knowledge and expect people to embrace them as the ultimate fact. Even better, they often use their intelligence or credentials as an advantage to allure crowds to belief their “facts”. Often times, the “lower-rangers” fall prey for these people, accepting blindly everything that comes under the label religion.

4)        Finally, let me introduce the “medians”. These are people who choose to remain neutral throughout their life. People who know real facts, or experiences that can help educate other people, but choose to remain silent. I guess, it’s true what people say, silent people are indeed the people who gets the most out of everything. I have to admit, I often fall under this category. Not because of my “knowledge” but because I choose to remain silent. I’ve always thought educating people might not bring any difference. Especially if they have not been exposed to diverse cultures as I did. The thing is, I’m beginning to realize that all these years of silence has only helped two things; ignorance and religious-ism.  I feel the guilt when close friends do not understand religious differences. More than that, I feel burdened by the thought that these people will be parents and pass down their mentality to children.

Thousand of people live in fear to practice their religions or even to admit they do not believe in any religion. I often question myself, what is the purpose of religion? To me, religion is an individual process, which provides a guide to our spiritual journey. In the end, it doesn’t matter what religion you are, but how far have you advanced spiritually. You know you are in the right track, if you could detach yourself from your routines and see the world as a beautiful picture it is, and thank the “painter” behind it.

So, the solution for religious-ism is simple.  “Skewed-Boxplots” needs to be eliminated. How? “Lower-ranger” need to step up their game by researching and be careful about what they share. “Higher-rangers” need to stop acting superior and respect others as also being able to contribute. Most importantly, medians need to break their silence and start explaining when you need to. Increase your “lower rangers” and decrease your “higher rangers”, and take away “medians” and close the gaps between the “skewed boxplots”. All you get is a straight line. Everyone perfectly aligned in a single line pointing upwards towards a better humanity.