Normally, people who believe in God or the ones who don't believe like to divide the whole world into two sections, one set of people who believe in God and its existence are called 'theists' and the other section who don't believe in God are called 'atheists'. There are many subgroups among both these groups, but normally people like to associate themselves with any one of these categories. Both groups are very passionate about their beliefs and have very strong points to support their hypothesis. I love to hear both sides, both have many very good points and that's why it really amazes me when I see that both sides feel that the other side doesn't have any logic or rationale behind their hypothesis. The funny thing is that both feel that the other side is totally ignorant and stupid.
Many theist people who know me think that I am an atheist who doesn't believe in God or doesn't follow any rituals of any organized religion. Because of this behavior, theists put me in the 'atheist' category. Also, some posts on my blog clearly show my views about organized religion and the traditional concept of God preached by many sects and groups. But at the same time many who see me and meet me at some poojas, festivals, and religious gatherings, see me singing bhajans or aartis (devotional songs), involved in so-called spiritual discussions and gatherings think that I am kind of religious guy who needs a little more push to become a full-fledged devotee. And because of the many questions that I ask they also think that I need some proper guidance and a Guru so that I can also become one of them, a devotee who accepts everything without questioning (or minimum questioning). They say that if this happens then I can enjoy all the benefits that come from being part of an organized religious group. Many of my atheist friends like my posts and views where I question some religious concepts and traditions that are still practiced, I target especially the ones that result in discrimination or suppression of a particular class of society or a particular gender.
I don't fit in any of these groups, maybe there are no proper labels for people like me. I am sure there are many like me with an all-inclusive philosophy who are fine with the concept of God or no God, any religion or no religion as long as it maintains peace, harmony, mutual respect, and dignity of all, and allows healthy discussion to improve knowledge. I also agree that my views about the current form of religion and the concept of God are closer to atheism rather than theism. The problem with the conventional definition of theist or atheist is that it puts too much emphasis on the presence of a deity. People who believe that at least one deity exists are called theists and those who don't believe in the existence of deities are called atheists. Both these groups don't meet eye to eye and try to score points against each other wherever they can. Both of them are becoming quite fanatic and extremist in their views. I don't like this constant tug of war and continuous attempts to insult or humiliate each other. I think both can learn a lot from each other and can peacefully co-exist but the current format of organized religion or many cult movements or fanatic atheism doesn't allow this. As far as I read about religion, I found that Hinduism (not in its current form but maybe in its early stages) was the only civilization that not only allowed but encouraged questioning as a way to gain and generate knowledge. Back then it also gave the option to reject all current theories and philosophies and find something new. Somehow that tolerant and secular thinking lost its ground as it evolved into an organized religion which we call Hinduism today. Many things changed and today it is not at all different from most other religions practiced around the world.
Theists and atheists can learn a lot of good things from each other. The best scenario will be where both can co-exist together and benefit from each other. Many don't need religion or God to live their life, they are strong enough to live their life without need of any such imaginary support. At the same time, many need religion and God desperately and can not imagine their life without these things. We all no matter which group you associate with need to be sensitive to the feelings of others. If people ridicule each other's beliefs all the time then how we can understand each other and share our ideas? I think even common people (who are not involved in research) need to adopt a scientific mindset and logical thinking. Scientists listen to new concepts and ideas from all fields of science and don't ridicule them just because they don't like it or think it's crazy. In science, any question or objection is not taken as an offense but as an opportunity to improve and learn more. What is wrong with having this type of mindset in real life? If everyone can think like this then slowly these labels even if they exist will stop having rigid meanings and stop dividing people based on their beliefs. In science chemists don't hate physicists or biologists just because they belong to different fields, rather they help each other and borrow ideas liberally from wherever they feel necessary. Isn't this a beautiful philosophy and way to live life? Isn't this thinking or approach helped us to solve some great mysteries or problems? This interdisciplinary approach leads us to invent great things that make our lives more comfortable and happy. I am not preaching any new philosophy here, rather I am saying we can use the same philosophy that is already in use. No matter which religion you follow or don't follow any religion, whether you consider yourself a theist or atheist, if you can think like a scientist, it can do wonders. Let's be happy and make others happy.
Links:
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theism
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheism
Many theist people who know me think that I am an atheist who doesn't believe in God or doesn't follow any rituals of any organized religion. Because of this behavior, theists put me in the 'atheist' category. Also, some posts on my blog clearly show my views about organized religion and the traditional concept of God preached by many sects and groups. But at the same time many who see me and meet me at some poojas, festivals, and religious gatherings, see me singing bhajans or aartis (devotional songs), involved in so-called spiritual discussions and gatherings think that I am kind of religious guy who needs a little more push to become a full-fledged devotee. And because of the many questions that I ask they also think that I need some proper guidance and a Guru so that I can also become one of them, a devotee who accepts everything without questioning (or minimum questioning). They say that if this happens then I can enjoy all the benefits that come from being part of an organized religious group. Many of my atheist friends like my posts and views where I question some religious concepts and traditions that are still practiced, I target especially the ones that result in discrimination or suppression of a particular class of society or a particular gender.
I don't fit in any of these groups, maybe there are no proper labels for people like me. I am sure there are many like me with an all-inclusive philosophy who are fine with the concept of God or no God, any religion or no religion as long as it maintains peace, harmony, mutual respect, and dignity of all, and allows healthy discussion to improve knowledge. I also agree that my views about the current form of religion and the concept of God are closer to atheism rather than theism. The problem with the conventional definition of theist or atheist is that it puts too much emphasis on the presence of a deity. People who believe that at least one deity exists are called theists and those who don't believe in the existence of deities are called atheists. Both these groups don't meet eye to eye and try to score points against each other wherever they can. Both of them are becoming quite fanatic and extremist in their views. I don't like this constant tug of war and continuous attempts to insult or humiliate each other. I think both can learn a lot from each other and can peacefully co-exist but the current format of organized religion or many cult movements or fanatic atheism doesn't allow this. As far as I read about religion, I found that Hinduism (not in its current form but maybe in its early stages) was the only civilization that not only allowed but encouraged questioning as a way to gain and generate knowledge. Back then it also gave the option to reject all current theories and philosophies and find something new. Somehow that tolerant and secular thinking lost its ground as it evolved into an organized religion which we call Hinduism today. Many things changed and today it is not at all different from most other religions practiced around the world.
Theists and atheists can learn a lot of good things from each other. The best scenario will be where both can co-exist together and benefit from each other. Many don't need religion or God to live their life, they are strong enough to live their life without need of any such imaginary support. At the same time, many need religion and God desperately and can not imagine their life without these things. We all no matter which group you associate with need to be sensitive to the feelings of others. If people ridicule each other's beliefs all the time then how we can understand each other and share our ideas? I think even common people (who are not involved in research) need to adopt a scientific mindset and logical thinking. Scientists listen to new concepts and ideas from all fields of science and don't ridicule them just because they don't like it or think it's crazy. In science, any question or objection is not taken as an offense but as an opportunity to improve and learn more. What is wrong with having this type of mindset in real life? If everyone can think like this then slowly these labels even if they exist will stop having rigid meanings and stop dividing people based on their beliefs. In science chemists don't hate physicists or biologists just because they belong to different fields, rather they help each other and borrow ideas liberally from wherever they feel necessary. Isn't this a beautiful philosophy and way to live life? Isn't this thinking or approach helped us to solve some great mysteries or problems? This interdisciplinary approach leads us to invent great things that make our lives more comfortable and happy. I am not preaching any new philosophy here, rather I am saying we can use the same philosophy that is already in use. No matter which religion you follow or don't follow any religion, whether you consider yourself a theist or atheist, if you can think like a scientist, it can do wonders. Let's be happy and make others happy.
Thanks for reading and please share your views on this topic.
Links:
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theism
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheism
[Copyright: Vinay Thakur. Please contact the author for re-posting or publishing]
