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Religion : Belicving and Worshipping
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Religious rites serve as signs of passage from one state to another, from child to adult, from single to married, and from alive to dead. They may be said to map the life-program of the individual. 5. True Religion is Personal
To emphasize the social function of religion is not to minimize the genuine importance of its personal content. Studies of the sociology of religion give us plenty of insight into its function in society but what does this leave of religious truth for the individual ? We can, no longer, believe in the literal truths of traditions nor is it easy to accept the rejection of the scientific truths which has been characteristic of many religions. In the orthodox past, we have been taught, almost wholly, by exhortations and traditions with their attendant superstitions and dogmas. Whatever the meaning of God or of the universe may be, we should use all our knowledge including facts proved by science to understand them as clearly as we can. This is indeed wbat men bave been doing through the centuries by expanding their sense of awareness and wisdom. Science cannot negate eternal truth nor can religion negate a proven fact. And, hence, it is wrong to believe that scientific discoveries can negate the truths of philosophy. Wisdom of philosophy and discoveries of science can, together, pave the way for more truths and knowledge which nay be woven into a higher wisdom and used for the benefit of mankind. Both good and evil are present to some degree in human nature. True religion stimulates the good traits and inhibits the bad ones. Control of inherently evil traits can only be achieved from within by suitable modification of programs which have been inherited or learnt. The effect of these programs produce an urge which is stronger than the force of theoretical knowledge. Subjugating of the urge can be achieved by developing power that lies deeper in the sub-conscious. Such power is also innate in all humans. It is the function of the religion to develop that power by right techniques.
It is our spiritual duty to countermand and overcome the evil urges and we have the innate capacity to do so. All that is needed is to develop this potential into a reality. This is the work of the true religion.
