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Śramana, Vol. 58, No. 1 January-March 2007
CAN THERE BE A CHOICE BETWEEN
RELIGION OR NO RELIGION
Dr. Kanchan Saxena*
Religion has always been the subject of much controversy. But recently this controversy has become greater. Some say religion is the panacea for all the ills of life. Some say religion serves no useful purpose : it is the opiate of the people, it is a tool in the hands of the higher classes to exploit the mass, to keep them under subjection.
There are two forms of religion; General and Particular or Sectarian. The general concept of religion is based on virtues and values" The right conduct and dutifulness". The word religion in its etymological meaning also stands for the unity and compassion. The very function of religions to unite the persons with their fellow being, with nature and with the divine forces. It is the only sectarian or particular concept of religion which has made the men incompassionate and intolerant towards each other. The term 'General' and 'Particular' were brought into use to make a distinction between the two forms of religion, not to divide human beings with each other.
Today, religion is found as a great social evil and a great danger to world peace and humanity. Religion is so often being misunderstood with sectarian religion that it will be more correct to say that the world religion today stands only and only for it's communal nature which has become an instrument in the hands of wicked persons who use it only for their vested interests, exploit
* Reader, Department of Philosophy, Lucknow University.
