I am beginning to regret saying that Religion would be one of my Blog’s monthly subjects for comment. In one sense, it is continually topical, but otherwise there is a consensus that warns of dire consequences.
But, are you religious? Most people are religious. You see, that statement is controversial within itself, and most people will avoid the subject.
I remember, when teaching post-graduates in China, deliberately asking this question in order to force discussion ... a rare occurrence in that country (until recently).
What does the question mean?
Do you believe that there is a God? Who is God — a very old man with a long grey beard sitting on the clouds? Or what is God — a Force, as revealed in the Star Wars story?
Were Jesus, Mohammed, and Buddha, real people — and immortal beings?
Although some students accepted that Jesus, Mohammed, and the Buddha were real people, few students admitted to believing in a God.
Therefore, I described this anecdotal question: Can you remember when you left the comforts of home for the first time, to commence university studies? You were required to live in a dormitory together with strangers who appeared to display different moral codes (at least, you thought so at the time). Can you remember, after a few days, crying into your tear-stained pillow, and saying, “Mommy, Mommy, please come quickly and take me away from this horrible place.” Remember?
But you knew that ‘Mommy’ could not hear you — so, who were you talking to? Anybody who (or anything that) would listen? Therefore, at that moment, were you not being somewhat religious? And is it probable that, even now, or sometimes, we have the need of a relationship with a “Force” that can resolve our problems? Could this be referred to as being religious?
I definitely a religious because I believe that there is a Buddha, God or Jesus. I should say I am a Buddhist because I was born in China and has been influenced by Buddhism. But I also visit churches sometimes because I like being there, listening and sharing our feelings.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think a Buddha or God would be a personal believes; would be a guider in our life; would be a regular people who was very kind and helpful in our community. I like Buddhism because I learnt that being a good person no stealing, no lying, no killing, etc. and you will get a good return, for example, go to heaven when you die. And this is exactly as same as Christian. Also, I like Christian because they believe we would like to share things with friends, family and people around you.
However, something I also don’t like in those religious. For example, Buddhists are not happy with women wearing a T shirt or skirt to visit a temple, because they would show their arms and legs, extremely in Thailand. Muslim women have been covered by their Burqa.
Unfortunately, the religious in China has been destroyed during Chairman Mao’s era. And it was a sad history we had. The first time I was been asked what is my religious just after I graduated from university in China, I didn’t know how to answer this question, it seemed I hadn’t had any religious. I started to think of this question after I was working and experienced many things in my life. So, I am not surprised when Bernie said many Chinese students or even post graduates didn’t answer this question.
Therefore, do we ask, "Who is God?" or "What is God?"
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