Born and brought up in Punjab, I've read so many stories about the not-so-great past of Punjab. The partition of India in 1947 resulted in death of so many innocents on the sacred land of Punjab, The land known for its fertility was soaked with human blood of so many religions, castes and races. It took years to revive from the horror of partition (wish i could forget the war with Pakistan in 1965 and 1971). After so many struggling years, it felt Punjab was progressing on its path to peace and harmony. But the destiny was predefined, one more crises took place in 1984, Operation blue star. So many innocent Hindus and Sikhs were burnt alive in the name of religion. By the time i was born, things had calmed down a bit, but this internal war in Punjab gave everyone a scar which would never heal. When the rest of the world was embracing the new technologies with open arms, India was still struggling to maintain law and order in so many states. While others were thinking upon the ways to improve the standard of living for human life, people were divided like never before in this part of world. I read a lot about the heinous acts committed by the same humanity, whom we say is the smartest species on this Earth. Some stories narrated one side of coin, while other was bent in the favor of other side. But i had to choose a path for myself deciding what was right and wrong.
The conclusion i drew was Religion. Religion divided the humanity, it made us look foolish in the eyes of God, it made a human an enemy of humanity, peace and prosperity. Beant Singh, the former Chief Minister of Punjab, was accused of killing thousands of innocent Sikhs in the aftermath of 1984. The vengeance was taken by killing Beant Singh in bomb explosion outside his office. Did it result in the victory of those families, who had lost their loved ones? Their lives were still the same, nothing changed. None was victorious, it was a defeat for humanity. Humanity lost to Religion (Humanity-0, Religion-1).
Far away in middle east, some Islamic countries were still struggling to find a way which could suit their religious needs, and at the same time should not become a bottle-neck to the path to prosperity. Here the story was not similar to what was narrated in the above paragraph. The human was still trying to justify its living by fighting for their religion. The commandants preached by the Mohammad (The God of Islam) gave humanity a reason to spit in separate groups. Osama Bin Laden, a hard-core Islamic fundamentalist took revenge from Americans by killing their innocent citizens. He convinced many of his followers that the only way to survive is by hatred and murder of other religions. Yesterday i was reading a discussion on Balwant Singh Rajoana where some people were calling him a martyr. If Balwant Singh is martyr, then why not Osama Bin Laden? Calling one extremist a terrorist, while other a martyr is real absurdity. But yes, [some] people in middle east still consider Osama bin laden a martyr. And humanity lost once again to religion (Humanity-0, Religion-2).
By no means, i want to offend any follower of Islam or any other religion, but it forces me to think of the times in which we could have lived without posing any restriction on any human being by any religion. One instance came to my mind when i imagined a world free of restriction and religions. The world of these animals and birds. I envy these birds and animals so much. Their world seemed much better place than the world we live in. They all have same set of rules, either 0 or 1. While the humans (the so-called lucky ones) have million set of rules to separate each other on the basis of religion, caste, color, wealth etc. One kills the other to claim victory of one's religion. One hates the other to show superiority of one's race. Everyday so many people are killed- some celebrate the victory while others prepare to take vengeance. Among the thumping victorious slogans and rant of losers, the Humanity loses this battle everyday.
Rarely one would see an elephant killing another elephant or a lion hunting another lion. Why God has made this human species look so dumb in front of other living beings. Every other species have a set of rules which they never violate. All migratory birds can go where-ever they want with the change in season. But human beings can't go from one country to another. We have put so many obstructions and barriers to our path of progress. The religion which evolved due to some great souls who wanted to enlighten the humanity to show them the path of progress, must be watching [in dismay] all these acts getting unfold with passing of each day. All such obstructions and barriers standing rigid have belittle the importance of religion in my life. To me, my religion is purely and solely my business. It has nothing to do with anyone else's life. If a religion is harming my freedom in any way, that for me, is just a taboo. Atheists are better human beings, the reason being at-least they don't interfere with anyone else's business. I wish the Almighty has made us a little more dumb, so that we could have understood the importance of humanity. I gave a vent to all the disappointment and frustration building inside me through this post.
I hope better sense will prevail over humanity and more people will choose religion as a supporter of humanity, rather than its enemy.
PS- This post is not for religious fanatics.
