Beliefs on Beliefs

#179

Most people I see who are devoted to their faith seem to be hypocrites. What I mean is that they frown upon others who do things they don't claim to believe in but they themselves do as they please. Also, such people don't tend to be caring, generous human beings. In fact, they come across as selfish. It reminds of an anecdote in the Prayer of the Frog wherein a lady would go to a particular temple every single day. She'd pass by several poor children on her way who’d keep begging for food or money. She’d choose to ignore them claiming to be a devout believer in God. One fine morning, the temple was locked. The lady arrived, seeing the temple locked, frantically looked around to see if she could find a reason as to why the temple was unusually closed that day. Near the lock, she found a small note containing 4 words - ‘I am out there!’

How much do theists really give away as charity? How much do they act in accordance with goodwill? They seem to be pouring loads of cash into 'Hundiyals' and buying flowers, garlands, milk, honey, wicks and matches, while instead they could’ve bought a poor soul food and more with that same amount. Another thing I notice is that atheists and agnostics don’t take offence as easily as faith-followers. Even the little things can set them off. Hypocrisy may be seen in this aspect too.

Would you rather have a devotee who is rude to others or an atheist who is kind, generous, charitable, and a good human being? I’m choosing the latter every day of the week and twice on Sunday! Understand the meaning behind things, behind your faith. Why do you do what you do? Do you truly believe in it or do you follow what your parents and elders around you taught you when you were a child? Another common occurrence I see in temples, especially in the South is when people hold each ear with the opposite hand and half-squat as a sign of asking for forgiveness. Isn’t it better to not commit the crime or mistake at all in the first place rather than begging for forgiveness later on? Also, how many people do you see coming to temples to only thank God and wish well for others, without asking anything for themselves? Most people there seem to be praying only to wish for something for themselves, selfishly. Faith in God isn't a barter transaction but it has been made so. Same is shown in the movie 3 Idiots. 

It'd be interesting to explore the deeper meaning behind all of this someday. The most baffling question yet to be answered is perhaps the one of 'Why do people belonging to different religions not celebrate the commonalities but fight over petty differences?' In the end, we're all just bones and can't be differentiated.