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Summary of Question:	Religion 101
Category:	Other
Date Posted:	Friday, 2/04/2005 10:53 PM MST

WGJKK, WGJKF

i just wanted to bring up some interesting points that i encounctered during a recent discussion with some friends. We were speaking gently of the topic of religion and how it affected people differently.
There was a quote mentioned by Gandhi that goes something like: "I have never met two persons who follow the same religion the same way." Also, the point was brought up that God did not create Man, but Man created god (this is 100% true, even withstanding the argument of divine intervention, since it was humans, and not God, who introduced religion.) Basically, we could all see the uncertainities that are compiled in all religions and religion as a whole. So, I would just like to ask you 3 questions. If God truly does exist, what was the need of creating so many different religions and ways of praciting those religions (i.e. sects)? Secondly, why is it that mankind as a whole is rigoursly stuck on 500+ year old religions when times have changed so much (why not modify all the sacred books, e.g. Quran, Granth Sahib, Bible, etc. to fit that contemporary nature of man?) And last, if someone has seen a great deal of inter-religious conflict or suffered a vast amount of internal pain, is it really wrong for them to abandon their respective religion?

Sorry about the length.

(REPLY) Sat Nam. Your questions could lead to a lenghty disscussion, but to cut to the chase: I'm sorry, your basic premise is inaccurate. God definitely created Man (and Woman) and all creatures. Those enlightened beings - includng Guru Nanak, who EXPERIENCED God, have told us this. Remember EK ONG KAR? But Man created religion, which is not the same as creating God! Religions are formalized methods of worship, created by human beings, perhaps with the best of intentions, but unfortunately fanaticism, selfishness and greed has polluted the teachings of many saints and masters who tried to explain the meaning of life to others. Don't confuse religion with spirituality. Have you ever read Plato's analogy of the cave? Philosophers have struggled to understand what our Gurus EXPERIENCED and taught, but as Guru Nanak said, "thinking and thinking" will not give you understanding nor connect you with God. God has to be experienced. As for dumping all the scriptures -- well, keep in mind that our Siri Guru Granth Sahib is NOT just a book, it is not a Bible, it is not a history, it is a LIVING GURU. It is a Shabd Guru, and a transformation of consciousness takes place when and if a person can really tune into the Word of the Guru. When we recite the Words of the Guru, we elevate our consciousness. The main message is simple and to the point, Chant God's Name. Yes, each of us, in our own heart and soul has a unique way of relating to being a Sikh, after all, Sikh means student of Truth! But what is really wonderful is that we don't need anyone to intercede for us between God and Guru, we go direct by chanting God's Name. As we move closer to the Aquarian Age, although the turmoil in the world around us may get worse before it gets better, people are going to be more and more universal in their beliefs, and not surprisingly, the universal teachings of Guru Nanak through Guru Gobind Singh will be accepted, not just by those who profess to be Sikhs. "960 million we shall be." SP