flickr/florian_b/

Humanism is older than all the religions.

There have been humanists since the beginning of recorded history, all over the world, though the word “Humanism” has only been used to describe our beliefs and values since the 19th century. These ideas have been recorded in Europe, from the 6th century BCE to about 6th century CE, in China from the 6th century BCE onwards, in India from the 6th century CE onwards, in the Arab world from the 12th century CE, and in the Western world from the 17th century CE to the present day.

If there was no religion, the world would be something other than it is today. But who can say what it would be like? While looking at this sentence, several questions comes to our mind. Even if, we are not brainstorming at the time. These questions will keep disturbing you;

• How would a world without religion have been born?
• How could the cave man have explained the meaning of life without religion?
• How would the cultures of Greece or India have flourished without religion?
• What story would the leader of a group of people have told his people, when a tsunami destroyed their homes?
• Have you thought about the difference between organised religion and religion as it is practised as a personal devotion?
• Religion, what is it good for?
• But what if, religion never existed?
• What we never had religion — or religions — to fight with or against?
• Would the World (and the people who inhabit it) be a better place?
• Would there be something important missing?
• On balance, and ultimately, has religion been a “good” thing or a “bad” thing?

People of religion usually inherit their beliefs from their families, depending on their culture. Humanists have always worked things out for themselves, and we’re still doing it now. For this reason, we’re sometimes called “freethinkers” because that’s what we do – we think freely, rather than believing.

The symbol of Humanism is the Happy Human. Many people hear this list and say “well, I guess I’m a Humanist”. Maybe it’s you as well. Most Humanists don’t believe in God or belong to any religion, but call themselves Humanist because they share these values.

Humanists believe that:
• we can gain knowledge through scientific research and looking at the natural world – what is real, what we can see and touch
• this one life is all we know we have
• our morality (our sense of right and wrong) comes from our human nature and culture
• what is right is what promotes human welfare and fulfilment
• we can and should create meaning and purpose in life

Religion satisfies a deep seated need in humans, the need to feel that there is a purpose to my existence. It is only in the past few years that we have understood the mechanics behind tsunamis. There is a whole lot of history before that, and I don’t see how humans could have passed through those times without building a religion to see them through.

Without religion, it would be much harder to control society – for good and evil. Because religion is a way of sharing morals within a society. It is a way of telling parents which teachings are important to pass on to children. It is a way of building a common life style. Without religion, something else would need to take that place.

Without religion, there would still be morals, and good people. There would still be those good people who want the best for everybody. There would also still be bad people, and people who think they are good, but only out to get “their own”. Quite often human selfishness is the greatest evil of all.

A world without religion would be very different, but it would be different because for humans to not have religion, we would have to be very different beings. And I just don’t know what that could be like. Or then a world without religion would be just like the world of today, except we wouldn’t have things called religion… We’d have other ways of hating people different from us, and being nice to people in our culture.

But, if we look back to the roots in history – during the times of our evolution, when the first two creatures of God, landed on Earth. Did they had any religion? Because, they are the source of the humanity and human race on Earth. If not them, then why us?

Religion does divide people. That is true. However, I prefer the word separate rather than divide. Religion does group people into different sects. Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus. These differences sometimes can cause disagreements and hostility between people of different religious backgrounds. Wars have been waged in the past and present in the name of religion and often times the resentment follows through generations to come.

And if, religion is utmost necessary, for the identification of caste and creed of the large population, then it should be kept in mind that it should not be mingled with terrorism. The statement is so, that what we actually see, is mostly the Islamic States are involved in the clutches of terror – related activities.

A group of people whose behavior, together, results in their own self-destruction… not even animals would do this. So to say that humans ‘would behave’ like this (without religion) is insulting and arrogant on so many (ignorant) levels.

Religion takes away from us the very thing that makes us human: critical thought, and the ability to make value judgement for ourselves. So, what would happen if humans could interact in using that ability? That, unfortunately, is an experiment that has yet to reach any conclusion.
Now, the question arises, particularly with the religion of Islam, that if the messages of religions, aren’t the root cause of conflict – they are simply a justification for it. Then, why a Muslim family, in a Hindu locality specially is denied home to live in or in some cases they are not being allowed to stay as PG.

Why it is so?

That means, the mainstream society considers the religion of Islam and its followers to be the followers of “Terrorism” as a whole. But, the problem is that, no one even tries to accept the fact that the terrorist or terrorism doesn’t fall under any categories of religion.

It’s a sorry state of affair to see the Muslims are looked down as an Offended class of religions. There is no quick fix to the human condition.

The negativity we see today and falsely attribute to religion is totally a wrong misconception. People who do the wrong do not belong to a specific religion which requires them to do wrong. They do it for money, power, greed etc.

But restricting religion to common definition of Christianity, Islam, Judaism etc., it would make no substantial non-negative difference if they would not exist.

The “No” arguments basically say not all wars are based on religion. But the further you dig into the layers of reasoning behind war, religion always ends up showing its ugly face. Religion is war; the people who say otherwise are more following idiots that will defend it in fear of going to “hell”. The world would be a much more peaceful place without religion. Less fear, less crime and less hate in a world without religion. For now, we are stuck in the dark ages, a world of war until the religions die off.

Some people just take their beliefs too far. They get upset that not everyone thinks like they do. They think they feel this inner peace and they want everyone to feel it. That is until people do things that go ageist their beliefs. Then, they get enraged and start doing things that go against what they say they believe. They tell other people who believe what they do, and get them riled up. The group of people then take to the streets, causing chaos everywhere they go. That is how wars start. The world would be a much better place if people would just except that we all have different beliefs.

The world would not be more peaceful if there were no religion. In order to feel peaceful a society and its people need to feel secure. Religion in and of itself works to give its people a sense of security and peacefulness that they would not otherwise have if they did not have religion.

Om Puri in the movie “Oh My God” said that “Mazhab insaanon ke liye banta hai … mazhab ke liye insaan nahi bante”. Which meant “Religion is made for humans … human is not made for religion”.

Similarly Akshay Kumar, who represented God Krishna in the movie also said, “Maine sirf insaan banaya … aur insaan ne yeh jaat, paat, dharm, mazhab ka dhanda shuru kiya”; meaning “I only made humans … and humans started this business of caste, religion, etc”.

Up Next

Asia sharing pieces of Qatar

Don't Miss

High-tech versus counter-insurgency, why the US isn’t gaining traction

Suhail Haque

Comments

Culture and Lifestyle

The visionary Spanish artist makes a milestone in the art industry and human science

Published

1 year ago

December 12, 2022

Andra Tudor

The art industry is buzzing with the incredible news of a Spanish artist, Eduardo Vidal, who has achieved an unparalleled milestone in both art and human science. His work can be described as visionary, a term that only few artists are able to live up to. While his works have been featured in some of the world’s most prestigious galleries and museums, Eduardo Vidal art remains humble about his talent.

Eduardo Vidal has developed an original style that blurs the lines between surrealism and minimalism. He uses color theory to create pieces that are both complex yet simple at the same time; he also combines techniques from traditional painting with modern digital technology to create intricate designs. His work is praised for its innovative approach which speaks directly to viewers’ emotions and encourages them to think differently about the world around them.

Art Industry Impact

Art has been a form of expression for centuries, and it continues to be an important part of our culture today. In recent years, the art industry has seen tremendous growth and development as more people turn to art as a means of communication. One artist who is making waves in the industry is Spanish visionary artist Miguel Molinez. He recently achieved a milestone that could have long-term implications not just for the art world, but also for human science.

Molinez’s innovative technique combines the traditional principles of painting with modern digital technology, creating unique works that have captivated audiences around the world. His creative approach to creating artwork has yielded ground-breaking results in both aesthetics and scientific accuracy. His most recent project which involved recreating an ancient historical moment using light was so successful that it could open up new possibilities in terms of exploring our past through visual arts.

Human Science Revolution

The Spanish artist, Carlos Bermejo, has just made a monumental breakthrough in the art and science worlds. His unique approach to incorporating elements of human science into his artwork is revolutionizing the way people think about art. With an emphasis on connecting human emotion and experience with scientific models, he is paving the way for a new era of expressionism.

Bermejo’s latest masterpiece incorporates theoretical physics principles to explore the relationship between time and space. This ambitious project has gained global attention as it bridges both art and science by exploring how humans interact with their environment on an individual level. His work provides a platform for viewers to consider their own place within this world by reflecting on its beauty, mystery, and complexity.

The conclusion of the article regarding Spanish artist’s milestone has been monumental. Spanish visionary artist, Eduardo Vidal, has made a lasting mark on the art industry and human science alike. This new milestone is considered groundbreaking, as it has observed the way humans interact with their environment by utilizing scientific principles and innovative techniques to create meaningful works of art.

Eduardo Vidal success in this field proves that there are no boundaries when it comes to creating meaningful works of art. Through his work, Eduardo Vidal was able to bring together different disciplines such as science and art, highlighting how intricately intertwined they truly are. The impact of his contribution is undeniable; not only has he created incredible works of art, but he also helped bridge the gap between creative fields and opened up new possibilities for exploration in the future.

Culture and Lifestyle

Spend All Your Time Online? Hobbies That’ll Get You More Hands On

Published

2 years ago

September 19, 2022

Andra Tudor

If you find yourself always online, it’s best to turn off the computer or phone and find something else to do. However, that’s a lot easier said than done! But if you’ve got a hands-on hobby in your back pocket, you’ll always have something fun and practical to turn to when you get bored.

Staring at a screen all day isn’t healthy for you, and it’s good to find real ways to rest your eyes and get outside a bit more. As such, here are some ideas regarding the kinds of hobbies that’ll help you find enjoyment in things other than what’s going on online.

Woodworking

If you’ve ever fancied yourself as a carpenter, this is the first step on your journey to putting huge items of furniture together for your own home. Get a bit of wood, get a carving knife, and see how you can manipulate the material to make something interesting. Take precautions and protect your hands, but have fun at the same time. And while you’ve not got a woodworking shop yet, even just a small set of tools can help you whittle your way to new cutlery, decorative figurines, and incredibly personal birthday and anniversary presents.

Building Models

Miniatures are a very popular hobby, and all thanks to the time and love we have to put into making them. And when you’re a fan of building your own models, you can move into other item builds, such as attaching 80 lower receiver jigs to a rifle project of your own. But to get started, all you need is a set of models to crack open, snip off, and glue together. Once you’re done with this, you can start painting them and even put together your own playing team. It’s not just a one step hobby you can then display in a cabinet – there’s a lot of nuance to explore.

Gardening and Landscaping

Gardening is a totally free hobby to pick up if you’ve already got a garden. You can take cuttings from bushes, trees, and plants that you see out and about and then try to cultivate the same greenery in your own garden. Indeed, it’s a great way to blow off steam as well as get your hands dirty, which is something a screen just won’t allow! But if you prefer cutting back in the garden, you can try out landscaping instead, which will help you to design the outdoor space you’ve always wanted to relax in.

Bake Your Own Bread

Baking is one of the best hands-on hobbies out there. Why? Because you get to eat something when you’re finished. And baking bread is quite the artform, so you’ll need to really brush up on your skills here. Plus, a freshly baked loaf every morning is always something to look forward to – it’s just the cleaning that’s annoying!

If you’re always online, it’s time to break the habit! Get out and remind yourself there are other things to enjoy.

Culture and Lifestyle

Not Prioritizing Yourself Enough? Here’s How You Can Change It!

Published

2 years ago

May 13, 2022

Andra Tudor

In today’s society, there’s this push to promote self-care. While society five or maybe ten years ago would see the term “self-care” as something selfish, fortunately now, mental health has become a larger concern. While toxic positivity is being pushed out, and the whole “put yourself first” mantra is slowly beginning to reign supreme, there’s one question to ask. How exactly can one put themselves first? Also, how can these self-care changes even boost your well-being? These are some helpful ways to achieve that!

Understand Your Life Goals, Values, and Purpose

When it comes to putting yourself first, it’s important to begin by thinking of your life goals, your values, and what type of purpose you want in your life. While society once deemed people as “selfish” for even considering this, it’s your life, and you’re entitled to live your life the way you want it. Is one of your life goals to travel? Then that’s great! Keep aiming for it!

Identify Your Wants and Needs

Everyone has their own wants and needs, everyone does. What are yours? While it’s important to put other people’s wants and needs in front of your own (such as if you’re a parent), just keep in mind that you don’t have to do this all the time. So think about it, what are some small ways you can put your own wants and needs ahead without it jeopardizing anyone else. Maybe it can be something small such as getting more sleep, or maybe even something huge such as changing careers. It’s entirely up to you to decide.

Take Time to Get Your Headspace Right

A great way to get yourself into the right headspace is through the beauty of travel. This is actually one of the biggest ways that people are treating themselves and putting themselves first. Changing up your environment and your routine through the power of travel can be one of the very best ways to get yourself feeling recharged and just completely breaking away from what may be stressing you out. Whether you opt into a long vacation, weekend trip, or a day trip, just allow yourself the chance to breathe, take a break, and recharge.

Treat Yourself

There’s nothing wrong at all with treating yourself to things. Whether you’re wanting to gift yourself a nice car you shopped with through edmunds, a fun vacation, or anything else. There isn’t anything wrong with gifting things to yourself as long as you have the disposable income to do it and if it’s in moderation.

Opt-Out of Social Media That’s Not Good for You

Social media is a double-edged sword. It can be a great tool for connecting with people and staying in touch with friends and an extension of our personal brand. However, many people are finding that social media is not the best tool for their mental health and well-being. If possible, try to opt-out of social media if you feel it’s not good for you. And instead, try to spend more time in nature or offline activities like hanging out with family and friends.