by Bob Trowbridge

Created on: May 30, 2009

Religions exist because we have always felt a need to explain our own existence. From the most primitive of peoples to the most sophisticated, there seems to be a feeling that there is something more than the self we know. There seems to be some power that is greater than us with our physical limitations.

Religion & Ideals

Religion not only suggests that there is a power or powers greater than we. It also suggests that we have a potential that is far greater than what we currently experience. Religious figures do not simply leave teachings behind that help us to live more moral lives. They also are themselves examples of what is possible for us.

For every person there is some sense of an ideal potential that we can strive for. Religion teaches us the qualities of this ideal self. It gives us guidelines and help when we behave in less than ideal ways.

Buddha is the ideal in Buddhism, Christ is the ideal in Christianity, and Mohammed is the ideal in Islam. Jews might choose Moses, David, or one of the profits as their ideal. All religions have some highest human expression of their divinity to emulate.

In Buddhism the student is told, If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him. This is because the student should not focus on the Buddha but should focus on the teachings of the Buddha. The goal is not to worship the Buddha but to become the Buddha.

It is the same in Christianity. We are not to worship the Christ but to become the Christ. One of the most revolutionary statements in the New Testament refers to the fact that we will be able to do the things the Christ did and even greater things. This is challenging and humbling at the same time.

Explaining Life

Early humans experienced all life as being alive, spirit-filled. Plants, animals, and even inanimate objects like rocks and mountains were alive with spirit. In order to survive physical life, people had a religious structure that helped them to understand how nature worked. Their life depended upon finding food through hunting and gathering and later through agriculture.

It was understood that surviving in a sometimes hostile environment required some kind of relationship with the creator of this environment. It also required a respectful relationship with the environment itself and the life that made up this environment.

Religion created a framework within which humans could make sense of their experiences. It gave them some sense of control over their environment. It helped them to feel some sense of power in a life that often made them feel powerless. If there was a creator, then there was some kind of plan. Life was not accidental and haphazard. One could propitiate the gods and gain their blessing.

Modern Religion

In some ways religion has not changed much from primitive times. We still see religion as a means of giving meaning to life. We still see it as a way to feel that we have some control over our lives. Through prayer we seek a connection with the divine. We seek moral guidance in the hope of having a better life, one with less strife and more peace.

Religion gives us promises and we continually seek to see those promises fulfilled. Jesus told us not to worry. All of our needs would be met. It is in times of crisis that people tend to flock to the churches, temples, and synagogues. This has not changed.

Life is still filled with uncertainty even though we do not have to face wild animals on a daily basis. Life is still a challenge, no matter how different from our ancestors. Religion still brings us solace and still assures us that there is a greater power and this power is concerned with our well-being. We can ask for little more than this.

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