Are Religions True or False?

Since ancient times, religions have marked their footsteps on our societies. Nowadays, many of the most fascinating ideas we hear or read about originate in some ways or another from the marvellous teachings of religions. In our time where the field of science study impacts heavily on our lifestyles, religions gradually begin to lose their credibility as skeptics try to verify the consistencies of their teachings.

As modern technology advances, people's reliance and beliefs on them grew tremendously, so much so that they no longer see the values of religious teachings, and feel that religions are nothing more than mere motivations and consolations one seeks to tide himself through hard times.

Thus the line is drawn, between believers and free thinkers. But even religions themselves do not stand on the same point of view. Each and every one of them, seems to convey teachings of a different nature that sometimes conflict with one another, arising to arguments and disputes and even wars which cost the lives of millions throughout history as followers try to follow or prove their individual religions' validity and absolution of rule.

How sad is such a case when religions in the first place are meant for the good of Man? But because of Man's stubborn ego and arrogance, even religions are changed, and the very heart of their teachings is ever fading with time. In other words, a single religion can be perceived differently by followers simply because of the different point of views.

Of all these differences between points of views and conflicting teachings, I realize one simple truth- The choice of one's religion reflects a person's nature of his mind, or in simpler terms, the way he sees things.

Note that the religion meant here is not limited to founded religions with a specific doctrine or founder e.g. Buddhism, Christanity or Taosim etc, but rather the philosophies or beliefs a person honors and follows in life. With this concept, money, status and selfishness are also religions in nature, as long as one sees them as the main source and motive that define their purpose in life, not necessarily the common religions many perceive to be.

Some of my friends who are free thinkers would sometimes question if there really is a God? Or is there life after death? Or which religion is speaking the truth? Whenever discussions of these issues began, arguments often follow in an endless loop.
Instead of asking which one is the right religion, it would be wiser to question which teachings are beneficial and true to the original principle that the Founder himself meant to convey, or which teachings are the true words of the Founder. Of most widespread religions in the world, despite the contrasts between them, they all convey two common major factors- Compassion and Wisdom. These two values pave the very foundation of all pure religions.

As most religions are passed down through the ages, much of their original contents have been modified and changed by various schools of followers. One began to branch into two, two into four, and so on.

With this fact in mind, imagine the misconception that would incur on millions of people if their knowledge of a particular religion and its teachings are taught by a preacher who in the first place have interpreted the teachings wrongly. Due to his mistaken interpretation, his listeners and followers of the same faith began to stray even further from the original meaning of the teachings.

This is similar to the analogy of someone intending to show his friend what stars are by pointing at the stars in the sky, but his friend who is looking at his index finger mistakes his finger as the stars. In turn, he goes around to spread word that the index finger is the stars. In reality, the stars refer to the heart of religious teachings, while the finger refers to the erroneous understanding and concepts people have developed for religions.

Thus, if one wants to understand the right path, he should study religions with wisdom and humility. Polishing one's intelligence is important, but it is one's wisdom of handling situations and speech, that touches people and brings people to contentment, understanding and bliss. Not how well one scores in his studies, or how one excels in his career.

But if one were to truly study and grasp the meaning of the core teachings of religions, one can indeed rejoice in the fruits from such understanding. Like science studies educating people on the logic of the universe's workings, religions are aimed to guide people to happiness. Though one may argue that religions tend to include places, theories of afterlife, beings or spirits that clash with the field of science study, these are issues we should not be too indulged in. Rather, it is the most basics one should try to master e.g. compassion, self improvement and wisdom in living. One can spend his lifetime memorizing the entire bible but still doesn't feel and see it's true meaning. In contrary, if one can truly understanding the deep meaning of a single teaching, he would have attained the true heart of the religion.

History has proven through wars and suffering that humans' stubborn ego, hatred and discrimination of one another are the biggest enemies in life. So finally, are religions real or false? To answer this, look deep into your self and ask- What is your own religion, your beliefs in life? Is it money? Is it sensual enjoyment? Is it self accomplishment etc...? How real or false are they?