Why Are There So Many Religions?
Many people do not care again about religions. For them, obedience to state laws and commitment to trust and integrity is enough. However, many others are still faithfull to their respective religions. But they often ask: Why are there so many religions in the world? Why have there been many conflicts among devoters? Could they live peacefully together?
Catption: Fr. Benny Susetyo, Indonesian Catholic Priest
It is not very easy to answer the question. We may approach the question through several steps. In-depth studies could be done on why there are so many religions in the world and on what were the root origins of each religion. To make it simple, we may start from the following state of mind: Human kinds are free creatures with conscience and logical thoughts. They are questioning about many things: why this world is there, where it came from, when it started to exist, why humans are suffering and come to death. They ask also if there is any way to truly achieve happiness, and many other questions. Some questions might be answered readily, but still there are still questions unanswered. Simple questions such as "why are there often accidents on the cross roads?" could be answered in different ways. Modern people might say, cross roads are the meeting points of riders from all directions; if the traffic lights do not function well and the riders do not obey the traffic signs, accidents could easily happen. But, for those who are not modern enough, another answer could be "it's kinda disturbed by invisible spirits." They might have to prepare offerings and rituals on the sites with frequent accidents. The pattern of thoughts might be reconstructed as follows: those who could not answer the questions might project the problem above, where human minds could not conceive the idea yet. They would say it's all about supra natural power, it's about "The Heavenly Deeds". The keyword is "heavenly". To control "the heavenly deeds" they go into rituals (prayers, offerings, etc.)
Caption: Fr. Benny Susetyo, speaking in front of Inter Religions Women's Workshop
So, visually, religions could consist of relationship between human kinds and those above human kinds. What is above human kinds could be tremendous or fearing and fascinating as well. So far, what is explained as above humans could still be considered as "human projection". A different approach comes from enlighted religions. "The Above Human" might sometime reveal itself in the history mankind. The enlightment and revelation, to say it simply, came to the founders of religions. It is common that the revelation consists of ideas on "The Divine", His will, and the meaning of mankind's life as well as mankind's salvation, moral rules, etc. The idea of enlightment and revelation is heavily subject to human interferences, such as history, geography, psychology, languages, etc.
Caption: Fr. Benny Susetyo showing religion's care for environment
Human kinds respond this revelation by their faith. Due to the contents and meanings of the revelation and enlightment, the ways to respond are numerous. The various ways to respond the revelation by faith are followed by the institutional constructs, which we call religions. (Source: The Catholic Way, Mgr. Ignatius Suharyo, Archbishop of Jakarta, Indonesia).
Visit my blog: Solid Wise Solution
Catption: Fr. Benny Susetyo, Indonesian Catholic Priest
It is not very easy to answer the question. We may approach the question through several steps. In-depth studies could be done on why there are so many religions in the world and on what were the root origins of each religion. To make it simple, we may start from the following state of mind: Human kinds are free creatures with conscience and logical thoughts. They are questioning about many things: why this world is there, where it came from, when it started to exist, why humans are suffering and come to death. They ask also if there is any way to truly achieve happiness, and many other questions. Some questions might be answered readily, but still there are still questions unanswered. Simple questions such as "why are there often accidents on the cross roads?" could be answered in different ways. Modern people might say, cross roads are the meeting points of riders from all directions; if the traffic lights do not function well and the riders do not obey the traffic signs, accidents could easily happen. But, for those who are not modern enough, another answer could be "it's kinda disturbed by invisible spirits." They might have to prepare offerings and rituals on the sites with frequent accidents. The pattern of thoughts might be reconstructed as follows: those who could not answer the questions might project the problem above, where human minds could not conceive the idea yet. They would say it's all about supra natural power, it's about "The Heavenly Deeds". The keyword is "heavenly". To control "the heavenly deeds" they go into rituals (prayers, offerings, etc.)
Caption: Fr. Benny Susetyo, speaking in front of Inter Religions Women's Workshop
So, visually, religions could consist of relationship between human kinds and those above human kinds. What is above human kinds could be tremendous or fearing and fascinating as well. So far, what is explained as above humans could still be considered as "human projection". A different approach comes from enlighted religions. "The Above Human" might sometime reveal itself in the history mankind. The enlightment and revelation, to say it simply, came to the founders of religions. It is common that the revelation consists of ideas on "The Divine", His will, and the meaning of mankind's life as well as mankind's salvation, moral rules, etc. The idea of enlightment and revelation is heavily subject to human interferences, such as history, geography, psychology, languages, etc.
Caption: Fr. Benny Susetyo showing religion's care for environment
Human kinds respond this revelation by their faith. Due to the contents and meanings of the revelation and enlightment, the ways to respond are numerous. The various ways to respond the revelation by faith are followed by the institutional constructs, which we call religions. (Source: The Catholic Way, Mgr. Ignatius Suharyo, Archbishop of Jakarta, Indonesia).
Visit my blog: Solid Wise Solution
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