Religion is a part of human culture. It is a way of life based on a particular understanding of the world. In the beginning, religion aimed to guide human beings toward goodness. However, very often religion has caused more harm than good to humanity.
Religious extremism makes people aggressive. The belief that “my religion” or “my faith” is superior to others leads people into conflict. As a result, human society becomes deeply divided. Instead of being a source of richness, religious diversity often turns into a cause of violence and hostility.
Today, the idea that life would be more peaceful without religion is becoming widespread. Scandinavian countries are often cited as examples. Most people there are not religious in the traditional sense, yet they rank high in peace, social security, and happiness. This raises an important question: is religion really necessary for a moral and humane life?
Even in the time of Jesus, religion had become a burden on people. Jesus was fully aware of the harmful effects of religion in his society. He strongly opposed the rigid and legalistic religion of the Pharisees. He taught that laws exist for human beings, not human beings for laws. Jesus clearly saw that religion often stood in the way of seeing another person as a fellow human being.
Therefore, Jesus did not invite people to a new religion, but to a life beyond religion. He called this life the “Kingdom of God.” It is a way of life ruled by God, where all people live as brothers and sisters. Religious beliefs do not divide them. Love, compassion, and justice are the foundation of this life.
However, after the time of Jesus, a new religion was formed in his name. Over time, it became an institution with rules and power structures. Like other religions, it too inherited many of the same problems that Jesus had opposed. The religious extremism he criticized later grew in his own name.
Even today, Jesus’ call remains the same. He invites humanity to a life beyond religion—a way of living that sees every person as human first. It is a call to love, brotherhood, and shared humanity. It is not an invitation to a religion, but an invitation to truly be human.
No comments:
Post a Comment