Religion—The Psycho-philosophy of Human Identity

Religion has become the prime identity of whole human civilization in this globe. May it be an individual or national identity? It is a faith by birth. It is process of making a human being religious. Only after birth a human being is gone through performance of rituals which is very much confined with his/her faith by birth.

The word religion comes from a Latin word that means "to tie or bind together." Modern dictionaries define religion as "an organized system of beliefs and rituals centering on a supernatural being or beings." 'To belong to a religion often means more than sharing its beliefs and participating in its rituals; it also means being part of a community and, sometimes, a culture.' Freud (1928/1961) referred to "religion as a universal obsessional neurosis" and "a mere illusion, derived from human wishes," we see in 'all religions include rituals, scriptures, and sacred days and gathering places.'It offers worldviews, social norms, relationships, and experiences recognized to influence the formation and contouring of a young person's self-concept, the unique role of religion and spirituality have generally been overlooked as either a helpful or hindering source of identity formation.' Identity of an individual determines self and a sense of commitment for individual well-being as well as the good of society.

But it is a barrier of divisions among human species throughout the globe. It separates the geographic location also. This is a Christian country because people live here by faith Christian. That is an Islamic country because people there believe on Islam. Thus, we are segregated, and our behaviour is shaped accordingly. It is significant to dominate and exploit with each other because everybody thinks his/her faith is the best. It causes violence and intolerance against other. Religion might be a tool of world power politics. Historically, it has been causing pain to the humanity.

Is religion, not a philosophy? According to the faith, it might be treated as philosophy,i.e. Hindu philosophy, Islamic philosophy and Christian philosophy, etc. It sets with a frame of different rituals and believers only perform it for their own inner satisfaction. But when it uses as religion, it creates an environment of a superior and inferior in mind. Therefore, it exposes and plays in the psyche to hate and hurt other groups. As philosophy, it might yield an environment of living together. But India is a secular where there should not be any division according to their faith. It notes that people live here with their own philosophy. But when it rises as religious identity it makes the disharmony and communal conflict. That is absolutely for political purpose. Divisions among humanity in terms of religion are the negative impact of our faith. It is causing danger in the humanity. Everybody should be more conscious about the using of the religion as an identity. It should be limited within a philosophy of faith and practice. Then, the whole world might avoid religious conflict. The world might be a space of peaceful living.

[contributed]

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Frontier
Vol. 52, No. 4, Jul 28 -Aug 3, 2019