RELIGION- Belief or Misbelief?

The announcement on the speaker came out. A dull husky female voice said...

“It is safe to use all portable electronic items. However, cell phones are not permitted to be used in this aircraft”

I turned on my IPOD and let the music take over my mind.

“The journey home…Is never too long…Your heart arrives before the train….” sung Akaash from Bombay Dreams. The situation was pretty appropriate, and I had a lot to smile about. I was visiting West Virginia for the very first time in 8 months after I had relocated to Texas. It was indeed a special feeling! In some ways, I would consider West Virginia my 2nd home. :)

And fittingly to spoil my party, the battery in my IPOD died.

“Damn it!!” I howled within myself.

Furiously, I opened my laptop. I turned on the highlights of the ODI between India and Bangladesh. I was perplexed by some of the weirdest shots in cricket, courtesy Mr.M.S.Dhoni. I never gave a damn about the person sitting next to me, but was rather irritated when he kept staring at the screen of my laptop. 40 more mins…and my laptop also died. Two more hours and I was forced to keep staring at the clouds outside the window! I felt frustrated. The only thing I really enjoy about flying is the momentary spurts of turbulence. I simply love the feeling when the flight sorta jolts up and down.

Just when I though I would close my eyes to take a nap, this Afro-American dude seated next to me started a conversation. He somewhat carried an 80’s look which seemed pretty weird.

“So, you from Mexico?”

“OH NO!! Not again!”

I really thought I needed to get rid of my goatee. Quite a few ppl claimed that it induced the Mexican look in me.

“No Sir…am from India. Live in Houston these days” I sternly replied.

I was in no mood for a conversation. Just wanted to get this introduction done before I could rest. But this guy had different plans.

“Oh India….I have been there before. I have been to South India. I love the people”

This certainly stirred me up. After having a short talk about his experiences in India, I was curious on what was his purpose of being in India. He certainly didn’t seem to be a businessman.

“So…if you don’t mind…can I know what you were doing in India?”

“We went on a missionary service trip. Even right now I’m returning back home after doing mission service in El Salvador”.

WOW…I thought. Even though I try to dedicate some time towards the development of my nation and help the needy, I’m keener on strengthening my career and earning money. And when I meet such individuals who are committed towards the welfare of mankind, I sure do feel guilty.

“Oh yea…even I have a friend in West Virginia who wants to do missionary service in Africa someday” I replied.

From a conversation that started as a formal introduction, it slowly drifted into becoming a religious proclamation. I do believe in religion, but I never have and would take sides with a particular religion. I see it as a tool/path in imparting discipline and regimenting a person’s life. And, if people are gonna use it as the basis/guideline in formulating the greater choices of their lives…I would call that utter stupidity. Plus, people who talk big about their religion are the ones who expose two-facedness. Let me quote 2 examples of double standards in Hinduism.

1.) People worship cows as ‘Lord Kamadhenu’. And every year in South India, we celebrate ‘Maatu Pongal’ in order to pay respect to the cows. And, the very next day, the same people go to the restaurant and have ‘Beef Roast’ for dinner. LOL! So….does that mean that cows are no longer holy?? Ballz!

2.) Brahmins are usually raised vegetarian. But, some of them want to taste the delicacies beyond the greenery (its human desire and I totally acknowledge the fact.). However, some of them decide to turn vegetarian just on auspicious days according to the Hindu calendar. They spurt out saying “I’m abstaining from eating meat to respect god today.” So…does this mean that they don’t respect god on other days?? Crazy!!!

These were 2 examples of hypocrisy of ppl in the Hindu religion. There are people in other religions that do the same, but I’ll confine this writeup to Hinduism alone. So getting back to this dude in the flight, I was convinced he was a weirdo with one hr. still to fly. He was a good man…but seemed screwed up in his head. The description of his personal experiences gave me 2 options to select:

(i) He was high due to excess cough syrup/marijuana
(ii) He was really insane

After managing to stay up with most of his BS, I was finally beginning to yawn!!

So suddenly he says:

“Son I wanna tell u something!”

The Sir just degraded to SON now! And I am like…OK…wat now!!

“I am separated from my wife”.

I just confirmed that he is a maniac.

“Ok…now why did u tell me that?”

“I could see from ur face that ur a good soul”

K…that does it….he is more than a maniac!!

“Do u believe in Jesus Christ”

“I don’t believe in Jesus Christ…but I believe in God”

“Do u believe in the death of Jesus Christ?”

“From what I have read…yes I do!”

The last thing I would want do here is to talk abt Mary Magdalene, Templar knights and all of that..

“Do u believe he is the son of god?”

“I don’t believe he is a son of god…but I do believe he is God”

“No he is not god…he is just a son of god!”

He sure was getting on my nerves. So I decided it was time to backlash

“Ok…good…so tell me this…if he is the son of god, then why do u worship Christ? Why don’t u worship whomever u believe is god?”

For which I don’t get an answer! He still doesn’t wanna stop…looked like he was digging his own grave.

“Do u believe you can reach god”

“Sure I can”

“You can reach god only through Christ and he himself said that”

This statement really aroused the devil inside me. With raised eyebrows and the first arrogant/evil look of the day…

“So…does that mean that the people who worship other religions and dedicate themselves entirely to god are fools?”

I was convinced that he was shitting bricks in his pants. He didn’t look too happy after I had said this.

“I’m not a person who believes in life after death. But, do u really think that you can reach god just because of that fact that you believe in a particular religion and worship ur god? And if at all I believe in life after death….I believe in this….life is all about your actions. And ur deeds are the ones that determine ur Karma. So, it is not whether ur a Christian, Muslim or a Hindu….its about what you do and how you think”

And that pretty much said it all. He didn’t open his mouth. He said he wanted to pray with me before I left. I didn’t refuse. The flight descended as he took my hand and prayed the usual way he does. I bid goodbye as he picked his belongings. I was certain that I had made a point for him to think about. Well, some of us have to treat people as ‘PEOPLE’, instead of classifying them as Christians, Muslims, Hindus etc...I did not mean to offend any of the Christians in the post, but just wanted to convey a general message that I have been yearning to do for a long time. I respect Christ and the Bible as much as what u guys do…