Does Religion Empower Mankind?

Using god as a tool for political power, was religion’s dirty little secret, which has lost its covert quality by now. Most of us who pray, want God to make us more affluent, successful, and influential. However the fundamental premise of religion was to achieve liberation from these very worldly pleasures. Yet this elementary premise along with compassion, selflessness, forgiveness has been violated over the ages and we have seen new theories floating around, which change the original essence of most of the religions. Every religion was institutionalized to bring fairness in society. However, every religion that exists today has failed to bring cheer to the lower strata of society, who believe and worship the faith the most. More so in many cases, religion has persecuted them without them realizing it.

When you see politicians and famous personalities making a trip to the nearest temple/mosque/church to pray in full media glare, for their continued success, you do feel that it is the most effective advertisement of religion and god. Even Sarah Palin asked God to back her run for office in Alaska. All this footage, gives hope to the millions of people struggling in their everyday life for a better tomorrow. This reinforces their belief, that religion and god does show the true path towards prosperity. The element of fear that abandoning the faith will invite the wrath of God keeps them committed to their religion.

Religion also meant empowerment of a different kind - personal empowerment. Here too religion has had a very dubious record, and has failed to achieve any meaningful results. This makes you wonder if religion has been able to achieve anything positive at all.

However there is a new awakening in the spiritual space outside the realm of organized religion which provides hope for the younger generation.

This quest of mankind to connect with god through the medium of religion is being challenged by the younger generation. The need to connect with oneself is gaining ground and their lies the true emancipation of mankind.