Religion, or a belief system, is a very important part of many people’s lives,
and there is no question that those who practice religion in order to gain liberation, to create harmony, and be of benefit to others are truly fulfilling the purpose of religion. In my opinion, a religious belief system is personal and is meant to bring temporal freedom from the stresses of life and also to protect us from the ill-effects of poisonous emotions, such as anger, jealousy, pride, attachment, and ignorance. The ultimate purpose is to attain total freedom by following the wise advice of the awakened ones. However, if religious beliefs are used to acquire power, wealth, or fame, then one’s practice of religion has not served its true purpose. Likewise, if one’s religious practice becomes a source of suffering or harm to humanity, then one is not being a truly religious person. Instead, it is wise to try to be a good human being, cultivating a heart filled with love and compassion.
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