Scriptures, religions and synthesis

Q: What is the origin of the Scriptures?

A: The Scriptures as well as religions have their origin in men’s moral
experiences. The prophets and the sages spoke in the name of god.
The rationale was to come by faith; profit by deeds.

Q: Why are the Scriptures so full of allegories?

A: The people were illiterate, simple and superstitious. Abstract
thinking was a rare quality. So, those ancient wise men who could not
share all of their wisdom with the people of their times tried to
communicate with posterity through holy books. And their recitation
and other rituals were mandated for the preservation of these books.
These books survived through oral transmission before printing was
invented. The fables and allegories were the only forms available for
oral transmission.

Q: Are the Scriptures still relevant?

A: Oh yes. Whatever the condition of one’s faith, good deeds are
essential for a peaceful individual and a noble society. And the
Scriptures inspire the noble and the good in us.

Q: Does God need our prayers?

A: No, all Scriptures are very emphatic on this point. We need the
prayers to purify our souls.

Q: What is common among all the religions?

A: A benevolent God; an inherent moral law guiding the phenomenon of
life; humans occupying the top position in the Universe.

Q: What is the basic difference among various religions?

A: The basic differences lie in the dogmas about our origin before
and the destination after this present life. Methods of worship
(language, direction and implements etc.) are different too.

Q: What is the main weakness of these religions?

A: Almost all the religions take a negative view of life; therefore the
misplaced emphasis on renunciation which goes against the mindset of
the people.

Q: Why did the ancient wise men take a negative view of life?
A: Human life was full of misery. Man was at the mercy of the
elements. Human failings, too, were numerous - jealousy, greed and
lies. Mere survival was an ordeal. The earth was, then, a prison for
Adam & sons.

Indian philosophy, although it recognized the transmigration of souls,

failed to see the inherent scheme of evolution. As it was yet another
period of Kaliyuga, the society had to decline and destroy.

Since both these eastern and western schools of thought had

established relationship with god through enlightenment and
revelation, they just could not turn about to contemplate our origin in
animals. They were ignorant about the biological evolution of life.
Therefore they had a narrow, painful view of life without much hope
or scope for improvement.

Q: How can a synthesis be attempted?

A: By replacing god by nature in our imagination and perception. All
the attributes of an abstract god fit concrete nature. Nature is
omnipotent, benevolent and whatnot.
On the concrete plane imaginations do not run wild; dogmas
(incarnation, realization of god etc.) do not survive. Differences among
various faiths disappear in the true perspective.
When revelations neither tally with each other nor correspond with
scientific evidence, it is only natural that one must go beyond the
words of god into the work of god - the silent nature. Even the
prophets and sages acquired their knowledge and wisdom by studying
it.

Q: How does this synthesis explain the origin and destination of the
soul and its accountability?
A: Origin - No descent from heaven, rather ascent through evolution.
Destination - Transmigration of souls then promotion to a higher
world, inhabited by the wizened souls, without body or mate, traveling,
may be, with the speed of imagination. In simpler terms the adventure
of souls appears to be a continuous process in the universe. Otherwise
there wasn’t any need for eternal time and limitless space.
Accountability - There is a unique arrangement for accountability in
nature. Good persons are punished soon, rewarded late. On the other
hand bad persons are rewarded soon, punished late. What comes late
comes in full.

Q: What does this synthesis propose to change?

A: Our perspective that we are our own masters.

Q: What is the purpose of life?

A: In the long shot, each human being is a link in the grand relay race
of life. In close up, we find that each one of us is born with a few
things very personal such as the thumbprint, the personal dream and
one special talent. So, we ought to dream, work hard on our talent and
enjoy the fulfillment of our dream. The purpose is self-actualization,
before salvation.

Q: Why did the Scriptures fail to transform their followers?

A: The Scriptures were prescriptions for orderly, harmonious
societies. But, after the initial fervor, mere recitation became more
important than the actual practice of the precepts (the name alone is
enough in Kaliyuga).

Q: Is this synthesis the final interpretation?

A: Knowledge, analysis and synthesis are continuous processes. The
synthesis of different viewpoints, in the larger interest of mankind
has been the job of mysticism through great individuals. Whatever
they said or did; their motive was not suspect. Even the concept of a
last prophet and final interpretation was a ploy to safeguard the new
faith from imitators and imposters. Still, it was un-natural, hence, it
didn’t work advantageously for the faith. It bred fundamentalism and
obscurantism.