Effects of Religion

The Effects of Religion

India has been in contact with all different ethnic backgrounds, and is said to be nation that will go prosperous. Religion is an overview of how life was created, how it will end, and how it shall be driven. Religion for most is the way of life, a "will" to carry on. Created to form love and respect between one another and Earth it has equally separated the world and caused a lot of unnecessary harm. In India majority of the countrymen follow the practice of Hinduism with an eighty-two percent.

Hinduism is religion so diverse that the religion cannot be traced to a founder nor does it have a "holy book". Differing from most religions because Hinduism does not worship one deity ("India's Religion and Philosophy" 2). Many of the religions in India are monotheism or the worship of one god. Such as: Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism, Christianity, and Jainism. Islam was introduced to India by invaders in the twelfth century, sixth century, and seventh century. Exempt Hinduism, Islam is followed by many. Spreading peace and love is the basic teachings of Islam, it also teaches to show respect to one god- Allah ("India's Religion and Philosophy" 5). Buddhism as with other religions had a jump start from Hinduism. It revolves around the teachings and philosophy of Gautam Buddha. Buddha advocated the middle path. A teaching that claimed humans should live harmoniously and steer clear from indulgences ("India's Religion and Philosophy" 4). Similar to Buddhism, Sikhism originated from Hinduism but also the teachings of Islam. The founder Guru Nanak was born Hindu, but he opposed the caste system and believed that all men were created equal. With followers of similar beliefs the religion Sikhism was created and the holy book 'Guru Granth Sahib' was created as well in the sixteenth century ("India's Religion and Philosophy" 3). Christianity made its way into India by St. Thomas, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ. Texts of the 'Holy Bible' and the savior Jesus Christ are the foundations of the belief ("India's Religion and Philosophy" 5). As for Jainism, the religion was established at the same time as Buddhism. Similar to Buddhism, Jainism was against the corruption in the interpretation of Hinduism at the time. Jainism faith believes in total abstinence and having a self conquest ("India's Religion and Philosophy" 6).

Religion was brought into the third and second millennia by the Indus Valley Civilization and created the basic foundation of Hinduism. Islam spread across India over the seven hundred years ("The World Factbook" 1). When other religions appeared into India it caused a lot of tension between the vast majority of Hindus and the followers of other religions. Communal Violence led by Gandhi to suggest the separation of two parts of India; India and Pakistan ("The World Factbook" 1). Conflict did not end there; civil war still rages on even today because the countrymen find other religious followers ungrateful and a nuisance. With Hinduism being the most followed religion, followers try to rid the country of others.

India's primary religion has lead to massacres and hate crimes against other cultures and religious acquainted people. The morality rate steadily increases and no government prevention programs are making an effort to stop this. Only few people are arrested, but no leaders of these discriminative groups are. Constant reports are recorded by undercover reporters of hate crimes all around India. Most of the attacks on Christians have been recorded in Gujarat. A state primarily focused towards the Hindu way of life. Christian churches have been burnt down, many women were raped, a few were converted, and many were murdered. Jamuna Bhen told Human Rights Watch, "Hindus removed the ornamentation from our churches...They threatened to set our church house on fire...we said don't do this we will become Hindu... They took us to a Unai hot springs, they took twenty five people and converted us..." ("Other means: Attacks Against Christians..."). Stories like this are unmanageable to come across because the subject is taboo in India and Indian media. Most events are recorded by hidden journalists outside the country such as the Human Rights Watch.

Christians were not the only target, Sikhs and Muslims have been molested as well. Hate propaganda against Sikhs and Muslims spread from groups such as: Vishwa Hindu Parishad or VHP (World Hindu Council), Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or RSS (National Volunteer Corps), Bharatiya Janata Party or BJP (Hindu Activist Political Party), and the Bajrang Dal (Religious Organization) ("Other Means: Attacks Against Christians..."). Proof of religious conflicts also occurred after the assassination of Prime Minister