Orphan

He suddenly woke up from his siesta, a bit bewildered. Not sure whether it was the dream he shuddered to or the blaring of the speakers from the nearby religious centers- a cacophony from the temple, mosque and church.

An orphan, his abode was a tin roof shanty which he got as heritage from his mother, who left him when he was 3 years old. He did not have the privilege of knowing who his father was, since he was too young when he died. Now about fourteen, he was part of the rag pickers gang and grew up without understanding what childhood was. It was a struggle to stay amongst them – fights, abuses and scorn of the society was the norm.

Long unkempt hair, lanky, tattered clothes not washed, stained teeth, agile and with an unassuming smile he emerged a leader of the group.

Though life has been tough on him, time -the great leveler; had planned something else. He happened to meet a family on one of his errands and that was when the path ahead took a new course. The head of the family was a good Samaritan and took him to his fold. He was given a job in his factory and also made sure that the boy took to education. But for noble souls like him the world would have worked towards destruction by now.

The family were believers in God and led a middle class life as per the tenets of the religion. The way they talked, conducted themselves and admired by the society did help the boy change his outlook towards life. He too wanted recognition and respectability in the society. He started wearing clean clothes, though second hand given by the foster family. His conversations mellowed and conduct way different from what he was. He was getting more admiration and acceptability among his old groups. From the money he earned a portion always was spend on his old group either for providing food or medicines. He urged the young kid in the group to take up schooling- though not many takers were there.

He became the family head’s Man Friday and confidante. He was invited to all family functions marking his acceptability as a family member. He was many a times consulted on matters that normally would lie outside his scope – be it family matters or business.

But good times were not eternal. The religious head of the area started asking questions. The businessman was told not to entertain the boy who did not have a religion and didn’t want to accept their religion. Moreover the question of succession was their main concern since the family did not have any offspring. But being a good Samaritan he never yielded to any of these pressures.

For him humanity was above everything. Religion is only for making a person humane- be concerned about other human beings. In reality religion becomes an issue only where money & power is concerned; though they all profess to make people noble. In most of the cases it is only those people who are bothered about this money & power who tries to keep religion a talking point. Saints never are bothered about that and so they try and teach what matters to human beings from the perspective of the religion they practice. But some of them do get drawn into the vicious circle of power and showmanship and get used by the interested motley of the so called protectors of religion.

The trouble started when the boy was asked to join their religion and live in accordance. He hardly knew any religion. All he knew was that there were temples, churches and mosques; but not a must to visit them. The yearly celebrations of the institutions is when all in the area were party to it either as spectator or participant. All enjoyed the pompous moments and fun at that time. The person sitting next to you could be from any religion when enjoying a program on the stage, the fireworks or walking along with the band and tableaus.

The boy asked for time to know more about religions before deciding anything. He discussed the matter with various elderly people of various religions. He still could not get an easy answer. Many interpreted religion according to their knowledge and perception. It varied from fear of God, the ultimate provider, panacea for all difficulty, sanctity of rituals, non-acceptance of any other religion than theirs, to many many other facets. Almost none of these struck a chord with him. According to him whatever was happening to him was nothing but a natural process of living. Circumstances varied from person to person and so their perceptions. Since he was not bought up in a normal family set-up the seed of God or religion was not sown in his mind. It was just survival of the fittest. But time made him understand certain social concepts like, acceptance in a society, power of money, change of mind set based on circumstances, human relationship, etc.

He decided that being a good human being and being helpful to some is more meaningful in life than most other things. He continued the activities he used to do, helping his fellow mates and helping the family that supported him to take care of his business. The security he had and the happiness he earned was enough to keep up his vigor. He decided that religion was not a must.

The so called protectors of various faiths tried their level best to bring him to their fold. He did not give a heed. His acceptance in the society and the chances of the business person’s wealth being passed on to him was causing a concern to the religious people. All sort of pressure was put on the business person. Political activists were roped in to add pressure through governmental agencies. But everything failed.

A mind that has compassion and empathy can be a good human being. When any thought, word or action is based on this fact; it is difficult to commit anything not acceptable to a society. Also a belief or experience that other human beings will be of help to him in circumstances of difficulty helped him not hold on to the clutches of religion. Mostly it is when one does not build bridges with the society/family members and have a selfish mind the need for props of religion is required in life.

Alas not everyone has such level of thinking. The religious leaders roped in his brethren- whom he supported- and filled their mind with suspicion. They felt that it was a sin to have a friendship with such people who did not have a religion and accepting any favor from such a person was also wrong. The regular preaching of the religious leaders helped in slowly creating enmity and hatred. They started disowning him and stopped accepting his help.

Our Hero continued his good work and slowly gained respect and acceptance in the society. This antagonized his old gang and felt that something has to be done. They consulted the religious head. The concept that anyone who doesn’t follow the tenets of religion is an enemy of God, was the message they got.

He was cogitating on the issue and was a bit disturbed. One night he saw an unusual dream wherein he was talking to someone who was answering his questions, but could not see him.

Question: What is religion?

Answer: It is a code of ethics developed by a sect of people for ensuring co-existence between their members. The hope is that they will follow these and for this Fear of God is the tool used.

Question: Why many religion?

Answer: Different sects want their identity to be preserved and also to wield power over the sect.

Question: Is there God?

Answer: The universe is a result of the balance of various powers. These are beyond a commoners understanding and they are at wow with this power. This power is what they mean by God.

Question: So are there many Gods?

Answer: The balance between powers is the same. But each sect calls it by various names depending on the language they use and level of intellect of the sect.

Questio : Is there anti God?

Answer: Note that the powers in the universe are the same. Again it is only the level of intellect that gives the outlook. Some call it God and others anti God. But both are at wow with the same powers. The code of ethics developed change based on the outlook.

Question: Can a person live without religion?

Answer: When one is just a part of the society whether one calls himself religious or not, the rules of the society has to be followed. Otherwise it causes disturbances or damages either to himself or the society. It is like that some who is good driver but will not follow road rules.

Question: So should I embrace a religion? If so which?

Answer: Unfortunately people do not normally choose religion. It happens by birth in a particular one. However some religions allow others to come to their fold. It is up to you to decide depending on whether it helps your co-existence in the society you live. If you are not working against the tenets of any religion in the society you live sometimes religion doesn’t matter. So it is your wish and beliefs based on your experience and intellect.

The next day he decided that he would like to find out which society will be more acceptable to him rather than choose any religion based on the place and people amongst whom he lived. He bid good-bye to his Godfather and started a trip. He wanted to see the world and interact with people in various parts of the world. Exploring oneself vis-a-vis the world.

Thus the orphan started a never ending journey. A journey where materialistic need didn’t decide the branding of a person; where one was trying to be in harmony with nature; living by the ticking of time neither in past nor in future. And he felt it was bliss.