What is Religion?

Srimati Karuna
Speaks on "What is Religion?"
Sunday, October 29, 2017 at 11:00am

As human beings we are blessed to able to bring to mind the most sublime ideals and lofty inspirations. We can draw such thoughts from the beauty that surrounds us as well as from the infinite source of peace within us. But there are times when we reflect on human history and begin to wonder where has humanity gone wrong. We wonder how could the very practice of worship become a source of conflict? 

We understand the benefit of many paths, the variety of traditions and the diversity of scriptures. And yet we often fail to see the unity amidst the diversity. Gandhi said there are as many religions as there are humans on this earth. And yet, we face the continual challenge that religion seems so often to be used as a force to divide communities. Some even wish to remain agnostic in the face of formalized "institutions" of religion. In the world that exists today, what does religion mean to us?