Is There Truth in Religions? ( 13 dec 06 wed)

The question is: Is there not truth in religions, in theories, in ideals, inbeliefs? Let us examine. What do we mean by religion? Surely, not organizedreligion, not Hinduism, Buddhism, or Christianity - which are all organized beliefswith their propaganda, conversion, proselytism, compulsion, and so on. Is there anytruth in organized religion? It may engulf, enmesh truth, but the organized religionitself is not true. Therefore, organized religion is false, it separates man fromman. You are a Muslim, I am a Hindu, another is a Christian or a Buddhist - and weare wrangling, butchering each other. Is there any truth in that? We are notdiscussing religion as the pursuit of truth, but we are considering if there is anytruth in organized religion. We are so conditioned by organized religion to thinkthere is truth in it that we have come to believe that by calling oneself a Hindu,one is somebody, or one will find God. How absurd, sir; to find God, to findreality, there m ust be virtue. Virtue is freedom, and only through freedom can truth be discovered- not when you are caught in the hands of organized religion, with its beliefs. Andis there any truth in theories, in ideals, in beliefs? Why do you have beliefs?Obviously, because beliefs give you security, comfort, safety, a guide. In yourselfyou are frightened, you want to be protected, you want to lean on somebody, andtherefore, you create the ideal, which prevents you from understanding that whichis. Therefore, an ideal becomes a hindrance to action.