For centuries, India has been considered a land of religion, faith, and spirituality. Here, religion has not been limited to worship or rituals, but has been a guiding force in every aspect of life. Faith has provided strength to individuals in difficult situations, keeping them connected to morality and humanity. However, with changing times, it is becoming clear that the very nature of faith is gradually becoming distorted. Religion, once a means of spiritual peace, is in many places becoming a tool of fear, superstition, and commerce.
Today’s reality is that a large part of religious traditions has deviated from their original purpose. Rituals that were meant to provide spiritual balance to humans have now become associated with financial transactions and ostentation. Pilgrimage sites, once centers of penance, sacrifice, and meditation, have often become mere commercial activities. The financial situation of the devotee is increasingly prioritized over his or her feelings.
The foundation of faith is belief—in God, in life, and in oneself. This belief stems not from fear or greed, but from inner satisfaction. When faith becomes based on fear, it degenerates into hypocrisy. Unfortunately, many religious activities today are driven by this fear. People are led to believe that if they do not follow a particular tradition or donate a certain amount, disaster will occur. Thus, religion, which once provided reassurance, is now becoming a source of fear.
Traditions are the hallmark of any society. They evolve through experience and knowledge passed down from generation to generation. However, traditions are only useful as long as they are in keeping with the times, wisdom, and humanity. Accepting traditions as set in stone hinders social progress. Today, there is a need to reconsider traditions—to understand their purpose and their relevance in the present.
Service has been an important aspect of religion. Service means selflessly helping others. However, when a price is attached to that service, its nature changes. Charity is only considered charitable when it is given voluntarily. When it is given out of pressure, fear, or social prestige, it loses its sanctity. Unfortunately, in many places, charity is being levied as a compulsory fee today.
This situation affects ordinary and emotional people the most. In times of grief, sorrow, or crisis, a person is mentally vulnerable. Exploiting their faith during such times is not only immoral but also inhumane. The purpose of religion is to protect humanity from breakdown, not to burden it further.
The greatest danger of hypocrisy is that it gradually breeds distrust of religion. When people are repeatedly deceived and their emotions exploited, they either turn away from religion or begin to view every tradition with suspicion. This situation is detrimental to society, as a healthy form of religion plays a vital role in maintaining social balance.
In today’s educated and aware society, it is expected that individuals should test everything through logic and reason. Faith and reason are not in conflict. True faith is that which is in harmony with reason. If a tradition goes against humanity, morality, and compassion, changing it should be considered a righteous step.
The role of religious institutions and those involved in religion is also crucial. They must understand that their responsibility extends beyond simply performing rituals, but also guiding society in the right direction. If religious leadership itself is driven by greed and self-interest, it is futile to expect morality from the public. The need of the hour is to transform religion into a medium of service, not a business.
Society’s responsibility is no less. Hypocrisy will never end until people become self-aware. Asking questions isn’t wrong. Understanding and reflecting on the purpose of every tradition is a sign of intellectual maturity. Blindly accepting everything is neither faith nor religion.
The role of the media and educational institutions is also crucial in this context. A balanced, rational, and sensitive discussion of religious issues will increase social awareness. The purpose of education is not just employment, but also the creation of rational citizens—citizens who can distinguish between faith and superstition.
Today, we need to strive to return religion to its original form. A religion that offers peace, not fear; one that protects, not exploits; and one that preaches unity, not division. Faith must be transformed into a strength of the soul, not a means to self-interest.
Ultimately, it’s clear that the future of religion depends more on our thinking than on traditions. If we base our faith on conscience, compassion, and self-respect, hypocrisy will begin to disappear. True religion is one that transforms humans into better human beings. This is the greatest need and the greatest religion in today’s times.
