Although I’ve at numerous times sparked up this topic in small paragraphs in my posts, this has never got to the individual post benchmark but I think it should because I’m tired of explaining people my reasons and views for this and maybe I’ll just refer them to this page next time. So, what am I going to talk about today? Atheism, Horoscopes and God.

A very simple theme but this little issue which bugs me since I’ve been a little kid though the bugging has stopped since the last one-two years but still, I gotta rescue other kids from the curse of following the same religion as their family. The same curse inflicted upon every kid who takes birth in India and many other irrational places in the world. The same curse which I broke. Yes, that’s the issue – Who says we need to follow the same religion as our family? Just because I was born in a Hindu family doesn’t mean I cannot be a Muslim. At one, our country is a Secular Republic and on the other hand, this simple principle fails to make its mark upon the conscience of the millions of (over) population residing here. Enough said, I will illustrate below my views about the whole idea of Religion.

Religion, defined by Google Now as “The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, esp. a personal God or gods.” But that definition is really limited. Let’s expand it a little, should we? Why do people believe in God? Why do you? Why do your parents? Come to think of it, why would someone believe in an entity they have never seen nor heard?

Denial and Low Willpower. That is the whole-sole criteria behind the idea of religion as well as its choice. Humans NEED someone to blame for their mistakes, faults and imperfections. They NEED hope in times of trial and failure. They NEED something as a façade to their denial. They NEED someone who doesn’t exist. But it doesn’t end there, humans need rules too, to keep in control – To keep calm. And hence, comes ‘Religion’ – A little ‘game’ which is played so cleverly by our ancestors. They invented religion, a simple, self-control mechanism which helps both, keep the spirits high and as a regret filter.

But that isn’t enough, Horoscopes are another ‘evil’ set up by people who know how to manipulate minds. Have you ever read something like, ‘Personality traits of a Scorpio Male’? I’m sure you have, everyone has. It was true and the traits matched with your personality exactly, right? Yes? No! It wasn’t true. The descriptions and traits for each horoscope and gender are so ‘generalized’ that we connect with them almost immediately. But how is that possible in each case? Simple, your brain ignores the parts which do not match with your personality because again you need something to blame for your imperfection. For example, Scorpios are ‘said to be’ impulsive – I am a Scorpio – I am impulsive. Hence, my statement becomes “I am impulsive because I’m a Scorpio, can’t help it.” So, Point Taken?

I became an atheist and started following the beliefs of atheism before I knew the meaning. The only reason is that I would like to hold myself responsible for everything good and bad that happens with me. I have my own, personally customized set of rules and a code to live by as a normal human being. A code that fits for me and I don’t need to adjust with anything. No rituals either. It’s comfortable, really.

Nothing is wrong with Religion – The way religion and religious activities are carried out in the world is wrong. Ask a fat businessman to start running in the morning and he’ll start yelling, tell him that his ‘stars’ say that if he gets into shape or increases his physical output, his business and life will prosper and he’ll do it blindly. That is what is happening in every house of the Indian Subcontinent today. Break this practice. Religion didn’t create man, man created religion and it should stay that way.

Lastly, I would (blatantly) say this, if this article didn’t open your eyes by at least a millimetre, you should seriously stop calling yourself human. Yes, because humans are meant to think and act, not act because a book tells them to. Follow religion, there is nothing wrong with it, but follow it wisely not blindly.