social changes

Religions or Beliefs? Time to think again?

Indian philosophical thoughts starts from far past where there is no recorded history are available.
There was no concept of religion in India, but only there were beliefs existed. More or less the whole sub continent was observing customs according to the specifics of their respective regions and lively hoods. It has been evident from the history of Kerala, a southern state which was exposed to the world through trade links directly and indirectly via Arabs, Chinese etc from ancient past. Kerala was not much exposed to any serious external invasions (Iranian, Alexander, Mongolian, English, etc) or direct conflict. In Kerala, before British started controlling the customs via centralized laws, Christianity and Islam co existed with local beliefs. Those who practiced Indian way of worship used to refer Muslims as practitioners of “4th Veda” or “Adharva Veda”, but accepted them as one of the ways of worships. Lot many churches and musjids in north Kerala resembles temples and most of the old festivals shows all inclusiveness. In the neighboring Andaman and Nikobar islands and some parts of Kerala itself we can see that people of different worships lives in same family.
Hence, there are strong reasons to believe that the invaders never understood the existence of belief without religion, as they were never exposed to such openness. Interventions with prejudice pave birth to ‘religions’ in India. It is high time to discard the religions and to go back to beliefs.
In this context I am trying to bring some analogies between Semitic and Indian myths to emphasis the fact that there are no religions, but there are only some differences in rituals, and more or less the aim of such rituals aim the same.
=== Manu Vs Adam ===
According to Indian myths it is believed that Manu is the fore father of human beings. In similar lines Adam is believed to be the fore father of us by Jews, Christians, Muslims, etc.
=== Krishna Vs Moses ===
The stories of Krishna and Moses resemble a lot. Both of them were separated from parents as soon as they are born in a rainy night, interestingly in same way. There was a cruel ruler who was killing all new born baby boys. Krishna/Moses was kept in a basket and left it in a river. They both were born in an oppressed class and become powerful by making popular movements. Both of them brought sacred texts which do not contradict each other.
=== Jambavan / Gabriel / Jibrael ===
According to Indian myths it is believed that Jambavan is an angel, who lives in mountains, who will be present in the word from beginning till end of it, knowing everything. If we observe Middle East, most of the prophets are given sacred texts by an angel called Gabriel (Jibrael). Again it Holy Quran its is mentioned that there is a mother book of knowledge and for every sect (in terms of generations/era) a specific instance of the same is being given. Even sufi believers used to claim that the link between them and god is via Jibrael. Interestingly we have absconding periods for each of the messengers, Moses, Krishna, Yohannan, Jesus, Mohammed etc. They used to be away from the public, frequently before coming with divine messages. It can be assumed that they were in touch with the said angel for their respective copy of the message?!
=== Devas, Devtas, Asuras and Angels, Devils ===
According to Indian mythology there are some creatures which are not human, but serve and exist with the will of the absolute power. They also do their job (karma) and bows to the supreme (Brahman). They are known as Devas and Devtas. There are another sect which acts against the guidelines of supreme and tries to persuade human beings also in same way. They are referred to as Asuras. These both sects belong to same ancestry.
In Semitic religion they are respectively called as Angels and Devils(Satan). Interestingly they were also one sect before differences arose between them.
=== Conclusion ===
Putting things together, I believe that these differences in stories are mainly due to demographic and language changes. As we know most of these were spread orally and there are enough chances of mis-interpretation. This points to the fact there no religions but only one belief which is underlining the supremacy of the almighty, the Parashakthi, the Brahman, the Yahova or the Allah. It’s high time to demolish all religious establishments. It’s a matter of thoughts and not a matter of rules and regulations. Let the states manage rules and regulations. Let the belief be a private affair.