“All religions lead to the same God, and all deserve the same respect.”
Paolo Coelho
What a lovely quote, Spidey! One that I live by daily,
So, I am the product of a Sikh family, growing up going to the gurdwara, attending various paaths(prayers), and learning about the Gurus in more detail. I am not baptised, though, so I consider myself educated, and still a Sikh, but not a part of the Khalsa, who are the more devout of the believers. I live by what our Gurus taught as much as I can, and seek to do good in life.
Vaisakhi, Bando Chorr Divas (same day as Diwali), our Gurus birthdays – all times we prayed and celebrated for specific reasons. Even now, I ensure I pray, eery day, in my own way, and play a special prayer every morning to bless our house and family.
I loved going to the Gurdwara, especially for the three-day-long prayers called an Akhand Paath, where the whole of the Guru Granth Sahib (our holy scripture, described as the eleventh Guru) is read. The temple we used to attend had rooms where we could stay for the duration, and it was such fun! We prayed, too, of course, but we were allowed to help in the kitchens, play games with our cousins, with fewer adult eyes upon us, eat chips and beans on a Saturday, when they had a special menu for the kids, and when we got older, we could pop out too, to the lovely local shops! That might not have been anything connected to my religion, but still, fond memories!
However, I was born in a predominantly Christian country and went to a Church of England school, where worship was by singing hymns and reciting The Lord’s Prayer, as well as visits to the school affiliated church for different occasions. I learned the significance of Christmas and Easter above the fact that you got presents or chocolate eggs on that day. I still find myself singing the odd hymn, here and there. And I can still decide most of The Lord’s Prayer, too!
My best friend is Muslim, as is one of my closest work friends, so Eid and Ramadan became something I wanted to know about. I even attempted to fast with my bezzy at university. I couldn’t hack even one day. Respect! I learned why fasting took place, and the significance of it, rather than looking on and wondering why not allowing yourself to eat or drink for the whole of the day was actually worth it.
We’ve had family friends who are Hindu, and I know those who are Greek Orthodox, Catholic…
I don’t know someone of every religion out there, and I don’t profess to.
But what I do know is that each and every religion is rooted in the same beliefs, when you boil their teachings all down.
How they are interpreted by individuals is not something that can be prescribed.
But, whenever there is something to celebrate, I’m with each and every religious brother and sister of mine, out there. I thank you for educating me about different beliefs – the hows and whys intrigue me.
And if there is something to celebrate, we should all do it!
Right now, this week, we have had Vasakhi, and on Saturday in my marital hometown, there was the annual procession, back after three years, due to the pandemic. Each year thousands of Sikhs flock to Gravesend to be a part of this parade. and with us Sikhs, there are always countless other non-Sikh brothers and sisters who join in, for the fun, the colour the food, and I hope, for some education.
Our Muslim friends are in the middle of their rosay, fasting until they will be ready to celebrate Eid.
And today is Easter. Okay, so I might not go to church, but I will raise a prayer to the resurrection, and then eat my Easter eggs, hot cross buns, and wish I had a family who liked roast lamb as much as me… (They don’t so I won’t be cooking that! I mean, who doesn’t like a good roast dinner?!)
It’s up to us to embrace and celebrate each other’s beliefs. Not a melting pot, as some wanted, where all end up conforming to the same culture, but a salad bowl, complementing each other’s individual beliefs. (Taken from something America, I cannot profess what, but I remember reading it and thinking ‘Yes! That!’)
Let me end this post by wishing all those celebrating, a very happy Easter!
So, do you have a religious belief? 💜
Wishing you a wonderfully peaceful Sunday, Peeps!
But I Smile Anyway... 
Apr 17, 2022 @ 22:21:33
Thanks for sharing this very interesting information, Sis! Happy Easter to you as well. I hope you had a great Easter Sunday without costumizing Sonu like a Easter rabbit. Lol – Who (beside all people around me too.) can spurn roast lamb? Best wishes, Michael
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Apr 17, 2022 @ 22:36:18
Hrs grown wise to my dressing up trucks, now Bro. I don’t even try, lol!
Happy Easter! 🐰🐣
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Apr 18, 2022 @ 14:27:03
Lol – Now Sonu seems to change directly from teenager to retired upper class cat. Lol Happy Easter to you as well, Sis! Enjoy the holidays! xx Michael
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Apr 17, 2022 @ 22:17:06
Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Apr 17, 2022 @ 21:30:12
Beautifully said, Ritu! If only everyone listened to and learned about each other’s beliefs (you were right that it all comes down to the same thing), and celebrated together.
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Apr 17, 2022 @ 22:35:21
I always love it when someone asks a meaningful question about my religion or culture, and, if I can’t answer, I’m more than happy to find out, educating myself as well as another!
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Apr 17, 2022 @ 20:28:08
I hope you enjoy whichever bit of whichever festival you want to celebrate this weekend Ritu. For my part I’ll just try and eat less chocolate than usual at this juncture and wonder, as I often do why so many humans feel the need for religions and rituals and faith and what possesed our ancestors to make them up in the first place. The world makes more sense to me without all those added complications but hey whatever floats anyone’s boat is fine by me.
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Apr 17, 2022 @ 20:36:58
Well, there is that, His Geoffleship! I know what you mean about added complications! Enjoy your chocolate, regardless! 😊
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Apr 17, 2022 @ 16:48:20
I’m not sure where I fall, these days. I just try to be kind to animals and plants and trees, et al.
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Apr 17, 2022 @ 17:09:46
That is a belief in itself!
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Apr 17, 2022 @ 16:39:18
Thank you for sharing this….
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Apr 17, 2022 @ 17:09:24
Thank you for reading, John 🙏🏼
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Apr 17, 2022 @ 15:48:44
Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Apr 17, 2022 @ 12:12:51
I found the deepest, happiest, most profound connection to God/Source/Spirit once I began attending a Spiritualist Church 30 years ago. It was there that I discovered that the only word of God is LOVE! May your day be filled with LOVE. Happy Easter, Sis! ❤
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Apr 17, 2022 @ 12:15:50
Happy Easter, Sis 🐣🐰🙏🏼
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Apr 17, 2022 @ 11:36:45
it is a very Holy Week, indeed, for so many religions – passover too. I’m not a part of any organized religion, though I was raised a Catholic, and the closest I can come it subscribing to the buddhist principles of compassion and honesty.
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Apr 17, 2022 @ 11:39:13
That is all still respecting a belief!
And see, I even forgot to mention Passover!
Learning every day!
Have a great day, Beth 💜🙏🏼
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Apr 17, 2022 @ 13:39:19
These holidays only overlap every 33 years
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Apr 17, 2022 @ 13:42:10
Something more to celebrate and respect!
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Apr 17, 2022 @ 06:34:31
I’m a Muslim Ritu and like you I respect all faiths.
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Apr 17, 2022 @ 09:47:44
It’s the only way we can live in peace, Sajde🙏🏼
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Apr 17, 2022 @ 11:20:07
Very true 🙏🏼
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Apr 17, 2022 @ 05:25:48
We have just finished our second night of Passover. I am a cultural Jew. To me that means I appreciate and respect my heritage. I try to live my life respecting everyone and their beliefs as long as they are not harming others. I am very much in the minority where I live. I am OK with that too.
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Apr 17, 2022 @ 09:48:47
I truly respect that, too 🙏🏼
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