Having lived in a Hindu majority state, I took it for granted that everyone is aware of my culture. Until recently, I moved to Accra, Ghana temporarily, almost for 4 months. Christianity and Islam are the two primary religions, but one can see more Christians, hence I assume they form the majority. So, what is so different in living in a Christian majority state?
No one knows what Hinduism is, so one has to explain quite a bit. Also, I am often confronted with this question, will I go to heaven if I pray?
I didn't quite know what to say, I tried to explain the concept of 'Moksha'. I also witnessed a prayer meeting at a friend's place. It was a different experience. Honestly, I was slightly intimidated at first, which proved I am no different, I am a normal human being, who feels odd if placed in another radical social fabric.
This made me think, how people convert into religious fanatics, and the truth is it is very easy for some one who been told as a child that 'A' is right and 'B' is wrong, 'A' is going to help you always. The youth is extremely vunerable to this problem. When family, friends, governments, communities fail to help the individual, people often turn to God. That is faith, but what these youngsters do not realise that their faith is being insulted by some greedy individuals. People who do not respect God, in any form and religion, they will achieve their goals through authoratarian means. Be it any religion, any country, any leader.
I always say, Religion is a personal matter, yes it is. Even if you are not religious, you do care about it at some level, but being tolerant is the key. I am so happy to live in a secular state, where people are tolerant. Yes, there are problems, lots of them, animosity flares up time to time, but having so many religions in the same state is truly remarkable.
