Features

Faith shapes the world we live in. We may think that we live in a world of pure science and secularism, but our history, our society, and our individual lives are still shaped by world views grounded in religious belief. What we think about the universe, human nature, death, God, and the human soul shapes our everyday decisions and attitudes, whether we lay formal claim to a particular faith or not.

As engrossing as the trivialities of daily life can be, these are the questions you will ask yourself sooner or later. Critic spoke to a bunch of local believers who provided a (by no means comprehensive) snapshot comparing the world views of a few major religions. So, take a peek at the answers given by a few people, mostly students, who are betting their lives that they have it right. The stakes are high: don't stop here. Seek and you will find.
 
   Hinduism
   As explained by Sreekari Vogeti.
 
   Why does the universe/life exist?
   The universe is thought have been created spontaneously by the syllable "Om," or rather the void of existence. It is believed to be cyclic and eternal.
 
   What/Who is God(s)?
   Something that is not visible to human eye but is present in everything and everywhere. They can take form in different ways for humans to perceive.
 
   How can people contact or know God(s)?
   Through worship, rituals and self-actualisation/understanding.
 
   What happens to a person after death?
   Existing body ceases to function but the soul is eternal so it is reincarnated.
 
   How would you explain human nature?
   Human nature is a combination of the karma of parents and past life of the soul.
 
   How should people live their lives? 
   Life is sacred so should be lived worthy of it in accordance with the laws of Dharma (taking necessities from the universe and giving back as much as you can).
 
   Why do bad things happen in the world?
   We believe bad things happen because of karma, the law of cause and effect by which each individual creates his own destiny by his thoughts, words, and deeds.
 
   How do you know that all this is true?
   The teachings are based on accounts of history so I choose to have faith.
 
   How does believing this impact your life?
   It gives me inner peace and open-mindedness.
 
   What is the bottom line/most important message?
   Live according to Dharma. Take only as much you need from the universe and give back as much as you can.
 
   How can people learn more about your beliefs?
   From ancient scriptures that narrate the Hindu Dharma (the way of life). Hinduism does not allow conversion but people are free to learn and live by the Hindu way of life from numerous organisations around the world.
 
   Anything else important about your faith?
   The overall aspiration of Hinduism is “Sarve jana (all living beings) sukhinobhavantu (live in peace, prosperity and happiness).”
 
   Christianity
   As explained by Richard Nyhof.
 
   Why does the universe/life exist?
   Because it’s good. Life, love, relationship – at its essence, it’s good. So a good creator with the ability to bring it about takes pleasure in doing so.
 
   What/Who is God(s):
   The creator of the universe. The one who become human (Jesus) and understands life, love, loneliness, betrayal, and ultimately death. Faced so that we can have life to the full – lived with his Holy Spirit and directed to his ways. Yep, that does make him the direction setter, the ultimate standard too!
 
   How can people contact or know God(s)?
   The bottom line here is that God is waiting for you to get in touch. You make a move and he’ll be there. Maybe grab a Bible and ask God to help you find out what he wants for you. Then start reading – I’d recommend the book of Mark (it’s the shortest telling of the Jesus story!)
 
   What happens to a person after death?
   Your body rots. Your spirit is returned to its creator to face the ultimate question. Ready and willing to live an eternity under His reign, or not? … there is an alternative, the choice is yours (and one that is made during this life!)
 
   How would you explain human nature?
   People (including Christians) behaving poorly? Basically as a race we have a mile-wide rebellious streak and love challenging God about the direction he sets.
 
   How should people live their lives? 
   The Bible is the really big answer. Generally, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and strength, and your neighbour as yourself.” A bit more specific: “Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with the Lord your God.”
 
   Why do bad things happen in the world?
   That rebellious streak again. God made it perfect and we screwed it up. The whole creation is bent out of shape and vulnerable to intruders like pain, betrayal, and death.
 
   How do you know that all this is true? 
   Personally – because it makes sense of everything I see and experience. It all fits the big picture. I guess the model fits the data. And not just the easy data, but pain and hope, and despair and eternity.
 
   How does believing this impact your life?
   Totally (well it should but I ain’t perfect!). Everything I do is shaped by what I believe. How I understand the value of people as worthwhile to God impacts how I treat them as individuals and as groupings. Living in a created world gives me a responsibility to look after it – to steward resources.
 
   What is the bottom line/most important message?
   Jesus. Whatever is going down in life Jesus understands and seeks relationship [with you]. He took the worst the world (including me) could throw at him, and carried it so that you can have the best relationship with him.
 
   How can people learn more about your beliefs?
   Read the best-selling book of all time – it’s all in there. On campus – try the Chaplain’s office, see otago.ac.nz/chaplain/. Off campus – wander into a church one Sunday and ask someone to introduce you to Jesus!
 
   Anything else important about your faith?
   How’s this for a great question: “How can I have eternal life?” Answer: Figure out where you stand in relation to Jesus. Anything that stops you addressing that is ultimately keeping you from life.
 
   Islam
   As explained by Shahirah Elaiza.
 
   Why does the universe/life exist?
   The universe and all its components were created to have a purpose and also as a sign of a Creator. 
 
   What/Who is God(s):
   Muslims refer to God as Allah (the Arabic term for God). Allah is neither male nor female. He is Uniquely One; there is no one and nothing like Him. He is the Eternal and His Existence is Absolute. 
 
   How can people contact or know God(s)?
   A direct relationship can be formed simply by having faith and in doing so one can reach out to Him through prayers and reciting the Holy Qur’an. 
 
   What happens to a person after death?
   His or her soul will enter an intermediary state known as the ‘barzakh’. It is a waiting period before Judgement Day arrives: a day when all souls will be resurrected and it will be decided whether they will enter Heaven or Hell. 
 
   How would you explain human nature?
   Human beings are the most superior of God’s creations but at the same time we were also made to be imperfect and flawed as we are all bound to make mistakes. 
 
   How should people live their lives? 
   In accordance to God’s guidance for mankind which can be found in the Holy Qur’an and by following the ‘sunnah’ (examples set by the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him). 
 
   Why do bad things happen in the world?
   Bad things happen as trials from God to test and strengthen our faith. They also happen simply as consequences of negative human behaviour and practices. 
 
   How do you know that all this is true? 
   Personally, it’s a mixture of experience and logic. There are statements in the Holy Qur’an which have been scientifically proven.
 
   How does believing this impact your life?
   It has inspired me to become a better person and Islam has given me peace of mind as I have a clearer picture of what life is all about. 
 
   What is the bottom line/most important message?
   Nothing has been created without an important purpose. As humans we are to obtain knowledge about our Creator and to worship Him and no one/nothing else for this worldly life is nothing but a test and an illusion. 
 
   How can people learn more about your beliefs?
   By reading the translated version Holy Qur’an, referring to proper and valid interpretations of its verses and by approaching a practicing Muslim. The Otago Muslim University Student Association (MUSA) can be contacted on Facebook. By participating in the upcoming up Islam Awareness Week (2-8 August)
 
   Anything else important about your faith?
   The basis of Islam is in the worship of The One and Only God. Muslims also believe that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the last Messenger sent by God to lead mankind to the truth and as a seal to the line of prophets (peace be upon them) that came before him.
 
   Judaism
   As explained by the Leader of the Jewish Group on campus
 
   Why does the universe/life exist? 
   The universe exists because G-d created it in seven days, allowing us to live.
 
   What/Who is God(s): 
   G-d is the almighty being, that we turn to for the answers.
 
   How can people contact or know God(s)? 
   People can contact G-d through praying and bettering themselves, attempting to keep to as many of the 613 blessings as possible.
 
   What happens to a person after death? 
   Judaism focuses on the living so when a family member dies we wish the Family a long life, because the living is considered more important than the dead.
 
   How should people live their lives? 
   Everyone has their own set of beliefs and one cannot tell them what is right and wrong. The Jewish way of living involves many different aspects, of keeping the laws of kashrut, praying, keeping the festivals, and following the Ten Commandments.
 
   How does believing this impact your life? 
   Believing in Judaism changes the way I eat, dress, socialize and behave.
 
   How can people learn more about your beliefs? 
   People can learn more about Judaism everywhere: on the net, by going to a synagogue or asking a friend.
 
   Where can people join a community with your beliefs? 
   To convert to Judaism you need to have a very good reason, the process can take around three years and you need to be willing to change.
 
   Atheism
   As explained by Emily Menkes.
 
   Why does the universe/life exist?
   Science cannot answer why it exists, but can explain how the universe came to be as it is now, based on the laws of physics, and the conditions for life on Earth developed as a consequence of this. 
 
   What/Who is God(s):
   Gods are an invention of the human mind to help us cope with adversities, and also serve to give meaning to some people’s lives; outside of people’s minds, God doesn’t exist.
 
   How can people contact or know God(s)?
   Through a variety of self-deceptive manoeuvres, which may include religious rituals.
 
   What happens to a person after death?
   They decompose back into the Earth. Think of the circle of life from The Lion King.
 
   How would you explain human nature?
   Human nature is a complex mixture of good and bad, reflecting our evolutionary past. 
 
   How should people live their lives?
   Human beings are capable of being moral without religion, and should live their lives by fulfilling their personal potential, treating each other with respect and kindness, and finding their own meaning and path in life. It is simply wrong that religion is the only basis for morality. A book shouldn’t be the only thing stopping you from killing and stealing, etc.
 
   Why do bad things happen in the world?
   There is not always a reason why bad things happen but they are not punishments from God; however many bad things happen in the name of God, for example sectarian violence and terrorist bombings.
 
   How do you know that all this is true?
   Empirical evidence and logic. God has never been proven and no good reason has been demonstrated for believing in him, and to put it down to something like faith is dangerous and an insult to humankind’s intelligence and capacity for reason. 
 
   How does believing this impact your life?
   By not believing that Earth and humankind are the centre of the universe and reason for being, and that there is no life after death, atheism liberates me and affirms my life in a way that a religious person’s life could never be.
 
   What is the bottom line/most important message?
   There is no God, so stop worrying and enjoy your life. Believe in reason and science, treat others well, and see this as a way to enjoy a meaningful, moral, happy, healthy, loving life.
 
   How can people learn more about your beliefs?
   Reading science books, and looking at authors like Carl Sagan, Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens. Or some of the great atheist websites, for example atheistfoundation.org.au/
 
   Anything else important about your faith?
   Atheism is about searching for the truth.
 
   Buddhism
   As explained by Dr. Phramonchai Saitanaporn and Dr. Chaisit Suwanvarangkul
 
   Why does the universe/life exist?
   Because our minds are imperfect.
 
   What/Who is God(s)?
   God is creator, but Buddhists do not believe in God.
 
   How can people contact or know God(s)?
   We can visualise God if our minds are purified and in peaceful.
 
   What happens to a person after death?
   Their mind will continue and be planted again (reincarnation).
 
   How would you explain human nature?
   Human nature is a compound of body and mind.
 
   How should people live their lives? 
   People live their lives by developing morality, concentration, and wisdom.
 
   Why do bad things happen in the world?
   Because there is greed, anger, and delusion in our minds.
 
   How do you know that all this is true? 
   When you can control your mind [you can] get rid of your greed, anger, and delusion.
 
   How does believing this impact your life?
   It makes us continue our lives in true happiness.
 
   What is the bottom line/most important message?
   You reap what you sow, like law of action in Buddhism.
 
   How can people learn more about your beliefs?
   Discuss with Buddhist Monks and practice. Meditation Centre, 16 Pitt Street North Dunedin, Dunedin 9016. Every Thursday and Friday 6-7 pm.
 
   Anything else important about your faith?
   A Buddhist’s final goal is liberation and freedom in mind.