Dalai Lama is one of the most
influential religious leaders in the 21st century. Despite being
religious, he argues that it is important to be a person who is good in life
rather than a religious one. I completely agree with Dalai that a person is
supposed to be good rather than observing religious teachings without
transforming the lessons learned in life and becoming a good person. In life,
there are many people who are religious in nature, but they are not good. For
example, they are people who observe all religious teachings, such as going to
church, but they engage in evil activities. Thus, religion is not the basis for
determining who is a good person in life, but rather ethics should be the
guiding principles in life to direct the actions of individuals in life on the
path of what is right and wrong. Lama (pp23) points out that ethics supersedes
religion and people should follow ethical principles in life rather than just
being religious. Ethics determines what is right and wrong in the society,
while religion is more concerned about a person faith.
One of the reasons why being religious should
is not important as being a good person, is because there are no universally
acceptable religious teachings, different religions have their unique
teachings. However, when it comes to ethics, there are certain ethical
principles that are universally acceptable, despite the fact some them differs
in different cultures. Given that ethics defines what is right and wrong in the
world, then it is easier for people to be good than being religious. We have so
many people in the world who are good, but they are less religious. A real
person observes the acceptable codes of behavior by the society, unlike
religious people who follow certain teachings, which in some cases might not be
morally right. For example, teachings advocating for people to kill each other
on religious basis makes a person bad based on ethical principles, which argue
that human life should be respected and this is something that is acceptable
universally (Lama 21). Thus, a good person does what is right based on the
guiding ethical principles in the society, unlike religious teachings which at
times advocate for things that are considered evil. The best thing about good
people is that they engage in things that are acceptable to all members of the
society or the majority of the people as morally correct. This means being a good
person in life more important than being religious.
Someone can be religious, and at the same times, he or she is not a good
person (Feldman 8). A good example of religious people was that of the
Pharisees in the biblical teachings who always observed all Jews religion
teachings and values. Nonetheless, they did not stand for what was good for the
people, as they were corrupt and engaged in different forms of evils. This
example clearly reveals that it is possible for people to be religious and they
fail to be good. Following religious teachings does not qualify a person as
good. Those people who engage in the killing of masses in the name of religion
cannot be termed as good people. In conclusion, ethics should be the guiding
principles of what is right and wrong rather than people being religious in
life.
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