Of Men and Gods
Religion has been part of human civilisation from the very beginning. It allows us - for the better or worse - to cope with our limitations as humans, be it human suffering and death or our failure as moral beings - or "sin" and "injustice" as some religions call it. Religions give us a whole new world of meaning, which allows us to live in this world full-filled and happily in spite of all these limitations, encouraging us to try to overcome them without getting mad from our constant failures. And religion allows humans to touch a different dimension, get a feeling for the transcendence and the hope that in the end the good will prevail.
As a system of meaning religion can have enormous power. It has often inspired the greatest deeds of compassion and sacrifice but also fanaticism and brutality. To understand the religious meaning, rituals and activities of other people is probably one of the most fascinating and profound ways to get closer to them, to get a feel what deep inside drives them and gives them hope.
