“There is only one religion, though there are hundred versions of it.” (G. Bernard Shaw) One of the universal activities is religion. History has recorded numerous indications of religious existence in most cultures. It is relevant to analyse the essence of religion, its irreversible importance and other alternatives.

The term ‘religion’ comes from the Latin ‘religare’, ‘to bind’. It is a philosophy involving the worship of a god or gods. Some cultures do not believe in a supernatural power, for e.g. Buddhism, but all religious believers seem to agree there is an existence beyond physical power.

From the spirit God present in earthquakes, floods and natural catastrophes, to the more sophisticated concept of an invisible, omnipresent Creator, there are many explanations underlying our mortal existence. Yet, is it true that we no longer need religion? Is it accurate to say that religion only exists to give hope to a bleak world? Or are we trying to act like gods ourselves? Nevertheless, it is true that many people in our stylish epoch do not feel the need to attend religious services. Some think that industrialisation, science and technological advancements have led to an increasingly secular society. ‘Secularism’ is the belief that the world can be explained without the need for the supernatural, without the idea of a creator God.

It is useful to consider several alternatives to traditional religions. Since time immemorial, mankind has proposed different alternatives to belief. Hence, ‘atheism’ is the positive denial of God. Supported by 18th century philosophers like Marx or Nietzsche, atheism claims that, since ‘total perfection’ could not allow evil, there is no total perfection, i.e. God. In addition, ‘agnosticism’ (word coined by 19th-century biologist Thomas Huxley) advocates that, whether there is a supreme being or not, it is beyond human power to understand, so we must remain not knowing.

On the other hand, ‘materialism’ (wrongly portrayed as greed and acquiring wealth) essentially claims that everything is caused to exist by matter. Furthermore, ‘hedonism’ (from Ancient Greece) is based on the idea that pleasure is the sole good in life and its pursuit is the ideal conduct. Finally, ‘humanism’ emphasises the ultimate dignity and value of the individual, without the help of a God. All these philosophies apply to our world, but one must not forget that religion has always been present. Without faith in a divine entity, humanity could not have reached the 21st century. One of the world’s most advanced economies, the U.S, counts 80% of its population still believing in God. Is it true that we no longer need the image of some supernatural being to explain what is incomprehensible? Fortunately, this view is not shared by many scientists, practising believers and the world population.

Our global world reflects multi-faith communities, a kaleidoscope of beliefs and cultures living and growing, not one against the other but with one another. “For Mercy has a human face, Pity, a human heart: And Love the human form divine, and Peace the human dress.” (William Blake)

<B>Pamela Arasen-Lilette</B>