Month: November 2025

I believe in a positive energy that keeps people motivated, offers strength during difficult times, and helps them overcome challenges. I choose to call this energy God. However, I also recognize that every person defines “God” or “a higher power” differently—some see it as a divine being, others as the universe, nature, or even the power of human consciousness.

From a critical thinking perspective, this belief isn’t about accepting ideas blindly, but about reflecting on personal experiences and understanding what gives meaning, comfort, and moral grounding in life. Religion, for me, serves as a framework that helps me connect with this energy—it offers symbols, rituals, and stories that make abstract ideas about hope and purpose more tangible.

At the same time, I understand that religion is interpreted differently across cultures and individuals. What matters most is not rigid adherence to doctrine, but the ability to question, interpret, and find personal significance in these beliefs. In that sense, faith becomes not just a matter of following tradition, but of conscious choice and inner understanding.

During the critical thinking life class which I attended encouraged participants to question assumptions, analyze perspectives, and make reasoned judgments. One of the most enlightening parts of the session was discussing how critical thinking can be applied to religion. As a follower of Hinduism, I found it valuable to reflect on how my faith encourages inquiry. When we explore spirituality with an open yet discerning mind, we come closer to genuine understanding rather than blind belief.Coming to a common ground among different religions begins with respect. When we recognize that all faiths seek truth, harmony, and compassion and humanity in their own way, dialogue becomes possible. The life class reminded me that common ground is not about making everyone believe the same thing, but about creating space where diverse beliefs can coexist peacefully.Today, I see many people grappling with how to balance tradition and modern reasoning. Some feel that questioning religious ideas means disrespecting them, while others reject faith altogether in favor of logic. The challenge is not to choose between faith and reason, but to let them inform each other.The workshop helped me see that critical thinking is not about criticism—it’s about clarity. When applied with humility and curiosity, it can help us live our beliefs more consciously and connect across differences with greater understanding.

I used to believe that God was a powerful being who controlled everything that happened in life and that religion was a guide to living rightly. Over time, I started having doubts about why there are so many different religions and why people interpret God in so many ways. Today, I still believe there is a higher power or spiritual force, but I think faith should be more about kindness, understanding, and living truthfully rather than strict rituals. I still question why suffering exists if God is loving and why people use religion to divide rather than unite. I notice that many people struggle to balance their personal beliefs with what society or their families expect of them. I think we can find common ground by focusing on shared values like compassion, honesty, and respect instead of arguing over whose beliefs are right.

When I was younger, I believed that God was like a powerful being who controlled everything in life from what happens to us every day to what our future would be. Religion, to me, was a set of rules and rituals that we had to follow to stay close to God and to be good people. I followed what I was taught at home and in my community without really questioning it.

As I grew older, I started having some doubts. I wondered why there were so many religions if God is one. I also questioned why bad things happen to good people and why some prayers seem unanswered. These doubts made me curious rather than less faithful they pushed me to understand spirituality in a deeper way.

Today, I believe that God is more like a universal energy or a presence that connects all living things. I think religion is a path to reach that divine truth, but it’s not the only one. Every religion has wisdom and beauty in it. What matters most is kindness, compassion, and how we treat others.

I still have questions like what happens after death, or how much of our life is destiny versus free will. I don’t think anyone has all the answers, and maybe that’s okay. Faith, to me, is about continuing to seek truth even when everything isn’t clear.

When I look around, I see many people struggling to balance faith with modern life. Some find it hard to believe in something they can’t see, while others are hurt by how religion is sometimes used to divide people. But I also see hope many are trying to find spirituality beyond labels.

To come on common ground, I think we need to focus on values that all religions teach love, peace, respect, and service. Instead of arguing about who is right, we can listen to each other’s beliefs and learn. In the end, we all seek meaning, purpose, and connection and that’s where we are all one.

The session focused on critical thinking, linking concepts of faith, religion, and morality. Through discussions on 7 Sins, Vardan Sir’s blog, and a common session with the HOS, we explored how questioning beliefs and analyzing perspectives can lead to deeper understanding

I spent the last two days joining the Lifeclasses session, where we talked about belief, doubt, and religion in a relaxed and friendly way. The session gave everyone a chance to stop and think about what they believe and to hear the thoughts of others without any pressure.
We used some simple questions, like what we believe now, what we used to believe, and what’s still confusing for us. Many participants said that it’s normal and okay to feel unsure or to have questions about religion and faith sometimes. This made it easier to talk openly and understand that others face similar struggles.
I really liked how the group focused on finding things we could all agree on, even if our views were different. The session showed that when people listen to each other with respect, it’s easier to work together and understand one another. It was nice to see that even if people come from different backgrounds, we all value things like kindness, respect, and being curious about life.
Overall, I think Lifeclasses was a good way to reflect and share ideas. It felt good to take part in honest talks about what matters to people and how we can understand each other better.

During the fifth and sixth days of our Life Classes, we explored one of the most sensitive yet thought-provoking topic — religion. The sessions beautifully guided us through the conceptual and perceptual meanings of key terms such as religion, God, beliefs, customs, traditions, rituals, and spirituality.

What made these sessions truly enriching was how they encouraged us to go beyond definitions and reflect on the deeper significance of these concepts in our own lives. The facilitators did not impose any single interpretation but rather opened a space for critical inquiry and self-reflection. This approach helped us confront and question the many myths and biases that often surround religious practices.

A major takeaway for me was the importance of the art of questioning — learning to ask “why” instead of merely accepting “what,” as is both our right and responsibility to understand the reasoning behind rituals and traditions, instead of following them blindly.

Another meaningful aspect discussed was the range of emotions people experience when their religious beliefs are challenged. Some respond with fear or confusion, while others show openness or curiosity. These emotional responses reflect how deeply faith is interwoven with identity, culture, and personal experience.

The sessions were made even more engaging through interactive activities, including a discussion with a Vardhan Sir and a movie screening — both of which offered fresh and creative perspectives on religion and spirituality.

Overall, these two days were an enlightening journey into understanding not just religion, but also the human emotions and thought processes that surround it. They reminded us that questioning does not mean disrespect — it means seeking truth and meaning in a mindful, informed way.