Religion, in terms of its content, is, in principle, for human consciousness, a total perception of existence and its phenomena, a worldview that interprets all phenomena...

RELIGION

Religion is primarily a historical phenomenon, with various manifestations. As a historical phenomenon, it is a creation of some society, either directly or indirectly. Either it is created by members of society who have common perceptions and slowly shape the phenomenon of religion, or it is created by an individual, who, however, is based on common perceptions, uses them, interprets them, presents them perhaps in some other way, and with the transmission is also accepted by other members of society and thus takes on its social dimension again. An example of the first type of religion is Sanatana Dharma. An example of the second type is Buddhism, and even Western religions, Christianity, Islam...

WORLD THEORY

Religion, in terms of its content, is, in principle, for human consciousness, a total perception of existence and its phenomena, a worldview that interprets all phenomena. From this general view, an ethics derives, which has an individual and a social dimension. Then Religion is expressed as a way of life, since it organizes the whole life of man on a religious basis, establishes religious events, and integrates all human activities into its framework.

INITIATION

The Consciousness that forms or initiates, or accepts, the moment it "consciously perceives", accepts some basic, obvious, and generally certain perceptions, which cannot be questioned because they derive from the very "perception of existence". Truth, Principle, Axiom, are the terms used to characterize these first certainties. Consciousness primarily perceives its Being (Existence), but Which cannot be defined except by convention... It is Transcendent, Infinite, beyond space and time (regardless of whether we realize this...) . Consciousness either refers to That Transcendent (perceives that "it is so"), or perceives itself to be That Transcendent. From This Transcendent derive (in one way or another) the worlds, invisible, visible, material beings and phenomena... Consciousness, all consciousness, is This Consciousness, Being in its Totality, "refers to" in this. "Individuality" can only be a delusion... From the moment Consciousness "leaves" Pure Being (in "metaphysical" space and time...) and immerses itself in the perception of an individuality, it passes into a state that is fictitious...

WORLD PERCEPTION

Consciousness thus perceives "The Whole Space of Existence", and interprets within this framework of perception, all its possible situations. What is perceived with the intellect and with other mechanisms (such as sensation), is experience from the realm of reason and the external world, which is verified, established, and thus becomes objectivity. Consciousness intuitively perceives, mentally infers (without being able to prove it in mental space), that there are several worlds, and that this material world is the last in the series... In the present state Consciousness (which is more than mere intellect, the mental complex "I", the intellect...), along with its mental power and dynamism, is connected to a living organism. Consciousness "transcends" its material carrier but at the same time is present within the carrier, both as Presence, and with its lower powers. Consciousness manifests its mental power and sensory activity through a nervous system, which is the "heart" of the organism. Consciousness perceives (i.e., is conscious, understands, feels, as a function with many manifestations...), that it is Present here with its material carrier, within the material world, comes into relation with the world, experiences, etc. ...

Consciousness, being Transcendent, Infinite, can be "Outside", or perceived to be "within" the material world. Here rests all metaphysical consideration, all spiritual effort, course, evolution (although all these are conventional expressions).

Having this perception, the Consciousness forms moral imperatives and follows moral behaviors (that is, it organizes its life according to the above perceptions...)...

RELIGION IN HISTORY

We described above what the religious phenomenon is, from the point of view of Consciousness, theoretically.

But historically speaking, there are Consciousnesses that Experienced this phenomenon. Within the framework of a common perception Consciousnesses Experienced the "Same" Reality. They expressed it, codified it, transmitted it, and this is how the phenomenon of Religion appeared in history.

From this historical point of view, Religion is a total theory of existence, a worldview which accepts the following:

1. The Being (to Whom various Names and Designations are attributed), is Transcendent, Eternal, Infinite, beyond space and time.

2. From This Absolute Being come all the phenomena of existence (the creation, the worlds, the beings, the phenomena...)...

3. All beings identify (in their Deepest Essence, or "refer" to, or "relate" to This Being.

4. On the basis of this "relation" of the being to the Being, the being is determined in terms of its Essence, its destination, its evolution, its activity, its completion... In particular, by this "relation " with the Absolute Being and its position within the space of existence, the necessity of a certain activity within the framework of this "relationship" is born in the being. Life is religiousized, moral demands are established, and an ethic is formed, a destination is determined, and activity is determined based on the purpose that has been set, etc...

5. The main request is made which constitutes the essence of the whole religious concept which is the "end of man", and which is understood in various ways within the historical religions.

RELIGION AND INDIVIDUAL

In the context of History, always, this total theory about Existence, is accepted by many people, it creates a religious community, which has its own historical course. In the context of this historical course, important historical figures appear, theories and doctrines evolve, various cultural elements are created and accumulated...

Thus, a person who is born and develops within the framework of a religion that functions as a social phenomenon, must accept perceptions, comply with the ethics of the community and place his activity within the framework of common religious life. Within these social contexts the individual must realize his own development and achieve his own destiny and reach his completion. In the final analysis and from this point of view, Religion is a personal and indeed internal achievement...

SECULARISATION OF RELIGIONS

Religion as defined above is not entirely identical with formal religious organizations that often function not as religious communities, but as parts of a secularized society.... Such secularized religions that function simply as social institutions have not only lost their Inner Life, the Experience of Reality, and the ability to guide other people, but they often work against the peoples...