A dose of religion

After spending some time with my family visiting the place where Buddha conducted his first lecture, meeting one of our lead forward students and his family who practice Jainism, and having repeated discussions with my family friends about Jews, Jesus, and Christianity it is easy to perceive obvious similarities and differences. It is interesting to see the different personal opinions and practices in the varying sects of Christianity. There is a large Roman Catholic following in Pondicherry, the French coastal state that is surrounded by Tamil Nadu terrain. To experience a centennial celebration at the most notorious Pondicherry Roman Catholic church and see the flocks of Indian people mixed with foreigners, bikers, and children running about really shows how religion can give so much sanctity and feelings of togetherness for its followers. The Lutheran movement is strongest in Tamil Nadu especially in the vicinity of the Pondicherry and Cuddlore parish. There is also a following in Bangalore, but more missionary presence and strong devotees are said to be in Tamil Nadu. The Muslim belief in 'Allah' is very similar to Jewish prayer and worship for 'Adonai'. One television program on Prayer TV followed the speech of one doctor who was explaining the confusion of giving a male or female sex to Allah. This is the same for Adonai, the thought of an all knowing being or spirit that can't readily be explained or defined, just that it is ever present. If I tell my Christian friends that I don't believe in Jesus they are shocked and can't understand what Judaism is based on. Many Roman Catholics have pressured me to convert to Christianity giving me bibles or explaining the New Testament. This has also happened with one Protestant friend. They don't identify with Adonai, just how I don't identify with Jesus, but some are first generation converts from Hinduism and others have become accustomed to their religion since attending childhood religious school or cathecism class. Varying strength in belief or devotion can be seen between couples, but most times their children take on a strong religious belief. Is this due to the lifestyle where the chance and practice of a religion is give more time and respect from the culture. India can be stereotyped as a religious country, but that does not make it spiritual. I think some aspects of religious practice are very repetitive. I haven't seen any difference in RC weddings I have attended. There is one style present, in my experiences, full of tradition and ritual that is followed almost identically regardless of caste. At a village wedding in a poor rural place, you won't see all guests covered with gold and breathtaking sarees, but the same sense of tradition and customs are incorporated. The lack of spirituality might lead people to depend on religion as a crutch or as a way they can pray for better lives, but other incidents are completely ridiculous. This also applies to western practice (I'm sure you've read stories online or in the news). Last week I read an article where two frogs were married and fashioned in a red wedding suit (complete with cape) and a red dress for the bride. The village Hindus who married these two amphibians were giving them to a specific god for more rain during the monsoon season. The ceremony took place on a rock in the woods and afterwards the frogs were released. The village had been experiencing a very dry season and their harvest was minimal. Whatever your belief or however you are practicing I just want to state that the mind is a very powerful tool that can be used constructively or destructively and avidly affect a person, group or situation.