DOES GOD PUNISH THE WRONG DOERS ?- by N.S.Venkataraman
Most religions , other than Buddhism , aver that there is a Creator for the cosmos (Universe) that include earth, sun ,moon ,stars as well as water ,fire and so on , apart from humans , animals and other creatures , tree, plants etc. However, Buddhism does not accept a single, eternal creator that rules the universe. In English language , the Creator is termed as God and there are several other names in other languages .
In any case, most religions, other than Buddhism , insist that the ultimate objective of humans must be to attain the feet of God. Buddhism does not accept that humans should reach the feet of God, as it is fundamentally a non-theistic tradition that does not believe in a supreme, creator God, nor does it view reaching such a Creator as the ultimate goal of human existence.
In any case, there is no difference between the religions including Buddhism about the need for observing the value systems in life by adhering to truth , compassion, ill will towards none and avoidance of greed and violence . Buddhism focuses on personal responsibility, self-transformation, and inner awareness to end suffering. .
Further, most religions including Islam and Christianity advocate the concept of hell and heaven and insist that wrong doers would be punished by being sent to hell and those observing truth would go to heaven. In the case of Hindu religion, it is said that the rebirth would take place and the wrong doers would be punished in the subsequent birth and those observing truth would be rewarded in the subsequent birth. Further, Hinduism stress that those with uncompromising observance of truth and lead blemish less life would ultimately merge with God and would have no rebirth. Probably, in the process, the religions inject some sort of fear amongst the wrong doers !
Billions of people around the world owe allegiance to one religion or the other and simply accept the call of the religions to surrender to God totally and fully.
However, question still remains as to whether God really punish the wrong doers , as claimed by the religions. No one knows whether Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin and others who have been ruthless dictators are now staying in hell. Similarly , no one knows whether Nelsen Mandela , Martin Luther King , Mother Theresa and other good people are now staying in heaven. Again, no one knows whether Mahatma Gandhi, respected as apostle of peace and who believed in Hindu religion, has now become one with God without rebirth.
In any case, in day today life, we often see good people adhering to truth and honesty suffering from physical ailment or mental distress due to one reason or the other and those known to be corrupt and criminals , enjoy the fruits of their dishonest actions and even occupying high positions in public life and even enjoying esteem in the society. What can one make of this situation ?
While billions of people follow various religions, even amongst such people dishonest practices sometimes prevail , even as they visit the places of worship regularly.
We often hear that there are malpractices in the places of worship too by those who are responsible for administering the places of worship. Obviously, while these people have faith in God ,may be they seem to have no fear of being punished. Is it likely that they assume that their wrong doings would be condoned by God because they pray in the place of worship? This may be so , particularly since religions say that God is merciful and would stand by the devotees.
All said and done , the moot question remains whether God punishes the wrong doers.
