Religion

Religion. Why is it necessary and what are the parameters if any applicable.  The vedantist define it as a process of realisation of inner self. Temples , churches and mosques are the kindergarten of religion. They help a man to start thinking in this direction.  But he is not limited by it. He is to take it forward till the day he identifies all beings as himself.  Rituals and customs are the little baby steps that may help to keep the mind focused initially but may have to done away with in the road forward as the thinking starts expanding and I don't mean the intellect. Intellect can only take u as far as the senses perceive which is nothing compared to what they can't.  For the beyond you need religion not in the sense that it is meant nowadays but in a way that can help every individual identify the divinity within.
How do you identify you are becoming religious ? When you can't help being cheerful all the time , when you find you have nothing more to ask in your prayers , when you are not fascinated by all the materialism around , when the never-ending fascination of this material body is gone and when the ever-present fear of dying one day is gone. That day, my friend, you are becoming religious.