Volunteering and Religion.

Just had an interesting conversation with a friend on Volunteering and Religion. So instead of writing the dialog again, thought of attaching the transcript here. Edited a little on names.

=======
Me:
But irrespective - that is one thing I want to learn from you three. Volunteering

Friend:
cool, come clean our back yard

Me:
in this age of all kinds of distractions of region/religion/caste/class you are spending your time with some noble cause.

Friend:
religion is not a distraction, because, My wife is also too much into religion

Me:
Sure. First I volunteer to clean 2400 Plentywood backyard

Friend:
region / caste / class ko goli maro
i would say, the only problem with you for time is kids
you got to spend time with them

Me:
Religion is - I feel a weapon is getting used both ways in this world

Friend:
yeah

Me:
I am surprised that 5 american citizens joining jihad

Friend:
i am confused about religion
with all the things that happen to me, i always thank god
but, thinking scientifically or logically, some times i wonder is there really a god

Me:
That is a good topic. But if an anonymous guy is helping an oldage home, whom should they thank for?
Papa Bheethi and Punya Spporthi are two words that are very helpful

Friend:
nah, not a big deal, i don't think you are really doing a big deal by volunteering
may be, something is better than nothing, but,

Me:
inclination to do good things and reluctant to do bad things all part of religion

Friend:
if you compare with what some others do, we are nothing

Me:
But good thing sir

Friend:
i can tell you one thing, generally we are selfish, whether you do a little bit of volunteer work or not
i would say, if you can really be selfless, that is wonderful
as long as that does not happen, we are doing our job in this mundane world, that's it

Me:
for me - selfless thing is divine but a little is needed as that doesn't bring any development. Selfish or I may call one liking self more is definitely needed otherwise there are no human relations. How can we assume a family or society around selfless people.

Friend:
yeah, i agree, so, usually there is no one who is totally selfless, so, what i am saying is, we all are more or less the same
but, one reason why i do volunteer work is,
i somehow feel that is time well spent,
even better than going to a temple or church
My wife does not agree though
given an option, i would only go to church once in a while
but my dear wife drags me every week there

Me:
general ga anthe. One is more religious than other in family

Friend:
for us, the biggest fight at home is always around religion
i some how tie up caste and religion together
and she does not like it
i say, you should ignore both caste and religion
and she is fine with caste, but she is not fine with religion
she thinks christainity is the best way

Me:
I agree with her.
They are separate

Friend:
probably, the only thing i do not like about any religion is, you got to let others have their way, instead of saying you are the best

Me:
Frankly, that is what most religions say

Friend:
yeah, that's the reason i have a problem

Me:
and that truth is being twisted by the middle people

Friend:
growing up, i have seen the same kind of issue with caste also in our world
so, i kind of put them together

Me:
can you send me the transcript of this? Click on the mail icon on right top of this chat window and send it to me. If you switch windows you loose

Friend:
why so

Me:
just send me the transcript. One of the useful chats so I want to add it to my blog - if you don’t mind