Control

 You know what you should do? There is a key marked ctrl in the bottom line of keyboard. Look at that key, remove it and keep it in your pocket. That way you will always have control. 

Yes, the joke is as lame as it gets. Because control you can't - not your life, not others, not even your spouses and children. 

But I think  there is a major difference between a devout and a skeptic which is the worry about control or lack there of.

A devout, religious person knows that nothing is under his control. He accepts this fact wholeheartedly and in fact rejoices it. If he has any good fortune, he praises God. Prays him extra hours. And if he has some bad luck, some thing bad happens to him, he says our merciful God is punishing him. For, did he not commit some sin the other day? He had prayed less mantras last week. He forgot to fast on an Ekadashi. And he could not visit the MahaGanapati temple for over a month. These are his sins and he deserves this punishment. And he cries and prays even more telling God that he will be more devout, more praying and very careful. Could the God please - please please please forgive him?

But the non-believer does not believe that the control of his life is in the hands of the God as he has no God. When something goes right, he rejoices for a second,then starts wondering how ephemeral this happiness must be and laments how nothing good in this world ever lasts. But when he faces difficulties, he keeps asking why, why, why? What is the reason for this undeserving pain? What wrong did he do? If nothing, how can things go bad? Where is the fairness and justice in this world?

And non-believer has another burden. He keeps worrying about the wrongs which in no way concern him. Like environment, the oppression of minorities world over, the miseries of poor, and the reign of several - most, countries by self serving populist politicians who are hell bent on destroying the world. 

Does that mean that the religious people  not empathize with the poor and oppressed?  Of course, they do. They do cry for them, but they believe in words such as fairness and  justice. And they think that God will save everyone in the end. In the end.( May be in another world?)

So both realize too well that control is never in their hands. But the first category constantly fret over it and the wise second category offer everything to God saying Krishnarpanamastu.

Am I converting to the ever growing world of religious people? Of course, I try very hard to. I do want to have slightly peaceful life after all. But I am unable to believe.