Please don't call cricket a religion.

As per Wikipedia, Religion is the belief in and worship of a god or gods, or in general a set of beliefs explaining the existence of and giving meaning to the universe, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

Cricket is one of those ritual observances of India which unites its diversity into one. It has its own set of beliefs and it gives meaning to lives of many. It has score of devotees to the length & breadth of the country where people eat, drink, sleep, talk or rather live cricket. So can we call cricket a religion?Can we accept the cricket as a religion with all the flaws inherent in a religion?

If you ask me, my answer would be a straightforward no. I believe that world is much safer and better place to live without a religion.

Though religion is defined to be containing a moral code which governs the conduct of human beings and tries to curb the animal instincts with different concept of heaven and God,it also gives a chance to redefine and distort the very base of religion. It provides everyone a moral compass to tell how one should lead one’s life. Religion paves the path for redemption of souls and penance for the mistakes but for few vulnerable mortals, religion grows and it covers them to make them a fanatic.

With accepting cricket as a religion we have to accept the fanaticism it brings in. Sachinism is a bright example of cricket fanaticism taken the root from this religion. The fanaticism not only hinders to think constructively but also makes to argue incessantly about how only THE ONE can give you redemption if you are seeking one through cricket. This fanaticism leads them to demean and belittle every other mortal in the religion.

The fanaticism gives excessive intolerance for opposing views and often leads to unyielding and futile discussions and comparisons. Winston Churchill once described a fanatic as one who can’t change his mind and won’t change the subject.

Calling cricket a religion will not be of any help instead it will compartmentalize a nation on a number of deities. How ironic it is that cricket is called a religion for opposite reasons.

If cricket is religion then I will opt for atheism.