Conviction Vs. Devotion

Conviction and Devotion seems like synonyms. Conviction in something can be considered as Devotion, and vice versa. But the difference between two words, if seen through real life examples, becomes quite apparent. This doesn’t mean these two words denote opposite spectrum. They can be consider as counter-weights. Let’s try to first figure out the differences.

Devotion to God, for example, is seen as a spiritual way to life. Conviction in God can lead people to do horrific crimes in the name of God. Devotion is a personal choice, a personal issue. There is not competition with anyone; there is no comparison with others. Conviction makes people take obligatory moral high ground in comparison with others. ‘I believe in this and I know this is a better thinking line than yours.’ ‘I know I am correct and I know you are wrong.’ This sort of conviction brings humans back to realm of harsh reality. Or perhaps, it creates harsh realities. Devotion on the other hand has power to lift the soul to higher bliss that can transcendence any sort of division and helps identifying individual with greater power. Mere conviction needs defense to survive while Devotion thrives on embraces. Devotion inspires people rather than imposing ideologies.

Conviction helps individuals dissociating themselves from their acts – mostly satanic acts. The thinking line is that this sort of thing has to be done. For the betterment of humanity, this killing has to be done. For the better future this cleansing has to be done. Hitler for example was convinced that his is the superior race and with this conviction he proceeded to slaughter millions of people. Spanish conquistadors were convinced that their faith is the only faith to be followed and with this conviction they wiped off native races of American continent. It blinds people to think rationally, see clearly and act without prejudices. The irony is that conviction drugs people into belief that their heavily prejudiced acts are in fact best example of unpartisan behavior. Conviction makes people see world in only one way. If that’s not the case then they go to any extent to make it their way. To motif is to stand corrected is the only aim and any other way is starkly sacrilegious.

In spite of differences I think conviction is a first step towards devotion. An individual needs to believe in something to begin with. But then he needs to understand the reasons behind his beliefs. If he stops there and becomes rigid, then the belief system won’t stand against the tide of time. Of course, there will be damage. If that person continues his journey by refining his thought process; continues to believe that there still lays unexplored territory in his mind and the ultimate aim of mind is to search for truth then conviction becomes devotion. Such thought process doesn’t try to proselytize others. It attracts people with its intelligent fragrance.

This I think should be the goal for everyone.