BY THE POWER OF RELIGION

BY THE POWER OF RELIGION

From the dangerous call given by the dead and dreaded terrorist Osama Bin Laden to muslims across the world to attack American interests from wherever they are - to the crores of people strong congregation at Allahabad for a holy dip in the Holy Ganga during Mahakumbh ; From the faith invested by perhaps well over a billion people in the authority of The Wise Pope as the holiest and most important man on Earth - to the fanatical and senseless destruction of Babri mosque by Hindu karsevaks at Ayodhya ; from the inner peace and tranquility experienced by lakhs of people who accomplish the mandatory and holy Haj - to the unjustified and often ruthless excesses being meted out by The Buddhist Bhutanese govt over Hindu nepali ‘immigrants’ - religion continues to dominate man, society and the global community for the bad or for good.

As we embrace the 21st century, the past baggage refuses to abandon us. Religion continues to be the most potent socio-political factor even in the new millenium. It comes back as a major cause of conflict in some of the major issues of the world namely - as a veiled conflict between West and Islam in the war on terror being waged by the USA and the European bloc, in the form of internal strains within the European union at the perceived prospects of increased and sutained immigration from Asian and African countries, as a potentially dangerous conflict between the two South Asian neighbours - India and Pakistan, which arguably has a communal undertone.

Religion is in reality a search of man for the unknown within, it is a connection with essence of nature, it is the end (result) of immense internal contemplation, it provides the higher meaning of life and the place of man in the world. It is the fountainhead of ethics and morality and the preserver of social order. But unfortunately religion has been given negative and violent assignments, it has been made into us vs them, while on the contrary it is all about self improvement and reformation. Religion as a vision is the great saviour, and religion as an imagination is the ultimate destroyer.

There are numerous religions in the world diverse, different, which have developed at different stages of times and in varying geographies - From the miniscule Jains to the mighty Christianity, from the relatively new born Bahai faith to the ancient Hinduism, from the hardcore logicist Scientology to the zealous and enthusiastic Islam. These religions symbolise moral and philosophical-ethical development of different branches of human races seperated by times and geographies. They all are like flowers that adorn this planet. They should be preached and practised in their correct prespective.

"Hinduism has tolerance, Buddhism is highly rational ; Christianity is progressive, Islam has strong theistic traditions ; Sikhism beleives in brotherhood, while Jainism is morally austere."

The politicians, administrators and policy makers of the world need to be careful in their attitude towards religion. Special responsibilty rests on the shoulders of the rich, developed and powerful countries of the world, as they are the people who can bring about big difference. Good points are to brought up, bad points must be ignored/removed. Suppression of religion is a big mistake, instead eliminate communalism, fundamentalism, superstition - the negative side of religion.

Religion will always remain man’s possession. It is the duty of enlightened people to see to it that it is not misused to serve vested interests. Only a world free of darker side of religion and full of true and right type of religion can usher in an era of peace, prosperity and happiness.

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