The function of religion has been
the subject of intense scrutiny in a world that is being increasingly
influenced by violent extremism and polarising ideologies. Although faith
traditions worldwide propagate the principles of compassion, justice, and love,
these traditions are frequently transformed into instruments of disharmony and
devastation. Rather than rejecting religion, the current necessity is to
revitalise it through education that has an impact on both the intellect and
the spirit. There is a possibility to plant seeds of peace that will grow into
a garden of unity, mutual respect, and inclusivity for all of humanity. It
redefines religion as a tool for unity by encouraging inclusivity and realising
God as Universal instead of a private possession.
There is never a vacuum
for religious radicalism. Usually, it starts with a misunderstanding of holy
books, of history, or of the other. When unchecked, these understandings become
hard dogmas, some strong beliefs, exclusive policies, and finally, hate. Where
religion is considered as private property and God is claimed by one group and
denied to another, extremism grows.
The problem is not religion itself but the misuse of religion; when intricate
spiritual traditions are simplified to black-and-white dogmas, when holy books
are taken literally without regard to context or compassion or critical
thinking, extremists disregard the overarching message of peace and mercy by
selectively selecting verses, ignoring the broader message of peace and
compassion. Such misreading of religion results from human weaknesses rather than
from any intrinsic nature of faith. Uncertain times can cause fear to overwhelm
compassion, and religion turns from a weapon for emancipation into one for
control. The effects are significant: wars carried out under the cover of
faith, communities split apart by sectarianism, and people turned radical by
stories of superiority. We must develop a new conception of faith that stresses
common humanity over division if we are to destroy extremism.
In such environments, religion turns from a bridge of hope into a wall of
terror.
Education, not
only intellectual learning but also development of the heart, is the most
powerful tool for bucking this tide of extremism. Real education must develop
empathy, critical thinking, interfaith awareness, and a strong respect for the
spiritual ideals that bind all people. It has to start early in homes,
classrooms, and places of worship, and then reach into the media, politics, and
the arts.
Imagine a curriculum that teaches youngsters not just to read and write but
also to reflect and relate—that every faith has the Golden Rule and that
compassion is not a weakness but rather the strongest human ability. Walls fall
apart when young people learn to perceive the divine light inside each human
being. The seeds of peace are sown when one realizes that the name God may
vary, but his essence is love.
The
conviction that God belongs to "us" rather than "them" is
among the most destructive ideas feeding fanaticism. A theological fallacy that
has to be destroyed is this idea of a private, community God favouring just one
people or custom. Beyond our restricted categories, God is the source and
summit of all life; he is not the ownership of any religion.
From Rumi, Francis of Assisi, Kabir, or Ramana Maharshi, mystics and saints
from every religion have testified to this universal God over history. They
lived out a radical inclusiveness rather than preaching conversion by coercion
or exclusion driven by fear. Their lives serve as a reminder that to really
know God is to be changed by love and that love should be shared with all
creation. We
must have a fresh perspective of religion, not as a fort to defend, but as a
wellspring from which to draw life-giving water for a thirsty planet if we are
to stop radicalism. Religion should be a shared ground upon which we kneel together
in contemplation, not a flag under which we march against one another.
This fresh perspective reinterpreted in the context of today's pressing needs
does not abandon tradition. It underlines the spirit over the law, compassion
over control, and togetherness over uniformity. It celebrates our differences
but resists, letting those distinctions separate us. It encourages dialogue
rather than debate and humility rather than arrogance.
The seeds
of peace require us to rethink religion as a tool for healing rather than
destruction. Through teaching one’s hearts against extremism, we create a
society in which God is a shared light instead of an exclusive possession and
faith creates bridges instead of walls. This concept of one humanity—united by
mutual respect, not uniformity—offers a road forward in a time of aggression.
We have to act deliberately and bravely if we are to realise this vision. Let's
empower our future generations with the ability to ignore fundamental
principles that separate, find the divine in others, and choose love over
violence. Let's help communities that promote diversity and leaders that set an
example of harmony. These seeds will sprout into a worldwide action that turns
war into peace and terror into hope. By sowing these seeds, we hope to create a
world in which everyone stands as one, constrained by love and driven by a
common sense of the holy.
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