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Can There be a Choice between Religion or no Religion : 117
from all the existing religions of the world. C. Creation of a new world-religion on the basis of some
common characteristics of all the living religions.
Now, the task before us is to examine all the three possibilities. If we analyse and examine the first view we would find that the followers of all the living religions would like to prove their own religion as the best religion of the world and also as the only deserving religion accepted as the universal religion. In this context I would like to quote the views of some Indian and Western thinkers. For example, W.E. Hocking a Christian thinker has announced that the Christian religion has all the qualities of universal religion and it will definitely play an important role in the eradication of social and religious evils. George Galloway is also of the same opinion. He said that only three religion of the world deserve to be universal religion. Buddhism, Islam and Christianity, but Christianity is best in comparison to Islam and Buddhism. Dr. S. Radhakrishnan an Indian thinker in the similar way had tried to prove Hinduism as the best possible example of world-religion. In his book 'Eastern Religions and Western
Thoughts' has presented Hinduism as a universal religion on the basis of its tolerance and generosity. Further he has tried to prove Vedantic religion as the most important universal religion for the mankind. 8
Actually, the followers of all the religions accept the supremacy of their own religion and may also claim it as one of the best choice for world-religion and peace. But this situation further dwells us in the state of conflict and communal hatred, so this option can not be accepted on rational grounds.
The second option i.e. creation of a new world-religion is also not convincing to our mind as the creation of such a religion different from all the existing religions will only add a new name in the current list and will not serve our purpose in any way, as it will also create the same problems of communal hatred and
