World of Philosophy

Author(s): Christopher Key Chapple, Intaj Malek, Dilip Charan, Sunanda Shastri, Prashant Dave
Publisher: Shanti Prakashan

Page 932

fundamentalists are killing hundreds of people in the name of particular religion. In such scenario, the fundamental question asked by the people is : if religions stand for peace and harmony, then why is there so much tension, violence and even war in the name of religion? Lots of debate is going on in intellectual circle whether religions, really help to promote peace and harmony in the society. Especially after September 11, 2001 attack on World Trade Centre, in New York, religion almost as in the medieval era has come to occupy the centre stage of global dialogue. Several interpretations about place of religion and its relevance in global affairs are being offered. To some, religion is fundamental source of discord, to some others; the emergence of religion to a place of primary in international affairs has come to denote clash of civilizations. Some people think that in the building up peace and harmony the religions of the world cannot help, they become part of the problem rather than finding solution. They give several arguments and instances to substantiate their view points:
1. Religion, instead of binding mankind together in ties of love and brotherliness has been cause of discord and strife between different groups of men, women community.
2. History tells that religions have caused tension, violence and war. Several times crusades and jihads fought in the name of religions but also persecution of individuals who had the courage to adopt and follow other religions or not conform to the tenets and practices of the orthodox within the fold of the same religion.
3. Religious differences often been and continue to be major cause of conflict, People in the name of one religion or another, sometimes brought distrust, discord, tension, conflict, pain and suffering to one another and to the wider world.
4. Religion offers a world view to a particular community and there by segregates it from the rest of humanity. It has thus, become a fertile ground or origin for prejudices, unilateral vision, intolerance and even antagonism.
5. Religion has served to fuel intolerance and discrimination in some cases of ethnic, racial and economic conflict. Sometimes misinterpreted or twisted religious considerations have been mixed with ethnic resentments and unhealed historical memories to generate or promote violence, tension and actual killings of fellow human beings.
6. The activities of religious extremists are seen as a proof that the promotion of peace does not come from religions. The religious extremists or fundamentalists do not hesitate to resort to repression, harassment, and blackmailing, kidnapping, even killing fellow human
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