Religious Harmony and Social Change
R. M.A., M.Ed., P.GD.P.V.Ed.,
Wickramasinghapuram
What is the goal of man?
To live in this world. What is the goal of life according to religions? We should live
well in this world and our soul should reach God. Each religion shows a different
way to unite with the soul and the Supreme Soul. In different religions, in different
ways, sages and saints have experienced God. They have realized the power of
God.
God is transcendent. He cannot be contained within the circle of a particular
religion. Thirumoolar, in his book Thirumantira, says, Who is God?
"Who knows our greatness? Who knows that greatness, whose breadth and length
are unfathomable, that vast curtain, whose roots are not revealed, is the one that is
revealed without any root."
An Islamic hymn also says about God, “God is infinitely merciful; He is
incomparable in love; He is the one who created the roaring sea and sees beauty;
He rules over the waves and the mountains; He is the one who fills the entire
universe.” A Christian hymn also says, “It is easy to bring a lifeless corpse to life.
It is easy for Jesus to cure incurable diseases with words.” Therefore, it is wrong to
say that God will only speak to me and listen to me. As Gandhiji said, we need a
global vision; we need a village-wide action.
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“We must have global vision and local action” There are many good values and
characteristics in religion too. We must know and understand them.
If we take Buddhism, there are values such as kindness, compassion, brotherhood
in Islam, love in Christianity, unity in Hinduism, devotion, bravery in Sikhism, and
selflessness in Jainism. “What color is the sky if there Is no one to see?” says Adi
Shankara. The good teachings and values taught by religions enrich human life by
emphasizing love for God and humanity. They sow the seeds for social progress.
When we forget this truth and become fanatical in our competitive attitude of self
and others without any religious affiliation, the basic purpose and sanctity of
religions become questionable.
When we cut eggplant, we do not throw away the whole eggplant because a part of
the eggplant is our property. We cut off part of the property and throw it away and
use the rest for cooking. We should not exaggerate the flaws In religions, but
accept the merits. It is important to go beyond religious tolerance and accept other
religions. We should also accept people of other religions as human beings.
Good aspects must be learnt from others.
“Whatever anyone says, it is the wisdom to see the true meaning of that thing,”
says Thiruvalluvar. Swami. “We need Islamic body and Vedantic mind”.
What is the tool for social change? Meaningful dialogue is needed within religions.
Dialogue within religions
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It is necessary to exchange good aspects and values through. To create peace
among religions, to remove tensions, to establish good understanding, and to gain
mutual respect, interfaith dialogue is necessary. Interfaith associations and
interfaith movements should be formed in every village. Interfaith prayers should
be held in schools and colleges and awareness should be created among the youth.
"Let us come together; let us talk; let us be of one mind; let us be of one heart"
says the Rig Veda, Chapter 10, Verse 191.
We see this in the Gospel of John, Chapter 17, Verse 21. "That they may all be one;
that they may all be one, Father, as you are in me and I in you, that the world may
believe that you have sent me."
The Holy Quran, Chapter 49, Verse 10, emphasizes that we should live in peace
and unity.
"All the believers are but brothers, so establish peace and harmony among
yourselves and fear Allah, that you may receive His mercy."
All religions should work together to find solutions to the common problems of the
world, for example, combating terrorism, protecting nature, and fostering human
relations.
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All religions should work together. We should all contribute to the development of
religious harmony and social progress. "It is better to be free from division than to
create divisions," says Nelson Mandela.
It is essential for everyone to be loyal to their own religion. At the same time,
respecting other religions and living together is very important for the unity and
integrity of the human race. We are all believers.
"Man looks for better methods God looks for better man Because man is God's
methods".
The glory of life is not in years! It is in the way we live!
The body may weaken - but
the soul will not weaken.
Thirumoolar
-Dr. M.V.
Even if we cannot help everyone, we should help at least a few poor people.
-Father Kausanal Adigalar
Knowledge without virtue is dangerous! Virtue without knowledge is useless!
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
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