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Spirituality
The Utopian
Dream
The similarities among the
sub-divisions of religions are easy to see. For example between the
Catholic and Protestant faiths. There are so many similarities between
such sub-divisions of religions that it might be easier for one to just
list the differences. Some similarities include praying in the same
manner and language, praying in virtually the same setting or place of
worship, celebrating the same holidays and even praying to the same god.
One may feel that these similarities only exist among sub-divisions of
religions, however some similarities among totally different religions
are pretty obvious as well. For example, most religions pray to one god,
they have one book of worship, they celebrate holidays (sometimes for
the same reason and the same time) and most religions have some sort of
a period where the worshipers punish themselves in return for
forgiveness from sins.
A rhetorical question arises
then: If so many similarities exist, why cannot sub-divisions among
religions – if not all religions across the board – break down the barriers
that exist among them and become one? I have attempted to answer this
question and also tried to show the positive and negative effects of the
unification of religions.
The positive effects of the unification of religious sub-divisions and all
religions overall are pretty clear and obvious. One of the most beneficial
and obvious effects would be the unity among people who share the same
religion. The bond among all Muslims or among all Protestants is apparent,
the same way if, for example, Protestants and Catholics were to end their
quarrels and settle their differences from about 500 years back, they too
could share a strong bond. The bond I speak of is the sense of belonging
and brother hood that all Muslims share amongst themselves. The same would
be true if all Christians, Jews and Muslims would unite together and
settle their differences and become united.
These last two statements bring a somewhat saddening and interesting
point. As we know, these three religions, the Muslim, Christian and Jew
faith, at one time in Spain dwelled together without problems or conflict.
Further the beliefs that these religions are based on are virtually the
same. It is so sad to see that many religious conflicts that exists today
are not because of some recent events, but are results of disharmony that
occurred centuries ago. Why when we live in a different era, facing
different problems, do fanatics hold on to these conflicts and continue
senseless battles over issues that are no longer relevant? If society
overall would in a sense forgive and forget the happenings of the past,
they could unite and join efforts in solving the more relevant issues and
problems of the present. Unification of religions would also in a sense
eliminate another reason for battle. If society can recognize and accept
another faith for that matter another way of life, at least we don't have
to worry about religious fanatics waging wars by exploiting the word of
religion. I also feel that with unification of religions there would be a
sense of brotherhood created among all men, again reducing the chance of
conflicts spurred by the word religion.
However if one looks at all possible results of this unification there are
some very disastrous effects that are possible. These effects, could in
fact worsen the state of society instead of helping it. To understand
these points we must first examine one of the main reasons as to why we
have sub-divisions and overall distinct religions. One must not be naïve
and think of religion as merely a faith that is practiced by its
followers. It is obvious that society and even the environment, in which
one dwells affect the way one lives, even further it affects the religion
one practices.
Take for example a society in a desert where water is very scarce and at
the same time consider a society that dwells in a tropic setting where
water is plentiful. Now for the sake of argument if a religious practice
calls for the pouring of water on idols, obviously the society that exists
in the desert will have a tough time to do this. Therefore it is important
to note that society and the environment in which one lives have a great
affect on religion therefore sometimes making it impossible for a society
to practice certain rituals because of constraints. Keeping this in mind I
feel that societies in confining to their environments have adapted
religious rituals, further changed religions overall to fit their
resources. This is one difficulty I see in unifying religions and their
sub-divisions, which initially may have been created to adapt to
environmental and social constraints.
As we see even today there are many conflicts among believers of the same
faith, especially evident among Muslims. One sector of the faith sometimes
feels that the tradition is being practiced in too rigid a manner while
another might feel that it is being practiced too loosely. This reason for
conflict will become more of a problem if the unification of all religions
and their sub-divisions occurs. Another problem I see in the unification
of all religions is the possible loss of the identity, which one may have
because of his/her religion and further how he/she practices.
The main reason for the sub-division among religions and for that matter
the creation of two different religions, doesn't all depend on the beliefs
of the different faiths, but as stated earlier also depends on society and
the constraints of environments in which one dwells. Therefore I feel that
religion cant be just seen as practice of certain rituals and beliefs, but
religion has a lot to do with many factors including the society, time and
environment in which one lives in.
Taking this into consideration I feel it is realistically impossible for
this utopian dream of the unification of religions. In order to achieve
this we need to first change our views. If one remains narrow-minded,
ignorant and intolerant of others this dream is impossible. We need to be
able to accept others and realize that practices of all other faiths are
equal to ours no matter how odd they may seem to us. We must be able to
give just as much importance to other as we give to our beliefs and
ourselves. Further I think religion should not be exploited and used for
material gain. t is always sad to see one bring the word of religion in
battles where it doesn't belong, such as politics. Even more I am saddened
by people who hold on to conflicts that occurred centuries ago to use as a
scapegoat to be intolerant towards others.
If all these ills of society can be resolved, would we really need a
unification of religions? By correcting ourselves have we not achieved the
utopian dream without having to actually achieve it? I feel that it is
important we have these distinctions in religions because that is what
makes us unique and special in our way. However before we conclude that it
is our right to practice our religion we need to acknowledge first that it
the right of others to practice their own religions.
– Anmol Chowdhry
June 15, 2000
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