نور وجدان
لائبریرین
My Words Published in English Newspaper, Pakistan Observer .
MISINTERPRETING RELIGION
Tassawur Bosal
Mandi Bahauddin
Tuesday, August 11, 2015 -
Religion is an instrument of peace, harmony and stability in the world. It brings discipline and order in the lives of the people, imparts them hope and optimism and consoles hapless and destitute strata of society. None of the religions encourages violence or violation of human sanctity. However, unfortunately religion has often been misused by certain elements for the fulfillment of their nefarious designs and has been proving detrimental to world peace and stability.
Global terrorism today poses an existential threat to world peace and this barbarism and insanity is being perpetrated in the name of religion. In past, the desires of foreign occupations to uphold the superiority of one religion over the other, led to many deadly wars; and peace remained an elusive dream. Today on account of misuse and misinterpretation of religious injunctions, radicalization is on a constant rise, minorities are being persecuted, sectarian clashes are increasingly jolting the world peace , rights of women are being infringed and progress in the fields of science, art and literature is being resisted. However, It is not the religion, but misuse and misinterpretation of the religion which has wreaked all the havoc.
However, if a meaningful interfaith and intra - faith dialogue is initiated, longstanding international conflicts are resolved judiciously and socio-economic and politico - religious grievances of the aggrieved factions are addressed, the perpetrators of violence can be rendered bereft of excuses to misuse religion for the furtherance of their ignominious designs. In this regard it is the dire need of the time that media eschews jingoism and hate speech and helps in defusing tension along ethical and ideological lines and the moderate scholars play their due role in reinvigorating the true spirit of the religion among the followers of various faiths. In this way, an ambiance of tolerance, harmony and peaceful coexistence can be cultivated and the globe can be made a better place of living for entire humanity.
MISINTERPRETING RELIGION
Tassawur Bosal
Mandi Bahauddin
Tuesday, August 11, 2015 -
Religion is an instrument of peace, harmony and stability in the world. It brings discipline and order in the lives of the people, imparts them hope and optimism and consoles hapless and destitute strata of society. None of the religions encourages violence or violation of human sanctity. However, unfortunately religion has often been misused by certain elements for the fulfillment of their nefarious designs and has been proving detrimental to world peace and stability.
Global terrorism today poses an existential threat to world peace and this barbarism and insanity is being perpetrated in the name of religion. In past, the desires of foreign occupations to uphold the superiority of one religion over the other, led to many deadly wars; and peace remained an elusive dream. Today on account of misuse and misinterpretation of religious injunctions, radicalization is on a constant rise, minorities are being persecuted, sectarian clashes are increasingly jolting the world peace , rights of women are being infringed and progress in the fields of science, art and literature is being resisted. However, It is not the religion, but misuse and misinterpretation of the religion which has wreaked all the havoc.
However, if a meaningful interfaith and intra - faith dialogue is initiated, longstanding international conflicts are resolved judiciously and socio-economic and politico - religious grievances of the aggrieved factions are addressed, the perpetrators of violence can be rendered bereft of excuses to misuse religion for the furtherance of their ignominious designs. In this regard it is the dire need of the time that media eschews jingoism and hate speech and helps in defusing tension along ethical and ideological lines and the moderate scholars play their due role in reinvigorating the true spirit of the religion among the followers of various faiths. In this way, an ambiance of tolerance, harmony and peaceful coexistence can be cultivated and the globe can be made a better place of living for entire humanity.
