Mary and Martha were having a discussion in the coffee shop. They’d just met fifteen minutes before and had been chatting about the debate between Obama and McCain. Mary said, “Well, seems we agree about who to vote for. What are you doing Sunday morning? I’d love to talk again—maybe while we walk the lower trail in the Metro Park.” Martha said, “Oh, I’ll be going to church Sunday morning. How about Friday around noon?” Mary said, “Oh, I can’t, that’s our time for community prayer in the mosque.”
They chatted for a bit more but the conversation withered away into banalities and, by the time they parted, both knew there would be no lasting friendship.
From the Jerusalem Post: “The reality of today’s Middle East is the same centuries-old one of ethnic and religious strife that extends far beyond the borders of the State of Israel.”
From the Egyptian Daily News: “Rashwan rather blamed Israel for creating ‘civil and religious strife between the different Arab countries.'”
From the Times of India: “Barely eight months after it was ravaged by attacks on Christians, Kandhamal is back in the headlines as a symbol of religious strife. For more than a week now, Kandhamal’s Christians have been brutalized, their homes pillaged and burnt, chased into the forests, left to languish in relief camps.”
It’s a shame about Mary and Martha. They were headed toward a beautiful friendship but, because they adhered to different Faith traditions, they sacrificed fresh happiness and sharing.
Well, at least they didn’t start butchering each other’s families and friends…
How long has humanity been killing in the name of religion?
How many mothers have lost children because of religious dogmatism?
How many children have been orphaned because of political decisions empowered by absurdly false religious doctrines?
It’s no wonder so many people will say, “Oh, I’m definitely a spiritual person. I’m just not religious.”
Is there some way to practice a religion (including, of course, a spiritual life) and not exclude other people, not see those in different religions as evil, not try to keep the All-Loving God in an armored box locked tightly in a room of the ego?
Spiritual Quotes:
“That the divers communions of the earth, and the manifold systems of religious belief, should never be allowed to foster the feelings of animosity among men, is, in this Day, of the essence of the Faith of God and His Religion. These principles and laws, these firmly-established and mighty systems, have proceeded from one Source, and are rays of one Light. That they differ one from another is to be attributed to the varying requirements of the ages in which they were promulgated.”
Bahá’u’lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 13
“Religious strife, throughout history, has been the cause of innumerable wars and conflicts, a major blight to progress, and is increasingly abhorrent to the people of all faiths and no faith. Followers of all religions must be willing to face the basic questions which this strife raises, and to arrive at clear answers. How are the differences between them to be resolved, both in theory and in practice? The challenge facing the religious leaders of mankind is to contemplate, with hearts filled with the spirit of compassion and a desire for truth, the plight of humanity, and to ask themselves whether they cannot, in humility before their Almighty Creator, submerge their theological differences in a great spirit of mutual forbearance that will enable them to work together for the advancement of human understanding and peace.”
The Universal House of Justice, 1985 Oct, The Promise of World Peace, p. 3
“There can be no doubt whatever that the peoples of the world, of whatever race or religion, derive their inspiration from one heavenly Source, and are the subjects of one God. The difference between the ordinances under which they abide should be attributed to the varying requirements and exigencies of the age in which they were revealed. All of them, except a few which are the outcome of human perversity, were ordained of God, and are a reflection of His Will and Purpose. Arise and, armed with the power of faith, shatter to pieces the gods of your vain imaginings, the sowers of dissension amongst you. Cleave unto that which draweth you together and uniteth you.”
Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 217
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Doesen’t this go to show,how parents instill all such to theire young..no wonder religions and faith of different people can’t get along,or be friends,due to these teachings ..very sad indeed,my comment on this is..
The weak can never forgive,is the attribute of the strong.
Yes, Catherine, we must be strong to forgive !!!
The fact is most religions could find commonality in both word and expectation…
http://www.acommonword.com/
ravenscawl,
Thank you the heads-up on that site!!!
Here’s a similar one from the Baha’is: http://reference.bahai.org/en/t/bic/OCF/
I sent my buddy a link to your article and he appreciated it!
Efren,
Thanks for sharing it !
I think if all religions would focus on how everyone should love and respect one another vs. which one is right or wrong, then so much more of the world would live in harmony.
Kristi,
Seems to me you’re totally right!
If religion isn’t to spread love and harmony, we’re better off without it.
Pingback: Path Toward Peace ~Prologue « RAVENSCAWL
If religion is comprehen to compliment the almighty, nothing more is to worry about. The various culture practiced in each religion is also a major contribute to the diversity of acceptance of religion itself.
Aasha,
My current series of posts is an intensive look at religion…
War in the name of religion is a price we pay for the complexity of our ignorance. Failing to understand what is the common call of all religious teaching is where we’r opening the door for massive distruction.