KATHMANDU, Sept 12: The world, time and again, has been rocked by the typhoons of religious intolerance. As a consequence, violent repercussions such as ethnic clashes and even terrorism have been evident. Religion developed as a guideline to humans as civilization flourished.
Different religions exist due to diverse opinions of various groups. Religious intolerance is nothing more than a battle of ideologies over whose ideology is better.
Therefore, in the light of various religious conflicts in various parts of the world, the conflict seems futile as it is the demonstration of a dogmatic approach that people cannot tolerate others’ views.
Religion emerged in the society in the course of societal development to explain the unknown and to establish order. Humans, as they were baffled by various natural phenomena, endeavored to explain them. Thereby, various concepts of gods, heaven and hell might have emerged. The primary objective of all religions is the perpetual well being of human beings albeit religions differ in their explanations.
Superiority complex is responsible for religious intolerance. People believe that their religion is better than that of others and cannot tolerate the co-existence of other religions.
There have been numerous incidents of conflict between Hindus and Muslims in India and during the course, several temples and mosques were destroyed. Why? Was it because the practitioners of the other religion affected them? It happened because they could not tolerate the existence of other religion due to their superiority complex.
Religious intolerance is unjust because we must be able to respect others’ ideologies and not discard them. Furthermore, religions as they were developed in the past contain certain objectionable ideas.
The “Earth is flat” concept of Christianity was discarded in the 15th century. In fact, all the religions have certain loopholes and are composed of some mythologies.
The progress of science has collided strongly with some religious beliefs. In that context, it doesn’t seem reasonable to argue over the theories put forward by various religions and squabble over them.
Religious intolerance has unfortunately surged in the world due to the inability of humans to accept others’ views. Therefore, in the light of these reasons, the amount of bloodshed in the name of religion seems completely unacceptable as religious intolerance is a mere difference in opinion.
The writer is an A-Level graduate from Chelsea International Academy in Kathmandu.
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