The Role of Religion in Establishing Peaceful Coexistence in Society

Abstract

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The world has become a global village where an occurrence in one corner of the world has resounding effects in all the other corners. Therefore, the need to develop a positive attitude toward understanding and interaction among all the world religions has increased manifold, particularly in view of the grave nature of threats posed to global order and peace. This paper deals with the issues of religious bigotry, intolerance and misunderstanding toward other religions. Religion does not teach violence and antagonism to its followers. The primary and fundamental teaching of all world religions promotes love, compassion, tolerance, peace, mutual respect, understanding and cooperation. In the past, many efforts have been made to create harmony among the followers of different religions by eliminating their differences and their unique identities shaped by their respective religion through the imposition of a uniform religious structure. This paper explains that there is no need to eliminate religious differences and identities in order to establish a good society but it also emphasizes the need to develop
core respect and understanding the beliefs of others. These form the basis on which believers of different religions can live together. The followers of different religions and faiths need to join hands in initiating dialogue and interaction with each other in order to make this globe a peaceful place for every one regardless of his religion, creed and ethnic identities. This is the only way to eliminate the specter of terrorism and extremism.