Religion

The Dalai Lama once said that, “All major religious traditions carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion and forgiveness the important thing is they should be part of our daily lives”. Consequently in today’s environment, people are concerned about political correctness: religious references in public schools, for example, are not considered politically correct – schools shy away from references to any one religion, consequently leaving a vacuum in the education of virtues and morals. It is not a necessity to be religious to have values and morals, but the positive influence that a religious upbringing provides is invaluable.

The world is getting smaller and more diverse as technology has made it possible to be connected to each other like we have never been before. As we become closer to each other we have to learn to accept all types of race, religion and ethnicity, not just the ones of our immediate family and friends. Peace on Earth and within ourselves will only become a reality when we respect each other’s religious beliefs and ideologies. We feel that every human being – regardless of race or religion – deserves to live a decent life, unharmed and unrestricted by prejudice or violence. We all share the obligation of making the world a better place in any way we can. No matter what religion we may or may not belong to, we all must share this world and find a way to coexist for the greater good of mankind. If we were to put our differences aside and truly reflect on the similarities between most religions, we would find that we have a lot more in common than we could have ever imagined.

Solidarity within religions

Many religions – in order to promote self-identity, kinship, and solidarity – often regard fellow believers in the same religion as “brothers and sisters,” a seemingly harmless phrase that denotes closeness and intimacy, but which at the same time also isolates others not of their faith, separating them as outsiders or aliens.

Religions need to expand beyond the borders of their creed

Religions are benevolent institutions that promote love, peace, and harmony: however, due to the emphasis on their differences and their inherent solidarity, such promotion rarely extends beyond the borders of each creed. World peace and harmony cannot be achieved unless the values promoted in one religion are extended to include all religions and races.

Religion fosters seclusion

We have to learn to accept that not only those who share our race, our facial features, or our faith are our true family, but rather that everyone – since, in fact, we are all children of God – are our “brothers and sisters.” Peace on Earth will only become a reality when we believe that all children of God, regardless of race or religion, are our brothers and sisters.

Political correctness hinders religious values

In today’s environment, people are concerned about political correctness: religious references in public schools, for example, are not considered politically correct – schools shy away from references to any one religion, consequently leaving a vacuum in the education of virtues and morals.