Political activism through religion is not new. It has been practised through the millennium. Religious canon has been used to wage war and there are umpteen examples from the Christian Crusades to modern day convoluted version of militant Islamic jihad being practised in different parts of the world. Whether it is white supremacists, Hindu fanatics, Jewish expansionists and even neo Buddhists have advocated the use of violence and war to fulfill their goals.
We are at a critical juncture in the political history of the world with a pandemic raging across nations, economies sagging and hope sinking with increasing job losses and nothing anew in sight. Leaders with a complete lack of a transformative vision are lending their voice to extremists through religious discourse.
The fractured social fabric is visible even through the effort of dealing with the COVID19 pandemic. The toxic mix of politics and religious activism has created a wedge between friends, neighbours, family members and work colleagues. Kindness and goodwill seems to evaporate at intersection of politics and religion. Neither reinforcing the goodness within the other.
The self defeating politicisation of religion has wrecked havoc on believers in morality, ethics and basic humanity. It has raised numerous questions of the clergy class and their immediate support system that reinforces Institutional supremacy at the cost of the truth. A majority of faith followers are gradually slipping in to the maddening discourse of reviving supremacy by capturing state power and its resources to propagate their self serving goals.
Concerted effort is required for decoupling the deeply nourishing spiritual aspects of religion from the power hungry revisionist view being pushed by the narrow minded few. The quest for power and material wealth within religious congregations is driving the conscientious seeker away from the quest for the truth.
The truth of our existence can be realised through contemplation and meditation. It can only be realised by consciously denying the need to pander to our fears and insecurity. In denying our cravings and desires, we ignite the wisdom of saints and sages.
The universal knowledge propagated by the spiritual masters has nourished our existence through the ages during the worst of turmoil. We must reflect as individuals and as collectives, to say no to mindless quest for power over others especially those who are weak and suffering. Deep reflection is bound to preserve the humanitarian values within ourselves, one that will ensure, no harm comes to the innocent.
We must invoke the true spiritual quest within ourselves. Only then can we rise above our base nature to become better human beings. In doing that we will collectively become evolved and sentient towards others. For that we must, depoliticise religion, return it to the spiritual roots. Only then we will be able to pursue the path of truth and eternal peace within ourselves. The path to peace in the external world begins with the quest for peace within.
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We are at a critical juncture in the political history of the world with a pandemic raging across nations, economies sagging and hope sinking with increasing job losses and nothing anew in sight. Leaders with a complete lack of a transformative vision are lending their voice to extremists through religious discourse.
The fractured social fabric is visible even through the effort of dealing with the COVID19 pandemic. The toxic mix of politics and religious activism has created a wedge between friends, neighbours, family members and work colleagues. Kindness and goodwill seems to evaporate at intersection of politics and religion. Neither reinforcing the goodness within the other.
The self defeating politicisation of religion has wrecked havoc on believers in morality, ethics and basic humanity. It has raised numerous questions of the clergy class and their immediate support system that reinforces Institutional supremacy at the cost of the truth. A majority of faith followers are gradually slipping in to the maddening discourse of reviving supremacy by capturing state power and its resources to propagate their self serving goals.
Concerted effort is required for decoupling the deeply nourishing spiritual aspects of religion from the power hungry revisionist view being pushed by the narrow minded few. The quest for power and material wealth within religious congregations is driving the conscientious seeker away from the quest for the truth.
The truth of our existence can be realised through contemplation and meditation. It can only be realised by consciously denying the need to pander to our fears and insecurity. In denying our cravings and desires, we ignite the wisdom of saints and sages.
The universal knowledge propagated by the spiritual masters has nourished our existence through the ages during the worst of turmoil. We must reflect as individuals and as collectives, to say no to mindless quest for power over others especially those who are weak and suffering. Deep reflection is bound to preserve the humanitarian values within ourselves, one that will ensure, no harm comes to the innocent.
We must invoke the true spiritual quest within ourselves. Only then can we rise above our base nature to become better human beings. In doing that we will collectively become evolved and sentient towards others. For that we must, depoliticise religion, return it to the spiritual roots. Only then we will be able to pursue the path of truth and eternal peace within ourselves. The path to peace in the external world begins with the quest for peace within.
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