India is in a time where it’s losing its secular environment and religious tolerance. The past and recent attacks on Churches, the RSS comments on Mother Teresa, the comments on Muslims by Hindu fundamentalists and so on, proves that India is in a disturbed state and the reason for all this is religion and if at all there’s going to be a war in future then it will be in the name of religion. Religion has been a reason of division for a long time and many great thinkers have sought to build unity in diversity, but efforts have failed. I feel that more than just philosophies and thoughts that can inspire a few, it’s time to do something practical that will help everyone to understand. What we need are inter-religious dialogues where people from various religions meet and discuss and study each others’ religions. Condemning someone for his beliefs or religion won’t lead us anywhere.
Schools need to introduce some kind of education on religions where they learn the history and basic beliefs and practices of all religions.
Mathew Almeida, Bastora
