Personal religion matters to the people who believe in their faiths. While some faiths may allow for a level of tolerance and acceptance towards individuals or group beliefs in a variety of faiths, there are others who hold within a cornerstone of their faith that their own religious path is the only way.
The human condition is rife with religious discord and unfortunately it is those who have the tolerant faiths who sometimes find themselves fighting for their right to believe in what they do.
Does it matter on a personal level if your neighbor is of a different faith? Does it matter that a politician or other public servant has a faith that is not like your own? It shouldn’t matter at all.
The only time it should matter to you or anyone else of a varied religious preference is when our society forces us to stand up for what we believe in when held under laws or other societal pressure to convert for the sake of being seen as a valuable member of whatever society it is that we live in.
Being forced to believe what the social majority tells us that we should believe is a direct violation of human rights and yet it happens everyday, in every society around the world. When will the time come when those of different faiths will just accept various religious paths as a personal choice and leave it at that?
This post is just a reflection of what is on my mind at the moment. There are times when, in covering religious news around the world where I feel deeply sadden by the attacks in the name of religion that occur across the planet.
There are moments, like this one where I wonder why is it that some people cannot accept religious differences and work together to make their communities better for all human beings and not just some of particular faiths. Why do some people feel threatened by others who do not share the same spiritual path as they do? And why do some people feel the need to outright condemn others of various religions? I do not know. I wish I did know sometimes and I wish that there were times when I could help those who have such religious conflicts find general acceptance of their fellow human beings…
Comment by Chris — October 25, 2008 @ 2:37 pm
The intolerance of Islam will not change as non-Muslims are considered second class citizens under Islam.
Comment by LauraJeanKarr — October 27, 2008 @ 4:42 pm
Chris,
The same can be said for the Christian faith. Please, think about that before grouping everyone who is a Muslim into one category that fits your personal world view.
Laura