Why do people with different religions hate each other?
I think it’s because the people fostering such hatred are not truly religious. Many people have a primitive, tribal “we-they” mindset. They see existence as a perpetual battle between “we” versus “they”, where “they” refers to their competitors or enemies. When religious zeal becomes superimposed on this tribal mentality, then the battle takes the form of “the good we” versus “the evil they”, where “they” includes all those who don’t follow “our true religion”. Once religious conflict gets rationalized as a battle against evil, then religionists become blinded to their own evil deeds, for they feel their “noble” ends justify any means, no matter how evil. However, this unfortunate situation arises only when the religion is not based on sound philosophy. We should all understand that all living beings are the beloved creations of one God and so, spiritually, we are all one family. Who of the said faithful has a problem with what I just said? If you do, you shouldn’t. I am a man of proof and not conjecture…but those who follow my postings already know this.
I see or view people in three very basic & general categories. I think that these three categories are very clear and precise. Those affected by goodness are characterized by knowledge, thoughtfulness and satisfaction; those affected by passion are characterized by cravings for pleasure, power and prestige; and those affected by ignorance are characterized by laziness, intoxication and violence. Point blank and to the point.
Beyond goodness is transcendence, which bestows the enlightened vision to practically see the loving relationship among all living beings. The more people are infected by passion and ignorance, the more they tend to support evil. The more they are permeated by goodness and transcendence, the more they gravitate to good.
All people, including religious people, are infected by this world we live in and are accordingly good and/or evil to varying degrees. Various religions are essentially like different hospitals meant to cure people of their infection and/or afflictions. Just as patients don’t get cured merely by entering into a hospital, religionists don’t get “saved” just by stamping themselves as belonging to a particular religion. They will be saved only when they diligently practice their religious disciplines like prayer, worship, meditation, charity, and changing of their poor character. Unfortunately, not understanding or practicing the essentials of their own religion, the superficial religionists imagine that other religionists are evil, when they themselves are gripped by evil qualities. Just something to think about.
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