“That which divides the religions and sects of the world is interpretation of passages and similar symbols contained in the Holy Books and disagreements over the meanings within each. Based upon limited human understanding, they become crystallized into dogma, which the succeeding generations follow as time-honored tradition. Those who would make a different interpretation of great signs and symbols too often branch off in their own direction to further sub-divide the original Teachings.”
Thus as we see each religion claiming to have the only truth, we are subsequently witnessing hundreds of sects (at best) with differing interpretations stemming from the simple teachings of One Manifestation of One God-each applicable to the exigencies of that particular era.
Similarly, unless the causes of warfare are removed there can be nothing in store for humanity but a series of ever increasingly devastating wars! Yet there is no agency known to man capable of stilling the causes of hatred other than the love of God, expressed through love of one’s fellowmen–which stands above all other loyalties and/or beliefs.
Religion, in its original purity, has always been the cause of unity and love. If this were not so, then it would be but one more source of strife.
By learning about other great world religions, people are able to see similarities, where formerly they imagined only differences. Unfortunately, prejudices keep many people at the level of tolerance. This, of course, is far better than warfare, but it still falls far short of unity and is far from the religious zeal that originally established these religions in the world.
More recently has been added to January’s uniqueness, observance of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. world renowned “Drum major for justice and peace.”
Among the innumerable pearls of wisdom stressed by Dr. M.L.K, Jr. (especially applicable in this day) are his remarks: “The thing we must be concerned about if we are to have peace on earth and goodwill towards men, is the nonviolent affirmation of the sacredness of ALL human life! Everyone is a child of God, made
in His image and therefore must be respected as such! Until we see this mutual respect everywhere, we will continue fighting wars. If we don’t have goodwill towards men in this world we will destroy ourselves by the misuse of our own power. Wisdom born of experience should tell us that war is obsolete!
The genius of these words becomes more apparent with time as more sophisticated weaponry and other excelling costs of war (especially in loss of lives on all sides) strain national budgets and destroy national and international confidence.
“We have experimented with non-violence in our struggle for racial justice in the United States,” stated Dr. King in is Christmas Eve speech of 1967. “Now the judgment of God is upon us and we must either learn to live together as brothers or we are going to perish together as fools.”
It would behoove each of us to resolve to memorize and internalize the following immortal Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi:
“Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow Love; Where there is injury, Pardon; Where there is doubt, Faith; Where there is despair, Hope; Where there is darkness, Light; Where there is sadness, Joy O Divine Master grant that I may seek, not so much to be consoled as to Console; to be understood as to Understand; to be loved as to Love. For it is in giving that we Receive; It is in pardoning the we are Pardoned; It is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.”
