Religion is not a competition

2011 was a year that marked many prestigious achievements that have been garnered from all over the World, from the rise of even more advanced technology to new discoveries found.  Though that year was not all fun and games. We all were heavy with stunned expressions as we watched a tsunami of such enormity strike the very centre of growth and technology:  Japan. Our eyebrows raised as we learned a massive 7.2 earthquake shook eastern Turkey, and we were filled with sympathy when we saw Thailand threatened with a dangerous amount of flooding throughout the country. Yes, 2011 was a year where a number of events pushed people to realize that there is only one thing an individual can cling to: their religion.

Even though in one point of our lives we have sinned or defied the rules of our religion (or lack there of) in the end, we have sought comfort and reassurance when we hold our faith in our hearts.

Yet, if religion is supposed to be about love, kindness and forgiveness then why is that every time we turn to the media, there are discussions about the tension between two (if not more) religions? As if they were predicting that some demonic outburst were to surface in on of the religions just for sheer purpose of influencing people through hate and discrimination.

That being said, religion is not a competition. You don't win a golden medal for beating the other religions for being the most "devoted".  Society as a whole places this kind of structure of religious intolerance so that people can be consumed with paranoia and insecurity. Society (and this can't be denied) seems to have the knack of wearing the mask of peace, but at the end of the line, religions clash with one another, possibly destroying relationships and family values.

Why do we do this? If it is not for the sake of competition, could it be power? Power has been a particularly spontaneous struggle over the last year. We all want power; we all want to sit in the golden throne. Religion is unfortunately used as carte blanche for bad people to do terrible things in the name of all that is holy. Some people hurt others in the name of God and some people take revenge in the light of the Lord. Even if it isn't emphasized in the face of modern society, then it is surely headed that way.

The World works in such mysterious ways that sometimes we ourselves as individuals can't really comprehend it. I think that we need to spring into action: the community has to put differences aside. We all have to come to a realization that we are all humans on this earth regardless of religion. Danger happens inside an individual. It is the hatred and the anger that devours the judgment of a human. Now is the time to act.