Writings-Religious Tolerance

There are literally thousands of religions practiced around the world. Some are more well known and have millions of followers. Others are isolated in small villages or within family groups and have fewer than a dozen people who accept and adhere to the specific theological principles. Some are considered dangerous cults, others as bastions of salvation. The one concept common to all of them is a belief in a single creative entity, the many-named “Divine Power”. Called God, Allah, Grandfather, Mother Life, and dozens of other names, this entity is recognized in some way, shape, or form by all people who proclaim religious beliefs. From ancient times to present, humankind has exhibited an inherent knowledge of some form of guiding power.

The expression of this inner knowledge has always come in the form of religion. However, just as customs, dress, and music developed individually among the different peoples as a result of their specific needs and beliefs, so did their religious practices. As the experiences, environment, and social structure of the specific people varied, so did the expression of their religion. When cultures and communities depended on organized agriculture, they developed a reverence for deities based on their needs. Fertility of the fields and livestock was ensured by honoring the Earth Mother. The perfect balance between sun and rain was guaranteed by a Sky Father. As ‘civilized’ people became unethical, immoral, and offensive to each other and in each others’ eyes, a different type of deity was needed. A savior who represented light and good was countered by a fallen soul who represented darkness and evil.

Regardless of their differences, these holy beings were representative of the Ultimate Deity-the One Divine Power that transcends human consciousness. To bring this divine entity into the realm of human understanding, various pantheons were developed. Prophets, saviors, saints, and demi-gods were called upon as representative of the Divine.

When viewed from the perspective of any one of these many cultures or communities, can there be one “true, right, and only” religion? Can the religious beliefs developed by one group of people be considered superior to any others? Does the difference in form, function, and name of the holy ones change the underlying concept of One Divine Power? Should one group of people be persecuted and prosecuted for following their own beliefs rather than “converting” to the beliefs of a larger and more influential group?

In December, 1999, the second meeting of the Parliament of the Worlds’ Religions (PWR) took place in Cape Town, South Africa. There were nearly 7,000 delegates from religions around the world. The message of universal tolerance and anti-discrimination was emphasized throughout the proceedings. The goal of the PWR was to open a dialogue between the various religions. Although an Anglican Archbishop and a Jewish Rabbi expressed fundamentalist opposition, and Muslims lined the parade route with signs of protest, there were more than enough voices of interfaith acceptance to drown out the protesters.

Included alongside the well known Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist delegates were those representing the “Nature” or “Earth Spirituality” religions. These included Shamans of Native American faiths, Sangoma healers of traditional African religions, and High Priests and Priestesses of American, European, and Australian Pagan traditions. The national chairperson of the Council for African Traditional Religion, Ms. Nokuzola Mndende, defended the rights of the nature religions’ practitioners to be included in the PWR. She said, “It is the focus of religion to unite people-not to define others from one’s own perspective.”

Religion, nearly every one of which professes a basis in love, trust, and harmony, has been behind many of the most devastating moments in human history. The Crusades, Manifest Destiny, Witch Trials, Holocaust, Apartheid, and Jihad are all examples of the greatest form of discrimination - genocide. That some form of religious intolerance is common to all these acts of horror is, in my opinion, the greatest and most heartbreaking irony of humankind.

There are many proverbs, quotes, quips, and one-liners that, in some form or another, discourage what can only be called discrimination: All men are created equal, Judge not lest you be judged, Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, You can’t judge a book by it’s cover, etc. Unfortunately, many forget these sayings along with another: "History repeats its self.” It seems that humankind as a whole has spent too much time trying to justify atrocities committed against others and not enough time trying to find ways to prevent such horrors from being repeated.

Realizing the responsibility of various religions in regard to so much death and destruction, a case could be make for universal atheism. However, that ancient inner knowledge of a Divine Power is ever present. It provides a spark of hope in the face of such realizations. Hope that one day, the love, trust, and harmony professed by so many will become a truly lived way of life rather than a religious theory that is often expressed but rarely practiced with true conviction.

By Inona, 2000

NOTE: I wrote this in the late spring or early summer of 2000, over a year before the mass murders of 9-11-01. Please do not make the mistake of thinking that I am an anti-war pacifist who thinks we can talk nice to the Bin Ladens of the world and end the threat of future terrorism. Negotiations are not possible when suicidal fanatics label their hatred and jealousy as religion and deny roughly 3000 acts of cold blooded murder. There is no legitimate religion on this planet that condones the out-right murder of an entire society of fellow human beings.

All religions, regardless of their callings for peace, have provisions regarding self-defense and aiding those who are unable to defend themselves. I believe these provisions are being exercised out of necessity at this time, and I fully support the actions taken by President Bush and other world leaders.

Despite the current situation, I continue to believe the spark of hope shines on. (Revised March, 2002)