Rita Farhat Mukand
While these are some great potential benefits of religion enabling spiritual awakenings, and a higher moral life with brightening inner consciences, it’s essential to acknowledge that religion can also be misused and misquoted out of context to justify intolerance, violence, discrimination, and oppression.
Zephaniah 2:4-7 “No one will be left in the city of Gaza, and the city of Ashkelon will be destroyed. Ashdod will be empty by noon, and the people of Ekron will be chased away. How terrible it will be for you who live by the Mediterranean Sea, you Philistines!” This prophecy in the Old Testament as read in the Bible and the Jewish Torah refers to a specific time in that frame where the Prophet Zephaniah exhorts the people of Judah to repent to avoid the judgment of God upon Judah. He also compels the righteous within Judah to seek God, for perhaps He might hide them from suffering when Judah is judged.
These words have been taken out of context by religious extremists to justify the attack on Gaza. During the peak of the attack on Gaza in 2023, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted, “We are the people of the light, they are the people of darkness, and the light shall triumph over darkness — with a profound belief in the eternity of the Jewish people, we shall realize the prophecy of Isaiah. There will no longer be stealing at your borders and your gates will be of glory.”
While President Netanyahu of Israel upholds Zionist sovereignty, some Judean Jews and certain Christian factions dispute Zionist supremacy, contending that the state of Israel does not align with the prophetic Israel of the Bible. They argue that all signs given to national Israel in biblical prophecy have already been fulfilled, suggesting that current events are driven by political aspirations rather than divine prophecy.
Contrary to Netanyahu’s convictions, the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) reveals that Zadokites/Essenes, descendants of the original priestly lineage of Aaron, rejected the legitimacy of the Second Temple and the Hellenized Hasmonean priesthood by the 1st century CE. Presently, Torah-following Judaism denounces Zionism, asserting that Zionists have exploited the Jewish community for political ends for years. Presently, as white phosphorous bombs from Israeli forces rain down on Gaza killing thousands of innocent civilians, some sects from the Christian and Zionist Israel faiths justify the bombing as fulfillment of prophecy. This is the negative side of a strong religious belief.
Yet on the other side, one glowing light shone centuries ago perhaps while not openly declaring in the name of religion, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement symbolizing the compassion of Christ started in 1863 inspired by a Christian Swiss businessman Henry Dunant when the suffering of thousands of men on both sides of the Battle of Solferino in 1859 upset Dunant. He doggedly organized the Red Cross to help people of all religions and faiths, a movement that reached out its compassionate arms equally to all nations over hundreds of years regardless of religion. The Red Cross has been instrumental in providing emergency medical assistance to the people of Gaza, including essential healthcare services, medical supplies, and training for local healthcare workers. Their efforts have helped save lives and alleviate suffering in a region where access to healthcare is limited. Henry Dunant’s unwavering commitment to Protestant Christianity was undeniable, shaped by the faith of the Awakening movement and the religious heritage passed down by his ancestors.
The foundation of strong religious belief if devoid of the pure light of the spirit of conscience turns diabolical. This happens because people misquote their Holy Books to take out what they want to believe to suit their circumstances.
Jihad in Islam means a praiseworthy struggle or effort for a good cause has now been misinterpreted with false propaganda and turned into terror with extremist factions misinterpreting this to privately interpret it to achieve their political goals and religious mania and kill innocent people of different faiths indiscriminately which goes against the basic tenants of the Koran.
The Ghazwa-e-Hind philosophy is churning chaos and fear. Ghazwa means ‘war to spread Islam’ in India through war. This unequivocally is causing panic in Indian ranks while Islamic scholars unanimously denounce the presence of any Ghazwa prophecy in the future in Islamic eschatology spotlighting its errors and nefarious agenda, fueled by ambitious Islamic politicians and some radical scholars of Pakistan to split and weaken India. The majority of Sof hia and Sunni scholars including Salafi and Al Azhar clerics do not endorse the dogma of Ghazwa-e-Hind or concepts of religious wars in the future. The Hadith has been misquoted with political drives to misguide Muslim youths in the name of religion.
In Christianity, there is a verse in the Bible, “Until death do you part” which is taken out of context from the essence of the entire Bible enabling the abuse of partners. Religious Christians quote, “God hates divorce.” When women want to get divorced, they are judged, ostracized, and even disowned by some church leaders. Some of them are even labelled as tainted by those around her..Shockingly, reports abound of churches disciplining women who leave abusive spouses. Punishments range from ostracization. In some cases, the lack of support from the church drove these women to leave altogether. At the same time, shadows of suspicion were cast on the woman’s character, with both men and women quick to highlight her every misstep while downplaying the abusiveness of her spouse.
In Hinduism, the justification of discrimination based on caste has been repeatedly criticized but criticism of other caste systems worldwide with killings, rape, violence and discrimination entwining its tentacles into society hounding the Dalits for centuries. The caste system segregates people into rigid social categories, leading to the marginalization and exclusion of certain groups from mainstream society. This exclusion perpetuates inequalities and restricts opportunities for social mobility. Recently, a Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation suspended a bus driver and a conductor for forcing a 59-year-old Dalit woman to get off the bus mid-way at an unsafe location because they suspected she was carrying beef. In recent events, a 17-year-old Dalit boy was shot dead in Rampur for protesting against the removal of Dr. Ambedkar’s board. This discrimination and prejudice are rooted in religious superstitions, with a belief that Dalits present in “auspicious events” can taint the occasion and block the blessings.
Their perceived impurity was so extreme that even their slightest touch was thought to contaminate members of higher castes, resulting in severe punishment for the ‘untouchables’ and obliging the ‘polluted’ to undergo purification rituals. This can be seen in a recent event where the police arrested a woman and her daughter-in-law for serving tea in coconut shells to scheduled caste women working as farmhands in a Harur village in Dharmapuri district in Tamil Nadu. The caste system perpetuates social injustices, undermines human dignity, and impedes efforts towards building inclusive and equitable societies. Addressing the harmful effects of the caste system requires concerted efforts to dismantle systemic discrimination, promote social cohesion, and uphold human rights for all individuals, regardless of caste identity. 189,000 cases of attacks on Dalits registered since 2018 the Government of India informed the Parliament. While the caste system violates fundamental human rights principles, it is still deeply rooted in Indian society despite desperate attempts to eradicate it.
While there are many positive teachings in Buddhism which empower people to spiritually grow, women are often depicted in traditional Buddhist texts as deceitful and lustful calling a woman’s body a vessel of impurity, full of stinking filth.” In Buddhism, women are often not regarded as complete beings. Their bodies are seen as inadequate for achieving enlightenment and becoming Buddhas. According to a belief, women are considered incomplete until they reach enlightenment and are reborn as men. Male monks to diminish their sexual desires take on a celibate lifestyle to purge themselves of impurity. Monks are encouraged to perceive their bodies as unattractive, thus mitigating attachment to physical appearance. Isolation: Monks often lead a solitary life, removed from the bustling world and familial connections. This isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness and disconnection from society.
The goodness of religion is subjective and can vary depending on individual beliefs, cultural contexts, and interpretations of religious teachings. The moral guidance of religion is a compass to promote virtues such as compassion, empathy, and altruism. Religion fosters a sense of community and belonging among its followers, providing a support network of like-minded individuals who share common values, beliefs, and traditions. Religious communities offer emotional support, social connections, and opportunities for fellowship and collective worship.
Religion has historically played a role in advocating for social justice, human rights, and humanitarian causes. Many religious traditions emphasize the importance of compassion, solidarity, and social responsibility, inspiring individuals and communities to work towards addressing societal inequalities and promoting justice and equality for all. Religion often serves as a repository of cultural heritage, traditions, rituals, and practices that enrich and preserve cultural identity over generations. Religious festivals, ceremonies, and rituals provide opportunities for cultural expression, celebration, and commemoration of shared history and values.
Many people experience personal transformation and growth through their religious beliefs and practices. Religion encourages self-reflection, introspection, and spiritual development, leading to greater self-awareness, inner peace, and emotional resilience and a sense of interconnectedness with the universe where practices such as prayer, meditation, and contemplation can lead to spiritual awakening, inner peace, and a deeper connection with the Divine.
Humans have the choice to choose the good part of religion, so in the end, it is all about what people choose to focus on because there is an inner light of conscience in every human being that leads the way to choose right from wrong, to do good or bad and that is the ultimate spiritual power which transcends all the negative tenants of strong religious beliefs.
Rita Farhat Mukand is an independent writer.
