Can religions solve global problems

Global problems that the world is facing in the 21st century that are knotty cannot be solved by the one nation alone. These problems can only be solved by the unity of all the nations. If we see religion as the common thread between nations and make religion the basis for solving problems, then they can be solved. However, various commentators argue that religions create the many of the problems the world faces. This viewpoint considers that religion should not be made the basis for solving problems because it divides one nation into various religious groups. In the nation, many people have different religions. There are almost 19 religions which are subdivided by 270 religions (Wilson paragraph 1). Every religion has a different perspective towards the problems. Religions can solve global problems if freed from politics as well from extremism. All of the world’s religions are based either on positive revelation from the God like Moses, Jesus, or Muhammad or spiritual enlightenment. Every religion insists its way of life on the people as the true along and perfect for the whole humanity, however it rejects the other ways of life as false and imperfect. Religion encourages its followers to promote its way of life. It promotes equal standard of life for all the people. In that standard, no one is greater or bigger than the other. According to religion for all, humanity is equal. Religion also encourages its followers to respect other's religion as well as do not interfere with it.It promotes full freedom of every religion; anyone can switch religions at any time.While some analyzers do not think religion is a positive entity andthey opine that religion divides people intogroups. They comment that religion tries to eradicate other religions as being the ultimate. God’s crazy-eyed followers threaten the lives, peace and prosperity of all mankind on the planet. However, data does not support religion as violent or an instigator of violence. People misunderstand religion as thinking it is encouraging violence, but people are mistaken about this because no religion supports violence. In today’s world, religions are growing with faster speed than as compared to previous and it seems impossible to eradicate all religions. Now eradication of religion means eradication of humanity. All religions have the same message that leads to the same destination: obeying orders of whatever  God or gods one worships and respecting humans. All religions have the same goals of peace and justice for the whole mankind. Religions are calling themselves as universal, so they make everyone equal. No religion forces anyone to convert his or her religion. Every human is imperfect and sinful, and everyone is responsible for his or her own deeds. Mohammad Ali Shomali said, "A sad reality that we witness today, and indeed has happened multiple times, is the misuse of religion in order to justify violence and injustice and secure selfish interests" (Kenny paragraph 6) Religions can be the enlightenment if they break free from politics. Religions encourage defense and promote common human and spiritual values. Religions have inspired followers to take action against inequalities, crime, and injustice in  society. Sulak Sivaraksa, a Buddhist social activist twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, remarked that he became an activist because of his desire "to truly follow the Buddha's teachings, to create Buddhism relevant to modern society. Peace activist Father Roy Bourgeois during spending his time in the jail for protesting, he says “have no regrets. More than ever, I feel that God calls each of us to be healers and peacemakers.” As the Apostle James commented, “we must integrate our faith with actions” (Antoun Paragraph 3). On the other hand people believe that religion promotes the feeling of apathy and violent. Religion is a force that encourages its followers to work for the benefit of society, but when religious beliefs become extreme they can lead to  disastrous results for society. Extremism employs religion to do violence. Historically,t every group that spread violence has the religious basis for that purpose like the Crusaders, Christian Patriot, Ku Klux Klan, neo Nazi, Al-Qaeda, Taliban, and ISIS. It has been seen that it is easy for the extremists to use religion because it creates sentiments in the hearts of people and religion is an easy way to inspire people to do any action. Adolph Hitler, the mastermind of the Nazi Holocaust, wrote in his autobiography, Mein Kampf, "I believe I am acting in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator: by defending myself against the Jew, I am fighting for the work of the Lord" (Wilson paragraph 5) Religion is used by some groups for the justification of violence, but they never actually learn its teachings. These groups apply  religion for their benefit and where it does not benefit them, they resort to violence.For those people who imagine that religion can convince people to do great tasks and they believe religion is energizing for the people and create passion. If looked at, top business men and women are mostly affiliated with one or another religion. Top politicians and top unionists are affiliated to one or another religion because religion is the glue that exists in the others. The world’s biggest philanthropists have one or other religious affiliations. The majority of the analysts says that if religion is used in the positive way, numerous problems can  be solved. For this, religion needs to be used in the positive manner and it should be taught for the benefit of the society. Abdullah Al Turki stated that religion like Islam can solve the problems of drug abuse, rape, and stealing. Almost all religions can help in eradicating the global problems (Wilson paragraph 2). According to some commentators, all the states should be secular because when the state has any religion, it forces the people of different religions to abide to the religious laws against their will. A state with a certain religion builds religious places and address religious sermons in  public places and these events create frustration for the minority religions. However, religion be freed, let the people follow its teachings. Government should be free of religion and its aim should be for the benefit of all people, even nonreligious people.Communities should expose the extremist. If religion would be left free from the politics, then there would be the hope of solving the world’s global problems. Moreover, people should not interfere with others’ religions because religion is a matter between  God and the individual. People should worry only about learning its real teachings and exposing the extremists. If everything happened like this then we would be living in the ideal society (a problem free society).

Works Cited

Ostendorf, David. "Religion Can Counter Violent Extremism." Extremist Groups. Ed. Karen F. Balkin. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2005. Opposing Viewpoints. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 2 Feb. 2016.

"Preface to 'Can the World's Religions Solve Global Problems?'." World Religions. Ed. Mike Wilson. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2006. Opposing Viewpoints. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 2 Feb. 2016.

"'Religion, Peace and Violence' Is Theme for Christian-Muslim Meeting in Geneva [press release]."Africa News Service 20 Nov. 2015. Student Resources in Context. Web. 2 Feb. 2016.

Volf, Miroslav. "For justice and peace in the world, religions need permanent reformation." Washington Post 16 Nov. 2015. Student Resources in Context. Web. 2 Feb. 2016.

"Why (some) states use religion to justify violence." Washingtonpost.com 20 Jan. 2015. Student Resources in Context. Web. 2 Feb. 2016.