The New Nation - Internet Edition

Father Benjamin De Costa

In the present world situation it becomes much more important subject than earlier to put best endeavour towards establishing peace and brotherhood among mankind. As a matter of fact human beings are often reported to have perished in deadly conflicts. On social and spiritual point of view even if we go through the daily news reports partially we have to acknowledge that we are not living in peace and happiness mentally. In spite of putting efforts towards establishing peace by different organisations working on national and international forums, there is hardly any development of creating good relations between the people all over the world rather, suspicions and distrust seem to have been growing much faster. Due to violence, robbery, theft, hijacking, and raping, etc, fear and panic pervade among the people in the society. We cannot move safely on roads. There is a lack of safety and security of our life and property. Moreover, it is very difficult to live with one's self-respect.

Though the leaders of the society, government and its police and armed forces along with other law-enforcing agencies have been trying their best to control the law and order situation yet it often goes beyond one's control. Corruption like lying, bribery as harmful as pests and parasites spread to almost all organs of the society. On the other side, priests and preachers of religion go on preaching religious ethics spontaneously and books on religion are abundant in the market. The human conscience is yet to be awakened and the society should have been transformed towards the betterment of all.

Sometimes we observe the lack of neighbourly relations among the various communities in the society. In recollecting some untoward incidents during the last few years it is apparent that the behavioural pattern of those concerned communities are not at all compatible to their relative factors. In all, bigotry, fanaticism, selfishness and the sense of narrowness had been expressed in their conduct whereas virtues and magnanimity are absent there. On way to preaching and establishing one's own religion, custom, creed, as a matter of fact, those preachers overlook and neglect others rather expressing hatred by vilifying other's religion. The lack of religious harmony is one of the greatest factors of it.

The great ideals of every religion are basically ordained with love, piety, nobility, benevolence and devotion to work for the benefit of others eliminating poverty from its roots i.e. service to humanity. These ideals only evaluate the religion of mankind and these should also be taken into consideration for all times. On the contrary to these ideals, the lowest degree of meanness in human conduct is beastly behaviour containing aggressive attitude, violence and greediness. Moreover, the bye-products of all these crimes are hatred and ferocity creating vicious but fearful condition of the society.

In such circumstances, it is necessary to bring about universal brotherhood among mankind. This universal brotherhood denotes a deep sense of relation, unlike brothers and sisters, among mankind irrespective of family, clan, race, religion, caste, creed, culture, tradition and different national identities.

This brotherhood is not only limited to Muslims or Hindus or Christians, this would be applicable for all human beings equally without any distinction. This must be understood that the source of creation is the same and the creator is also the same one and as such, we can acknowledge without any doubt that we are, as a matter of fact, the members of the same family of human beings. So, we are all sisters and brothers respectively. This acknowledgement should remain not only on lips as theory but also at heart for practice. Leaving aside narrow and selfish thoughts from our mind if we think deeply we can easily understand that the basic essence of learning in every religion appreciates these evaluations. Besides looking into the life-ideals of the founders of all main established religions we are bound to acknowledge them. This eternity of learning exists in each of them.

That is why we cannot say that the prophet Hazrat Muhammad came only for the Muslims or Buddhodev for the Buddhists or Sri Ramkrishno for the Hindus or Jesus Christ for the Christians. Those only who are zealots or fanatics they claim the founder of the concerned religion as their personal property and in the name of that particular founder of the religion they try to spread its supremacy also. But the real faithful votary cannot claim such authority because there is no authoritarianism in religion. None has any authority over the Creator or his prophets. As God Allah is Omnipotent, if He wished, He could create all the people in the same religion but he did not do that. Even he did not take away the rights to life of the atheist. So, what is the reason why the followers of one religion should not tolerate the followers of another religion? Is there any religious order of any religion that the followers of another religion should be annihilated? If there is any such order then that cannot be worthy of religion at all. One has to practice his/her own religion virtuously to draw other's attraction. By using tactics or force none can attract anybody to one's own religion. Moreover, by intimidation or by force if that is possible in that case it cannot be termed as religion.

It is natural that the country, nationality, language, social custom, creed, mannerism, rules and regulations, tradition and culture might be different and its people are not all the same. Everyone of us is different from each other. That is not only for the reason of colour of the body, physiological feature, social status and profession etc. but also from the side of our mental attitude and aptitude, emotion and feeling, thought and opinion each one of us is separate. So, all these differences are undeniable. But we are all human beings and the best creation among all the living creatures. Here we are all equal and identically the members of a single human family. Many a times we cannot acknowledge such differences as just and natural rather, we use to call it alienation and, as a matter of fact, a lot of frustrations gain ground. We do not take natural diversities this way rather we seek the fictitious and imaginary unison.

It is needless to say that irrespective of nationality, religion, colour, clan or tribe, rich and poor, everyone desires universal brotherhood and peace. We must have to find a strong foundation or ground in order to establish or to make universal brotherhood and peace realistic. If the conscious section of the people in society puts strong efforts in this regard there must be some good results instead of complete success.

There must be the distinct perception of Universal Brotherhood. In my opinion, the following may be perceived as the base for universal brotherhood:

1. We all are the residents of this world and as such, we are the members of the same human family (irrespective of our differences of nationality, clan, tribe, language, civilisation, creed and colour). So we are brothers and sisters respectively. The Creator is one and the same. Though we call our Creator by different names but we believe in one and the same Creator. In accordance with the Christian faith we call Him our Father, Son and the Sacred Soul. So in imitating Jesus Christ perceiving the relations between the father and the son we at our sacred heart and soul can call our creator as our father. So if God is the Father then we are brothers and sisters respectively.

3. As the source of our life is one and the same, our spiritual aim is also one and the same. Knowingly or unknowingly we are all seeking permanent pleasure in peace and happiness. The deepest essence of desire of every human soul is the same.

4. Every human has his/her mixed feelings of goodness and badness. That is why we can resort to falsehood due to our frustrated aptitude or lust or due to the lack of moral evaluation. But if we become the subject of our tongue of conscience, if we listen to it in right earnest and go accordingly, we can be turned into an independent person.

5. The muscle power or beastly power is the cursed power. This has the negative and destructive attitude. To eradicate this evil from the society right ways and means must he adopted. In our country there are teachings of religious theories and information but there is no teaching of morality. If the religious teachings do not reflect on the conduct of the person concerned that earns no value in life. For this reason the change in conduct is much more important than the teaching of religious theory only. The vaunted religious teacher as far as his/her behaviour is concerned can become much more inferior than that of the ignorant but simple and faithful disciple.

6. Basically, the teaching of every religion is the same. Every religion teaches man to be honest, good and to do well to others. But in the hands of so-called religious teachers this teaching appears to have been bigotedly narrow. This way the basic religious education namely generosity and kindness, love and affection, charity, serving the suffering humanity, helping the poor without expecting return, pardon, politeness, tolerance, etc. precious and universal religious values become frustrated and obsolete, whereas in the name of religion, muscle-power and beastly power are appreciated as great and heroic ones.

7. When the religious teachings along with its theories and information appreciate moral values, only then it originates the source of spiritual power and inspiration. Otherwise that becomes theoretical pedantry and egoistic pride only.

8.As a person we might be different but we possess the same human nature. As human beings all of us have some characteristics. We are all subject to birth and death. Happiness and woes, tears and laughter, sorrows and sufferings are our experience in life. If we remain aware of these, the sense of humanity would wake up in our heart.

In political sense we mean the absence of war is peace. But actual peace is that positive virtue or condition that is the sole property of one's heart and that is the result of good relation. Usually this good relation does not exist in sinful world, it has to be achieved after a great arduous endeavour. At the same time it is the virtue of God or the gift of the Divine. At equal time this relation remains to the four: (1) Relation with the self (2) with others (3) with the creation of the universe and (4) with the Creator of the Universe.

But peace is not the outcome of any relation. The source of real peace is good relation. But what do we mean by good relation? There may be a lot of relations with others. Whereas the source of peace or pre-condition is that good relation in which truth, justice, love, freedom and personal dignity are given equal status. That relation in which other's dignity is not acknowledged, the service of others is used in one's own selfish purpose or in one's thought or aptitude - can never bring forth peace.

1. Relation with the self: The person who is divided in him/herself, the person who is self-contradictory and who dwells on duality that one must be possessing duplicity. Then that person becomes unable to establish good relation with others. Every person must have his/ her natural quandary and dilemma for not knowing which way to turn. But out of that qualm mostly one has compunction to be inclined towards honesty. That is why one has to perceive the essence of Upanisod, " Osoto Ma Sodgomoyo" i.e. "Lead me from the unreal to the real". But the person who does not follow the orders of conscience and compromise or make friendly relation with the wrongs, s/he must involve in dispute, gradually increasing and suffering disturbance continuously as its reaction.

2. Relation with others: Human relation may be of different types. The relation between the servant and the master and the rich and the poor of different aspects namely, oppressive or tyrannical relation, relation by matrimonial alliance, friendly relation, etc. But world-peace is to be founded above all those mentioned relations rather that must be based on humanity related to selfless philanthropy. The only person who is pure at heart, both inward and outward, can be able to build that type of relation. Any person who is impostor can never build this sort of relation.

3. Relation with the creation of universe: We are the part and parcel of the creation. This is created for the welfare of mankind. If man does not take proper care of this creation rather misuse it by means of suppressive and oppressive measures there will be no peace. Nowadays, we have been hearing of atmospheric pollution on and often. Nature herself becomes unfavourable for human habitation. Man must have due respect for the created universe of Allah/God. Otherwise man will cause his own harm.

4. Relation with the Creator: Allah/God exists within us and beyond us everywhere in this universe. He is unseen but Omniscient and Omnipresent at the centre of our heart. Therein lies truth where we can perceive and worship Him. Human beings are bound to create conflicts among themselves by its own rules and regulations disregarding natural laws of Allah.

Aforementioned four are related to each other. Without one of them others cannot be imagined. For example, if one demands that he has a good relation with God/Allah but not with his fellowmen and then we must be dubious about him. On the other hand, when a person, in fact, remains votary of truth and exercises it with perseverance, other qualities in him bloom automatically.

Impact of religion: the impact of real religious virtues spread all over human life in all fields that do not remain limited to ritual rites and its functions. Actually, religion behaviour is expressed in deeds and conduct of the person concerned for how he behaves with others. How far man is religious or pious that cannot be justified by observing religious rites by one's knowledge of religious theory and its outward showy performance. On the contrary, the exercise of one's greatest kindness, piety, pardon, love, politeness for others manifests the real identity of religion or religiosity.

(To be continued)

Irreligious traits: Adultery, profane, unholy conduct, licentious mannerism, practicing magical spell of charms and incantations, creating enmity, fanning conflicts, jealousy, anger, wrath, antagonism, acrimony, groupings in factional cliques, indulgence in malice, drunkenness, holding unmanageable banquet, etc. Instead of becoming pious those who have been indulging in bigotry in the name of religion, they appear to have become impatient, peevish, ferocious, angry and ill tempered. They might be thinking that the religion must be protected anyway actually all means of protective measures of religion are inherent within the periphery of just religion itself. For instance, the person who is truthful he does not speak loud. As a matter of fact, to tell the truth you need not extend the force of your tongue because the truth has its power in itself. Allah/God is above all loss or gain. Man has no power to harm Allah/God. So God need not have the defender. For endlessly without any beginning He is almighty, He is the Creator of the universe; Lord, Defender and primeval Power.

Aims or Objects of Religion: Man is not created for religion but religion is created for man. It is religion that makes man beautiful and meaningful. To make man happy here and hereafter religion has been brought into use.

The basic teaching of every religion is universal although some of the religious tenets have acclaimed different beliefs about afterlife or eternal life. Because irrespective of nationality, religion and colour man's deepest and heartiest longing is one and the same. Everyone wants to be happy, to live in peace, to have love, respect and honour from others. Moreover, each religion teaches the ways and means to achieve all these virtues. That is the reason why the basic teachings of all religions are same. As for instance it may be mentioned here that none of the religions teach to speak lie, to do wrongs, to hate and harm others, to commit theft and to defame another's good name rather, every religion teaches to tell the truth, be just, do good and welfare-oriented works for others, render succour to needy persons and pay respect to others. It does not matter what religion one believes theoretically, actual identity of a religious-minded person and his/her real religion will come out with the reflection (of religion) in deed through its practical application in life. Micah gives the definition of real religion from the Bible, True religion is: "To act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly before God."

In order to achieve the main aims and objects of life, eternal human values of each person must be developed and appreciated. What makes us human? We possess some inherent qualities of humanity. They are kindness and piety, pardon, sympathy, intimacy, altruism, etc. These are the real properties of the human. Rightly these are appreciated by name of religion. Besides, there are other moral and spiritual values eternally acknowledged. They are honesty, justice, purity, sacredness, politeness, gentleness, good manners, and tolerance. Sometimes, by mistake, we mean religion only by ritual performance of worship or saying prayers and centering them, rules and regulations of religious aspects are formed. Usually by practicing these outward ritual performances man thinks that he has done his religion. But religion at heart in truthfulness, righteousness, love and devotion, honest thinking, and politeness are much more valued than outward ritual functions. The real religious person cannot boast of his/her religiosity. S/he is a person of real quality like a tree that is bent upon its weight of palatable fruits and became modest and humble-hearted. Rather, real religiosity is just like a rose that spreads fragrance everywhere. That does not need any publicity by beating the drums. Irrespective of differences of nationality, religion and colour real religiosity is adorable to all.

If a person is self-contradictory s/he cannot develop him/herself. Similarly, a conflicting society cannot develop also. The essential prerequisite to peace and happiness is healthy environment. If in society there exist mutual hatred, rivalry, factional cliques, violence, enmity, alienation, etc. then the social environment will not bring any peace or happiness. The person who has peace in mind, happiness at heart, s/he cannot be the cause of disturbance. Rather those who have got the trace of real peace at heart could establish peace everywhere.

1. The ways and means of establishing peace and brotherhood among mankind:

In personal life, in one's own heart one should pay respect for religious faith and his rights as well as the rights of others. Outward showy etiquette or exercises of religious performances or functions appear to be artificial exhibition.

2. A sense of respect for one's own family and other's families along with every religion and religious-minded people's rights and faith is to be developed and encouraged in the neighbourhood. Especially among the youth and the children the awareness, "Above all there's no truth other than man" should be inculcated.

3. Some eternal values should be given preference and their publicity should be given through education curriculum as follows:

a. Irrespective of nation, religion, colour, social status, rank, educational qualifications, physical figures, nationality, sinner or pious, friend or foe, treating human beings as the best creation of God every person's dignity and prime equality should be regarded.

b. The deepest desire of heart of each person is one and the same and the aims and objects are the same should be regarded with dignity and honour.

c. Each person's basic rights should be regarded and given proper care.

d. Maintenance of eternal moral values: Go according to your conscience and work with full responsibility for yourself as well as for others.

e. Exercise of eternal human values: Expressing sincere manners, decency, gentility, entertaining guests, showing tolerance, and doing benevolent works.

f. To be aware of spiritual values and make others aware of them: Keeping faith in the Creator and to maintain purity, sacredness, righteousness, honesty, pardon, love etc. in own life on and on.

g. We are the residents of the same universe and the members of the same family- this idea must be borne in our mind and heart and we should let others know it. "My brother, my responsibility" this sense of responsibility requires to be implied.

h. To fight united against the common enemies: To guard and control one's own passion (cardinal passions of man viz. sex-passion, anger, greed, infatuation, vanity, and envy) and to put collective endeavour to eradicate injustice, falsehood, bribery, corruption, exploitation, tyranny, oppression, violence, oppressive poverty from the society. As a matter of fact, this is called jehad or religious fight against all ills in society.

i. Acknowledgement of diversities in human nature: We should accept the diversities of life in nature at our heart and soul subject to the overall welfare of mankind. We should keep in mind that in spite of differences of opinion human beings can remain united and therein lay benefit of mankind. Moreover, we should have regard for others' good opinions. This is magnanimity.

j. The soul of God/Allah is one and the same that moves everywhere. We must have permanent determination to go under His sway.

k. The person who wants to establish peace on earth is much more needful than the peace-loving ones. For that reason we should cement and bind the bridge between the diverse people in unison. To this effect our struggle should continue.

On the aforementioned pretext towards building peaceful world our discussion can be moving. This can be expressed in a feature. This feature is collected from the published book by FABC, "Reconciliation Through Harmony".

It is very important to build up cultivation of culture of harmony traditionally among all mankind in order to create condition of peaceful world. Until and unless a great relation and co-existence among the members of this vast human family of the world with the sense of unity and brotherhood is made possible the wars and in-fighting shall continue. Then the beastliness in mankind will be victorious. Whereas the sense of union and brotherhood is inherent in each of our respective religions, for the basic demand of each religion is to build universal brotherhood and relative union among all mankind. Thus the outcome of good relations is peace.

Translated by M. Mizanur Rahman