REMEMBER, ALL MAJORITIES ARE MINORITIES SOMEWHERE IN THIS WORLD.
Toronto, Canada Jeffrey S. Ram, Editor December 19, 2024
Christmas, a time for joy, giving, and soul-searching, has tremendous spiritual significance for Christians and all humanity. Its message is peace, goodwill, love, and hope—values above religious, cultural, and national boundaries. During this season, we often wish for the world to come together in harmony, as the birth of the Prince of Peace, Lord Jesus Christ, represents the possibilities of reconciliation, compassion, and a better world.
However, the reality is far from this ideal in today's globalized world. Across the globe, religious conflicts, sectarian violence, and the oppression of minorities remain uncontrolled.
Whether it is the persecution of Christians in India, Pakistan, and parts of the Middle East, and South America, the violence against Muslims in India, China, Myanmar, and Gaza, or the suppression of Hindus in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, these issues are universal. They often arise from the intolerance and bigotry of both individuals and groups.
Minorities of all faiths, including Buddhists, Sikhs, Jews, and others, have faced violence and oppression throughout history, and these struggles continue today.
May foresight and understanding guide all human beings to stop these crimes against humanity for the sake of world peace.
THE UNIVERSAL TEACHINGS OF PEACE AND LOVE IN ALL RELIGIONS
The essence of Christmas and the teachings of all major world religions—Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and others—are fundamentally associated with the values of love, peace, and compassion. Yet, these values often appear to be overshadowed by hate, violence, and intolerance. All religions advocate for peace and unity. Yet, the leadership of these religions sometimes fails to preach these teachings, and their followers may practice hatred rather than compassion.
At the core of Christianity is the message of love, compassion, and forgiveness. Lord Jesus Christ, whose birth is celebrated on Christmas, lived a life that exemplified these ideals. He reached out to the marginalized, healed the sick, and preached love for everyone, regardless of social status, race, or religion. His commandment to “love thy neighbor as thyself” is a moral guideline and a call to build a society based on mutual respect and understanding.
Similarly, peace and harmony are significant parts of Hinduism's spiritual teachings. Islam, too, preaches peace, as its very name comes from the same root as the Arabic word "salaam," which means "peace.” The teachings of Buddhism, Sikhism, Judaism, and other religions also revolve around similar themes of love, peace, and mutual respect. Each of these traditions expects a world where people live in harmony, rising above their differences and finding unity in their shared humanity.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RELIGIOUS TEACHINGS AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS
Despite these beautiful teachings, the real-world practice of religions often goes oppositely from these ideals. Instead of being voices of reconciliation, religious leaders sometimes become instruments of division. Instead of providing spiritual and moral guidance, they manipulate the religious texts to serve their political agendas, disregarding the essential message of love and peace in those same scriptures.
The recent rise in religious extremism across the globe, whether in the form of Christian nationalism, Islamic State terrorism, or Hindu chauvinism, serves as a reminder that those who claim to speak for God often speak for their own selfish interests.
Many political leaders use religious identity as a tool to consolidate power. They manipulate the fears and insecurities of the majority to incite hate and violence against minority groups. The very religions that preach peace are often used to justify violence against minorities, leading to a cycle of hatred and division. Consequently, the persecution of religious minorities has become a global crisis.
A CALL FOR WISDOM, TOLERANCE, AND PEACE
The world is at a crossroads. We can choose to continue down a path of division, violence, and hate, or we can select the path of peace, understanding, and cooperation. The religious minorities’ struggle for justice and peace is universal. It is time to put aside our differences and accept the values of all major religions: love, peace, and respect for humanity.
As we celebrate Christmas, let us all wish for “Peace on Earth”—for Christians, Hindus, Muslims, and all other minorities. May we realize that true spirituality demands compassion for all people, irrespective of their differences. May wisdom prevail so that we can live and let live. May the message of love that the Prince of Peace, Lord Jesus Christ, preached inspire us to build a world where people of all faiths can live together in harmony.
MERRY BE YOUR CHRISTMAS, PEACEFUL BE YOUR FAMILY, AND JOYFUL BE YOUR HOME.
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