SHARED WISDOM

PRACTICAL DIVISION BETWEEN RELIGION AND POLITICS develop according to their laws. It is simply impossible to sit in an office and invent a cultural map of your choice and then impose it on every person and social group in a particular country. It is the case, in this regard, we should do exactly what we generally do about all other divisive issues—we should handle this issue based on the principle of tolerance and acceptance of difference and diversity while at the same time being committed to promoting a sense of oneness that transcends difference and diversity. PRACTICAL DIVISION BETWEEN RELIGION AND POLITICS As far as the political and social commandments of religion are concerned, they should not be taken up until the entire society might become conducive to them. No practical steps should be taken to enforce them as long as a society collectively is not in favour of this. Very often, religion is invoked in communal conflicts. Repeatedly, political and communal controversies are turned into religious controversies, and then people’s religious passions are roused, leading to confrontation and violence between members of different religious communities. Because of this, many people have become opponents of religion itself. They say that human beings do not need religion at all and that, hence, religion must be destroyed. Without this, they contend, social unity is impossible.