TOWARDS GLOBAL PEACE

TOWARDS GLOBAL PEACE We often talk of peace in the context of war. But this is a very narrow and restricted notion of peace. Peace is deeply linked with the entirety of human life. Peace is a complete ideology in itself. Peace is the only religion for both—man and the universe. It is the master-key that opens the doors to every success. Peace creates a favourable atmosphere for success in every endeavour. Without peace, no positive action—small or big—is possible. THE IMPORTANCE OF RELIGION IN PEACE BUILDING S INCE most people believe in one religion or the other, the role of religion can never be overstressed when it comes to peace building. But it is crucial that religious people should refrain from extremism and tread the path of tolerance. This is the teaching of all religions. No religion approves of extremism. If people follow the teaching of their religion, it will reinforce the culture of tolerance. And the culture of tolerance is indispensable for the establishment of peace. Since the majority believes in one religious system or the other, religion provides a ready-made instrument for establishing peace in society. If we speak of peace and tolerance with reference to religion, it will have a vast appeal. People will attach great importance to it and will try to practise it. But one has to sedulously refrain from extremism while communicating the teaching of the respective religions. If this can be done, religion will, without doubt, prove to be the greatest means of bringing about peace in society. It is also a fact that religion in its real authentic form teaches wellwishing for one another. Jesus Christ once said, ‘Love your enemy’, which means to establish friendly relations with everyone including one’s opponents, and win over one’s enemy by using the power of peace. In business, a customer-friendly culture is adopted. Similarly the essence of the social teachings of every religion is a human-friendly culture.