The Running Risk of Religious Extremism

By Kryshia Gayle Solon
HAPI Scholars

Religion is a specific set of organized beliefs and practices, usually shared by a community or group. It can be considered a system of thought that offers explanations for the universe and human life. All religions claim that their belief system is based on facts that are revealed to their followers by supernatural forces such as God, Allah, or Spirits of the Dead (to name but a few).

Many different religions have been influenced by cultural, historical, and geographical factors; however, there are general features common to most religious organizations. People generally follow religious beliefs because they wish to gain comfort and reassurance in their lives and because they believe that their religion will help them achieve eternal life in heaven after death. However, religion can also be a force for violence between people of different beliefs. Religious conflict has led to violent conflict and even war in some cases.

When religion is used to justify violence, it can foster hatred and intolerance among people of different faiths.

In recent decades, several major conflicts have erupted between groups based on differences in religious beliefs  the world. Examples of these religious wars include the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the conflict between Muslims and Christians in Nigeria. Religion can have a significant impact on an individual’s behavior both in everyday life and during moments of crisis. For example, research has shown that religion affects the way people react to stressful situations and deal with feelings of guilt and anger.

On the other hand, spirituality is more of an individual practice and has to do with having a sense of peace and purpose. It also relates to the process of developing beliefs around the meaning of life and connection with others. Spirituality is usually expressed through activities such as meditation, prayer, yoga, and other spiritual practices. Some people believe that spiritual experiences can be as valid as scientific ones when it comes to understanding the world. Others believe that these experiences are unreliable and cannot be trusted as a basis for making decisions about important issues in life. Spirituality is not the same thing as religion but is closely related to it; many spiritual people are also members of religious communities. However, some people consider themselves to be spiritual but not religious. As society has become more secular (meaning less focused on religious faith) over time, the number of people who identify themselves as religious has declined while the number of people identifying themselves as spiritual has increased.

[People] could consider humanism and secularism as alternatives to the rigid dogmas of various religions.

There is a strong link between religion and violence, as religious groups often promote violence and oppose the rights of women and other minority groups. Many of the world’s worst humanitarian crises are caused by religious conflicts and atrocities committed in the name of religion. Major international conflicts like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the war in Syria are a direct result of religious extremism. When religion is used to justify violence, it can foster hatred and intolerance among people of different faiths. Violence committed in the name of religion poses a significant threat to human rights worldwide and must be strongly condemned. In addition, many terrorist groups such as ISIS and Boko Haram have based their ideology on an extreme interpretation of Islamic teachings and use it to justify their acts of violence. These extremist groups often use religion as a means to recruit new members and justify their actions. As long as there are people who use religion as a justification for violence, the risk of terrorism will continue to exist.

As our world becomes increasingly globalized, we must be aware of the impact of our words and actions on other people all over the world. The best way to combat religious extremism is through education. People must learn to be more tolerant of each other and understand other cultures. They could also consider humanism and secularism as alternatives to the rigid dogmas of various religions. Humanism and secularism are better and more practical alternatives for human beings who believe in peace and equality. Human beings must develop a rational mind to distinguish right from wrong and act according to what feels right to them. Scientific facts have proved that life on the planet began not with a deity, but with a process of self-organization through natural laws and processes that are inherent to the universe. Religion can hinder progress and scientific discovery by imposing restrictions on the freedom of thought, speech, and action. Modern technology has made it easier for people to spread ideas and undermine the power of the establishment. We need to embrace these changes and open our minds to new ideas and beliefs if we want to build a better world for future generations. Although it may be easier said than done, we must work to make the world a better place for all people to live, work, and thrive. Peace is only possible if we work together in harmony and respect one another’s differences.