RELIGION IS IN DANGER
One cause of hatred and violence is emotional politics based on the slogan: “Religion is in danger.” Some writers and speakers present an exaggerated or distorted picture, giving people the impression that their religion is under threat from others. As a result, under the banner of protecting religion, rallies, marches, slogans, and flag-waving politics begin. This kind of politics does not actually protect religion from danger but instead, in the name of saving religion, destroys society’s peace and puts it in real danger.
If religion were truly in danger, it would clearly mean that an outsider is threatening it. In this way, the slogan “Religion is in danger” fuels hatred between one group and another. When such politics of hatred fail to eliminate the supposed threat to religion, it shifts to a new phase: the politics of despair. This politics of despair then advances to violent politics. When violence also fails to achieve its aims, it shifts to suicidal politics. Emotionally charged youth, filled with intense hatred, express their frustration through suicide bombings against their perceived enemies. The politics of religious danger eventually transforms into a politics of religious suicide. Those who rise up in the name of life end up becoming messengers of death—for themselves and others.
The truth is that the only way to escape this destructive politics is to declare violence completely unacceptable in any situation. No excuse, no matter how justified it seems, should be considered valid for using violence.
The world we live in today is full of differences. Everyone is Mr. Different, and every woman is Ms. Different. Naturally, this causes various disagreements among people. When these disagreements turn emotional, they can lead to hatred and violence, making society look like a graveyard.
There is only one solution to this problem: people must be made to understand that they should always act within the boundaries of peace. Under no circumstances should they step outside the framework of peace. This mindset can only be cultivated when people are fully aware of the truth that in this world, things can only be achieved through peaceful means. Nothing worthwhile has ever been accomplished through violence. Violence only leads to destruction—it never helps in building anything.
The only advantage of politics based on the “Religion is in danger” slogan is that it gives a few individuals the chance to appear as high-profile leaders. They become prominent temporarily. Crowds gather around them. They enjoy material glamour. But when it comes to religion and religious people, they are left with nothing but a hostile environment, lacking moderation, and forced to live amid hatred. Victims of violence, they end up making their own future unsafe.
The ultimate result of such politics is simply that a few individuals become celebrities. But this approach does not help in real nation-building—nor can it. It might assist in creating leaders, but it is completely ineffective when it comes to building a strong and united community.
