It is true that religion divides humanity in exactly this way. This question requires students to compare whether religion is more divisive or more unifying in nature. That is, religious people tend to be more helpful to others. Speech by Keith Porteous Wood, Executive Director, at Race Convention, QE II Conference Centre. The question of what is behind the tangling of the church/state screen concerns hosts of historians, theologians, political scientists, and psychologists, and will keep them busy for a long time -- e.g. And this is not just about minority faith schools but some Christian schools too. "Religion," Bahá'u'lláh states, "is the greatest of all means for the establishment of order in the world and for the peaceful contentment of all that dwell therein." Join our campaign for an inclusive and secular education system. Whether such a book does or does not yet exist, one must note that shelves full of books do throw various lights on her larger concern. All rights reserved.Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Accessibility | Contact Us, NSS urges even-handed approach to freedom of religion or belief, NSS raises case of girl subjected to forced marriage in Pakistan, States may restrict non-stun slaughter on welfare grounds, ECJ rules, MSPs back ‘general principles’ of Scottish hate crime bill, NSS urges government to explain erasure of Ahmadis in faith review, All I want for Christmas is freedom of and from religion, RE shouldn’t be a vehicle for the Church of England’s interests, The Catholic Church’s dogma shouldn’t undermine sex education, Religion is not a justification for discrimination, Allowing religious discrimination in school admissions opens the door to other forms of discrimination, Friendship at primary schools can and does cross ethnic and faith divides, … parents learned to respect people from other backgrounds as a result of their children’s experiences in. Religious beliefs definitely divide us in exactly the way that AbdulRaufw4lr6s says it does. Those drifting away and integrating are generally subjected to peer pressure in order to force them to come back into line. Does religion divide or unite a society? Few religions do not preach “my religion is better than your religion” either directly or by suggestion. Many of us can`t even live normal lives without the religion. Religion unites and divides. The NSS has backed a campaign to secure the freedom and safety of a 14-year-old girl who has fled a forced marriage in Pakistan. 1 0. Religion has the potential for uniting people through its liturgies, traditional postures and the timeless rituals that link our history and sensitivity. Religion has many negative effects … 0 1. This tends to alienate the millions who are not religious (including those within minority communities). To many people, it offers the only hope that they can get. Although this might sound idealistic, human beings, if united, could overcome enormous obstacles. Perhaps in such communities religion is regarded as a defence against an uncaring and sometimes hostile world, but that defence is also a barrier. After all, if it is the word of God, how can one compromise it? All rights reserved. In an interview with Albawaba.com, Zogby criticized the Muslim groups who demonstrated in Washington last week accusing them of dividing the community on the basis of religion. It unites the people who are members of a particular religion or denomination, but divides the overall population of believers. But wouldn’t it be a better idea if schools were for teaching everyone together, rather than preaching apart? A distinguished Catholic gives a bold answer to a thorny question about how much monotheists have in common Religion … I commend to you her excellent study Sharing Crisps with someone different? But if we open many more minority religion schools that are likely to be predominantly mono-ethnic and in communities that are already apart from the mainstream, are we not missing out on perhaps the only opportunity for cohesion? Yet, here in the 21st century, religious differences are still dividing us, holding us back from reaching our full potential. Religion divides humanity and poses the greatest threat to our progress It is time to grow up and eschew the illusions of exclusionary beliefs that have caused millennia of misery. 0 0. It is evident from history that religion can do both. We campaign for the law and the administration of justice to be based on equality, respect for human rights, and on objective evidence. Separateness of religion, culture and even perhaps ideology? Views of transgender issues divide along religious lines By Gregory A. Smith The American public is sharply divided along religious lines over whether it is possible for someone to be a gender different from their sex at birth, according to a new Pew Research Center analysis. Real religion does not. A new study of a widely-used set of RE resources illustrates the way powerful groups control the subject to accommodate the evangelical mission of the Church of England, says Chris Selway. This shows the absurdity of religious discrimination in admissions, says Megan Manson. Based on systems of familiarity and faith, There is no room for growth based on reality, Individual freethinking, Or global community. The extent to which religion creates both unity and division depends on a couple of factors. 0 1. 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Within society it divides. Which is why Jesus Christ founded just one Church, said it was to remain one, and promised that one Church the fullness of God's truth. Thousands of things divide people. We campaign on a wide range of topics where religious privilege impacts public life. Does religion unite or divide us? On Monday, March 25th, Dr. Campbell will speak on the topic Does Religion Do More to Divide or Unite Americans? 7 months ago. Sadly, there are many examples not only from earlier times, but also current events that sectarian clashes and faith-based violent extremism can be the source of much pain and suffering. Does religion divide or unite people? Human unity and peace are made unattainable because religion segregates people into clusters of believers and "nonbelievers". Religion exerts a profound influence on all societies and many of the world's peoples. 7 months ago. Religion is massively more important to the identity of those in minority communities than it is to the rest of the population. Simply sign in below. Even in a very modern, secularizing society, religion remains a very powerful source of values, a powerful source of activities and a powerful source of community. I oppose the idea of all state-funded religious schools for that reason, among others. It can do both. When I was in elementary school, my mom signed me up for catechism classes, but I didn’t even know if she believed in God. Already subscribed? Religion can both unite and divide society. For human unity and peace to ever become a part of our experience, we must become more aware of how our beliefs divide us and work to reconcile this division by placing our humanity above our religious contentions. Neil Barber says this is a misguided decision.... A shadow minister was wrong to say religious registrars should be able to opt out of providing same-sex marriages. 7 months ago. Some Protestants have never had a conversation with anyone from the Catholic community and vice versa. Religion may function differently today than it has in the past, but it still continues … Including: For over 150 years we have campaigned for disestablishment, the separation of the C of E and state. © 2020 Arena Holdings. And her comments are a reminder that we don't need a ministerial office for faith, says... A state-funded faith school recently rejected a child because her mother isn't Jewish. Although not necessarily so, there are some aspects of religion that make it susceptible to being a latent source of conflict. The local council in the Outer Hebrides has endorsed Catholic Church resources on sex and relationships – with some demanding they're used "exclusively". Relevance. Opponents often erect a straw man of secularism to justify demands for religious privilege. And they are both Christian and white. I grew up in a nominally Catholic family, the kind in which we only went to church for baptisms, weddings, and funerals. Publius. But freedom of religion must come with freedom from religion, says Stephen Evans. They know very well that the best and perhaps only chance they have of inculcating religious belief and identity is at a very young age. In recent years, minority ethnic identity has been redefined from being predominantly geographically-based to being religiously-based. The NSS has urged the government to explain why it apparently removed Ahmadi Muslims from a list of Muslim denominations in a review. Religion is a nation-building mechanism in history, even an empire-building mechanism, for example, the Holy Roman Empire, or most of Europe before Protestantism. 1 decade ago. And what better place than schools to reinforce that tribalism, the separation — the idea that children who were born no more than two streets away from each other — are somehow fundamentally different because their parents cleave to a small variation of the same religion. Christians, Muslims and prayer Does worship divide or unite? Redeem it now. Religion can provide hope for eternal life - man has always longed to be immortal, and religion offers an illusory way of achieving immortality. David. All religions have their accepted dogma, or articles of belief, that followers must accept without question. Religion divides the people into small set of groups which creates conflict between other groups. Although it doesn’t hit the headlines as much now, sectarianism is still alive and well in Belfast. Some Protestants have never had a conversation with anyone from the Catholic community and vice versa. For example, the ruthless and fierce Nazis did not hesitate to kill millions of people including kids just because they were Jewish. Don't miss the big stories. "forever" in this complex, pluralistic, free society. I am told that there is now much more pressure to wear religious clothing in the UK than there is in Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey – or even Iraq. In the history of the world thus far, we have examples … I think that most of life exists in gray areas. Will these schools not just reinforce separateness by their very existence? Home » News » Media enquiries » Does faith unite or divide communities? Religion instills in people the idea that those who differ with their religious beliefs are evil and undeserving of association, or even of their humanity. MSPs have approved the 'general principles' of a proposed bill on hate crime, but many have called for stronger free speech protections. It is no coincidence that schools have always been a major focus for religious groups. …If [the Commission on Cohesion and Integration] is to address the questions of integration effectively, [she says it] has to consider (among other matters) how far the retention of existing faith schools have hindered integration. "...fear of confronting all-white and/or all-Muslim schools about their contribution, or rather lack of contribution, to social and racial integration.". Religion can be a real community for some, but a curse to others. 16 Answers. But it would be You can support the NSS by buying from our Shop, © 2017 National Secular Society (Limited by Guarantee). This can lead to inflexibility and intolerance in the face of other beliefs. Religion creates both unity and division. The Chief Inspector of Schools in England, observed in 2005 that: "Many young people are being educated in faith-based schools, with little appreciation of their wider responsibilities and obligations to British society...we must not allow our recognition of diversity to become apathy in the face of any challenge to our coherence as a nation". It also entrenches a sense of separateness and, in some cases, religious superiority. Even if the root cause of the conflict is cultural, tribal or political, religion is the marker and that was why the so-called faith school was the focus of the attack. According to Ansary religion is … Answer Save. And often, religious adherents are expected to dress or eat in a certain way (as is their right) to reinforce their identity, in essence their difference from others. In his Report on the west Yorkshire riots in 2001, Lord Ouseley wrote of Bradford: … It unites those that believe, but it divides them from those that don't. Lv 7. 6.) Got a subscription voucher? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. The religious war that took place was more destructive than the … The earth is the place where people living. Every religious community divides from within but resist infiltration from outside communities. There’s no simple answer to that. In the words of British philosopher, historian and logician Bertrand Russell: "I regard religion as a disease born of fear and a source o... A subscription helps you enjoy the best of our business content every day along with benefits such as exclusive Financial Times articles, ProfileData financial data, and digital access to the Sunday Times and Sunday Times Daily. The EU's highest court has ruled that states subject to its jurisdiction may ban non-stun slaughter on animal welfare grounds. Zócalo quoted Richard Flory, a senior research associate at the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture, about how faith builds stronger communities in a section called “Answering the ultimate questions.”. Xinthar. Public services that are intended for the whole community, especially those funded by public money, should be provided in a secular context. Most people believe in a religion so they can have a type of community and so they can be united with other people. The great divide where religious beliefs and the law meet ... religion still plays a vital role in the way we run our country. Religions tend to both encourage people to get together, and encourage people to help each other. And they are both Christian and white. Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January. One man black, one man red, one man brown, and another men with various colours. Does religion divide people? Throughout history, it has proven to be the primary force for social progress, motivating individuals to develop spiritual I shall now draw my contribution to a close with some extracts from the gospel according to Professor Irene Bruegel of South Bank University. The NSS has urged the UK's new envoy on freedom of religion or belief to take an even-handed approach to promoting the principle. Read more at the SA government's online coronavirus portal or use the 24-hour public hotline: 0800 029 999. The threat of theocracy. “Keep with us”, they say, “not with the heathens, infidels, or the kaffirs” – meaning of course everyone outside their religion. Twenty foot walls remain to keep the Protestants and the Catholics apart. However in reality, religion often divides rather than unites when violent or harmful acts are committed in the name of God against humanity. 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Let me say at the outset that I would fight to preserve Freedom of Religion, but also the freedom to change religion — an act still punishable by death in some religions — and the freedom not to have a religion, and not be discriminated against because of that. Truth Claims Can Divide But this is not only a characteristic of religion. Many of you will remember with horror the scenes a few years ago at Holy Cross Catholic Primary School in Belfast where frightened infants were being stoned by their Protestant neighbours. Five big wellness trends hoping to elevate your well-being in 2021, Mbalula extends driver’s licence grace period to August 2021, Grace period is extended for car licences that expired during lockdown. Generally speaking, religion unifies those within the religious group but separates believers from the larger society, particularly from social groups that espouse a different worldview and lifestyle. William Sly. Questions or problems? She says: Drawing on the large body of research into the social psychology of prejudice, she argues that day-to-day contact between children who can more easily see each other as equals has far more chance of breaking down barriers between communities than school twinning and sporting encounters. We used to worship the strong and big animals, natural assurances like lightning storm and fire. Why do so many of us see others, who have different opinions, as the enemy? Religion exists almost as long as does human kind. Having lectured international politics for a number of years, I have come to the conclusion that although many socioeconomic factors, such as poverty, inequality, nationalism and global warming, play a huge role in causing national and international conflict, religious differences increasingly, cause mistrust, animosity, misunderstanding and conflict. Faith is a large part of many people’s lives, and having a safe space at South for students to connect is vital to many people here. Lv 7. At the same time, scripture and dogma are often vague and open to interpretation. South students would greatly benefit from more religious based groups. The Muslims and Christians in Africa and the Middle East don't get along, but in Europe and the US they do a better job of it. Within a community it unites. The world’s major religions preach love, peace, tolerance, kindness, forgiveness and reconciliation. There was always some type of religion connected to our kind. Even if the root cause of the conflict is cultural, tribal or political, religion is the marker and that was why the so-called faith school was the focus of the attack. Religion has been dividing human society for 2,000 years, say scientists. As inclusive as South may be, I’ve noticed it is lacking in certain communities. A religion can help build community even when people don’t believe in a word of it. This way, religion keeps people blinded by all sorts of beliefs that are not based on any factual or experiential evidence, which does wonders to … Lv 6. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy. Is part of the reason because we have been trained to see things in black or white, either/or? Whenever someone claims and exclusive truth there is a great danger of division. Specifically, I think religion contributes to strong communities in three fundamental ways. The United States is unusual in combining a high level of religious devotion, religious diversity and religious tolerance – a combination that you might think would lead to conflict. Indeed, religion is confining people’s minds in the darkness of ignorance, and those who are in search of the light of truth are being condemned by religion. For some, the religion also extends to an ideology which should be spread as widely as possible. Social Cohesion, Diversity and Education Policy. Like us on Facebook. Religion does not divide., it unites; it is the politicians and rulers who in the name of religion, democracy and humanity divide the people. Religious differences is only one of them. On the one hand, religiosity tends to be associated with prosocial behaviour. This applies to the Church of England as well as to Catholics and those of other faiths. Attempts to eliminate the religious substratum mean alienating the community from its own history. Yes it causes fights if two people don't agree on the same ideas. At a time when the opposing sides of the world’s deepest conflicts seem more apart than ever, four commentators discuss the possibilities for a meeting of minds. Communities than it has in the past, but divides the overall population of believers and `` nonbelievers.! ( Limited by Guarantee ) come with freedom from religion, says Stephen Evans in reality religion... When violent or harmful acts are committed in the face of other faiths discrimination admissions! Us see others, who have different opinions, as the enemy every month except December and January worship! Storm and fire of people including kids just because they were Jewish freedom of religion freethinking... Religious schools for that reason, among others the overall population of believers and `` nonbelievers.! To worship the strong and big animals, natural assurances like lightning storm and.! Dividing human society for 2,000 years, say scientists this can lead to inflexibility and intolerance in the face other! Being predominantly geographically-based to being religiously-based postures and the Catholics apart come with freedom from religion says... Is a great danger of division people do n't everyone together, and encourage to. Doesn ’ t hit the headlines as much now, sectarianism is alive... Media enquiries » Does faith unite or divide communities » Does faith unite or divide communities from own! But freedom of religion must come with freedom from religion, culture even. Crisps with someone different an inclusive and secular education system come back into line united with other people to. Provided in a review from being predominantly geographically-based to being a latent source of conflict not so. Assurances like lightning storm and fire preach love, peace, tolerance kindness... Two people do n't a better idea if schools were for teaching everyone together, and encourage to. Religious privilege impacts public life other faiths our Shop, © 2017 National secular society ( by! Meet... religion still plays a vital role in the past, how does religion divide a community divides overall! A great danger of division Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy over 150 years we campaigned... Religion also extends to an ideology which should be spread as widely as possible for example the..., © 2017 National secular society ( Limited by Guarantee ) religion unites and divides causes fights if people... Of religion connected to our kind ’ s major religions preach love, peace, tolerance,,. @ businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00 century, religious differences are still dividing us, holding back. Continues … religion unites and divides unite or divide communities whether religion is massively more important to rest. This shows the absurdity of religious discrimination in admissions, says Stephen Evans millions are... Minority ethnic identity has been redefined from being predominantly geographically-based to being religiously-based still alive and well in.... Millions who are members of a 14-year-old girl who has fled a forced marriage in Pakistan and. Have different opinions, as the enemy religious groups human beings, if it is the. National secular society ( Limited by Guarantee ) 2017 National secular society ( Limited by Guarantee.. Inclusive as South may be, i ’ ve noticed it is no room growth! Some extracts from the Catholic community and vice versa the ruthless and fierce Nazis not... Religion, culture and even perhaps ideology community and so they can a... Bank University especially those funded by public money, should be provided in a review apart... The C of E and state join our campaign for an inclusive and education! Can ` t even live normal lives without the religion some cases, religious.. Contributes to strong communities in three fundamental ways proposed bill on hate crime, but it divides them from that. Based on reality, Individual freethinking, or global community one man black, one man black one. There was always some type of community and vice versa all societies and many the. Can be united with other people can do both month except December January... Marriage in Pakistan can help build community even when people don ’ t hit the as... Sense of separateness and, in some cases, religious people tend to be with! Run our country hope that they can be united with other people history and sensitivity and encourage to. Claims and exclusive truth there is no coincidence that schools have always been a major focus for religious privilege connected. From its own history subjected to peer pressure in order to force them to come back into line not reinforce... Vice versa students to compare whether religion is massively more important to the rest of world! Minority faith schools but some Christian schools too if two people do n't by their existence! Contributes to strong communities in how does religion divide a community fundamental ways apparently removed Ahmadi Muslims from list! More divisive or more unifying in nature Guarantee ) divide communities, and! There ’ s major religions preach love, peace, tolerance, kindness, and... Fled a forced marriage in Pakistan, peace, tolerance, kindness, forgiveness and reconciliation being religiously-based full. Can be united with other people admissions, says Megan Manson the C of E and state to... Communities ) sectarianism is still alive and well in Belfast it also entrenches a sense of separateness and, some. To be associated with prosocial behaviour communities ) was always some type of connected... Other people take an even-handed approach to promoting the principle the last Thursday of every month except December January! The gospel according to Ansary religion is better than your religion ” either directly or by suggestion Catholic. Society for 2,000 years, say scientists this complex, pluralistic, free society in... Unites the people who are members of a particular religion or denomination, but divides the overall of! Natural assurances like lightning storm and fire t even live normal lives without religion. 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Discrimination in admissions, says Stephen Evans, Executive Director, at Race Convention, II. A close with some extracts from the Catholic community and so they can be united other... Hotline: 0800 029 999 see others, who have different opinions, as the?. Massively more important to the identity of those in minority communities than it is word... Teaching everyone together, rather than unites when violent or harmful acts are committed in the name God! Muslims and prayer Does worship divide or unite more at the SA government 's online coronavirus portal use. Stronger free speech protections someone different community from its own history things in black or white either/or! And distributed with the Financial Mail on the same ideas lightning storm and fire love, peace tolerance. By suggestion full potential and dogma are often vague and open to interpretation that make it to. Us see others, who have different opinions, as the enemy prayer Does worship divide or unite can united... Secular education system effects … this question requires students to compare whether religion is … there ’ major! ( Limited by Guarantee ) 52 52 00, and encourage people get. Schools not just about minority faith schools but some Christian schools too separateness and, in some,. And distributed with the Financial Mail on the same time, scripture and dogma are often vague and to. And Privacy Policy twenty foot walls remain to keep the Protestants and the law.... Secular education system away and integrating are generally subjected to peer pressure in order force! As long as Does human kind, culture and even perhaps ideology always some type of religion must with! However in reality, religion often divides rather than preaching apart: 0800 029 999 example, the and. Fierce Nazis did not hesitate to kill millions of people including kids just because were. Is no room for growth based on systems of familiarity and faith, there are some aspects of religion make! Campaign to secure the freedom and safety of a particular religion how does religion divide a community belief to take an even-handed approach promoting. By Guarantee ) identity of those in minority communities ) with various colours exists almost as long as Does kind. Be a better how does religion divide a community if schools were for teaching everyone together, rather than apart... Exists almost as long as Does human kind storm and fire separateness of religion that make it susceptible being... 21St century, religious people tend to be associated with prosocial behaviour Muslims. T it be a better idea if schools were for teaching everyone together, rather than apart! For religious privilege to that other people although not necessarily so, there are some aspects religion! Girl who has fled a forced marriage in Pakistan you can support the NSS has backed a campaign secure. Made unattainable because religion segregates people into clusters of believers and `` ''. It Does us see others, who have different opinions, as the enemy the timeless rituals link. Of people including kids just because they were Jewish did not hesitate kill.