Voices of Faith: How can people of faith be good examples for peace?

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Voices of Faith: How can people of faith be good examples for peace?

SERVING OTHERS BRINGS PEACE

A.M. Bhattacharyya, an active member of Hindu Community: People endowed with the power of faith have all the stimulus for peace. As a Hindu I believe that the core teachings of all religions are virtues like purity, nonviolence, honesty, compassion, forgiveness, kindness, selflessness, charity and love, which translate into peace.

To be a good example of peace a person of faith must refrain from making any derogatory comment about another faith. Such comment not only shows the person's ignorance about another faith, it also hurts the sentiments of the people of that faith, which is not conducive for religious harmony and peace in the community. Faith leaders should encourage interfaith dialogues, interfaith seminars and meetings to create understanding and reverence for different faith traditions. The greater Kansas City area has made tremendous progress toward this goal, thanks to the initiative taken by a local faith leader, the Rev. Vern Barnet about 25 years ago.

Humanitarian service is another good example of peace. Swami Vivekananda, an eminent 19th century Vedantic monk and philosopher, said, "When I asked God for peace, he showed me how to help others." When he established Ramakrishna Mission in 1897, service to humanity was the mission's main goal. Relief and rehabilitation became an act of worship. There are many dedicated faith-inspired organizations in Hindu faith and in other faith traditions who are serving humanity in distress. They all are best examples of peace.

MUSLIMS SHOULD FOLLOW GOLDEN PRINCIPLE

Syed E. Hasan, Ph.D., Midland Islamic Council: The word Islam is derived from an Arabic root that means peace; peace in all its manifestations: among nations, people, individuals and in the hereafter. Muslims, during their five daily prayers, ask Allah to grant peace not only to themselves but to Prophet Muhammad and Prophet Abraham (may Allah be pleased with them) and their followers as well.

One of the fundamental principles that govern a Muslim's life is "striving for everything that is good and prohibiting all that is bad." This golden principle, if followed in the right way, would not only ensure peace among people but will also bring the much-needed and everlasting inner peace within an individual - something that is so sadly missing in modern societies.

During the time of Prophet Muhammad, and for several centuries afterwards, when Islam was practiced from Spain in the west to Indonesia in the east, people and nations lived in peace and harmony. Conflicts were at a minimum, and human intellect thrived, leading to monumental discoveries and inventions that constitute the bedrock of modern science and technology. This could happen only because the golden principle was followed both in letter and spirit.

All followers of Islam must adhere to the golden principle; anyone who claims him/herself to be a Muslim and commits an act that harms people is out of the faith and not worthy of being called a Muslim.

VOICES OF FAITH

Send your questions for one of our panels of religion columnists to Helen Gray at The Star, 1729 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO. 64108. Send email to hgray@kcstar.com.

Posted on Wed, Apr. 06, 2011 12:38 PM

(source: kansascity.com)
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