Don’t misuse religion for political purposes
Feb 11, 2006
Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, Major Archbishop of the Syro Malabar Church has led religious leaders in flaying the misuse of religion for narrow political gains in India.
Kochi (Indian Catholic, February 5,2006) -- Participating in an all-religious meet convened in Manjapra near Kochi, on the sidelines of the ongoing Karppillikkavu temple festival, the religious heads said there is an urgent need for tolerance and harmony among various religions in the country.
Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil in his benedictory speech flayed “certain religious leaders for spreading religious hatred among their followers in India.”
“These religious leaders use their followers as tools to further their own vested interests,” the Syro Malabar Church head pointed out.
“It is high time to fight elements who have been trying to sabotage communal harmony in the country,” he said.
The cardinal said the public should identify these elements and isolate them as they are unfit for moral guidance.
Sreemad Abhayananda Theertha Padhar, the supreme head of Parama Bhattaraka Math in Kerala in this presidential address told the gathering to realize the supreme truth of universe-“aham brahamasmi”-meaning the ultimate union of the human soul and the Almighty.
“There is nothing to be gained by conflicts other than cause harm to the human race. Peace can be attained only from goodness in minds,” he said.
Hafis P H Abdul Gafar Moulavi, the Imam of Valiyapali in Thiruvananthapuram highlighted the need for tolerance among followers of various religions.
“What we need today in our religious and political leadership is the never-ending quest for power and wealth. They should realize that peace can be attained only through the path of love and cooperation,” he said.
The religious leaders attending the meet also lamented the declining values in society and said using religions for political purposes should be sternly opposed by religious heads.
Don’t misuse religion for political purposes