The initiative taken by Pope Francis to hold a
multi-religious prayer gathering with Palestinian and Israeli Christians, Muslims
and Jews in the courtyard of the Vatican palace is commendable.
The action is apparently in the perspective of
peace and harmony in the region but it has global ramifications.
China
and India have both grown into world military powers and if the current trend
continues, in a decade or two both may acquire super-power status dwarfing the
existing powers.
China is a communist country and although the
Chinese leaders have not shown the same contempt for religion as their defunct
Soviet Union counterparts, one can hardly expect them to do any good to the
adherents of the Biblio-Quranic faiths.
Although the Indians claim to be secular and
followers of the slain nonviolent Mahatma Gandhi, the recent upsurge in “hindutwa”
or Aryanism leading up to the election of Mr. Modi as prime minister does raise
an alarm. Deadly religious violence against Christians and Muslims is a regular
occurrence and is often backed by extremist Hindu political outfits. Given the
right factors, Indian Aryanism may quickly grow into a monstrosity exceeding
German Nazism of the 20th century. Let us not forget that the swastika originated
in India and is still a common symbol in Hindu shrines.
Historically, India was ruled by Christians
during the century preceding its independence in 1947 and by Muslims for nearly
four centuries preceding that. Although none of the reigns was tyrannical,
biased historians can easily distort facts to raise mass hysteria.
Historic revenge is a strange phenomenon. It
remains in the subconscious of nations and may show up centuries or even
millennia later. The sudden resurgence of black slavery in North America during
the last few centuries may be linked to the Exodus of Israel from Egypt. They
were held in servitude by the Negro Pharaohs and the tales of their persecution
are harrowing. It is possible that buying
African slaves and treating them badly was an act of misplaced historic
revenge.
If the faithful people of the world do not
unite in peace now, they may get exterminated by the newly emerging pagan
super-powers in the long run.
To read manuscript of my book “What and Why I
Believe” click on link below:
Feedback will be welcome.
http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/news/detail/articolo/francis-34578/
