Respect - Understanding Coexistence
Respect is the proper way of showing the real essence of coexistence. It is recognizing your fellowmen’s differences to your own way of life without any prejudice or bias.
No man is an island. Everyone is a member of this world. Wherever you are, you are as important as everyone else. Whether you are rich or poor, all must show respect to each other as a basic tenet of any religion.
There shouldn’t be any discrimination on whether what one believes in. Respect is more than a word. It is part of life process that must be understood in all aspects.
Whether Muslim or Christian, we need to respect each other’s faith or we will just be debating on issues that would eventually lead to greater conflicts. World peace can be diversely defined by having a wider acceptance of the true meaning of “unity in diversity.”
In times of hardships and difficulties, it doesn’t really matter what your religion is. What matters most is your willingness to give a helping hand to your brethren and help them survive the daily struggles and let them feel their worth as a human being. Kindness should not only be head knowledge or only found in values book, but rather it must be seen in actuality.
Certainly, the world is too big to explore. Every nation has its own customs and traditions. We can never impose on someone what to believe in. But we can respect each other’s ways and work together for the common good.
The golden rule prevails in all religions, “Do unto others what you would like others do unto to you.” Real Christians, Muslims and other inter-faiths adhere to that. Doing good to others without asking anything in return can do no harm.
If only all nations will work for the promotion of world peace rather than wasting lives by violent acts of war, then the generations to come will have a less stressful and worry-free dwelling place. Communication lines must be free from biases and reservations. If one ear is tainted with color, then communicating is treated as nonsense.
All efforts among nations have an impact to the greater whole and to the future of the inhabitants of the world 20 years from now.
It is never too late to rekindle ties and understand each other’s beliefs. We need respect to be understood and recognize every nation’s beliefs.
If everyone is gearing towards world peace — respect, truth and justice — can never go wrong and compromise can be a least priority.
Everything starts from respect, although this is a word that world leaders need to fully understand by heart.
(This article was a reaction to the December 25 Brunei Times’ editorial titled, “Respect, not compromise.”)
| Maynard Joseph Delfin finished AB Journalism (cum laude) at the University of Santo Tomas. He has worked as book editor, deskman, copy editor and research and publications officer in leading publishing and research companies in the Philippines. Read more of his blogs at http://maynard_delfin.instablogs.comArticle Source: enzinearticles.com |