Religion makes us better human beings
Spirituality as an immaterial need of each individual, can be considered a primary part of man, more precisely, as that part that together with other objects of reason and reason itself, makes us human. When we address the issue of spirituality, it is necessary to have a general perspective of it and, from there, deepen the most subjective concepts taking care not to mix or confuse them. Spirituality fulfills a fundamental role in what to social development concerns.
If there were a ranking of the best religions, Islam would have been far behind lately, probably behind many sects. ISIS, Al Qaeda, Boko Haram, and as all Islamist terrorist groups are called, they have thoroughly mistreated the reputation of the world’s second largest religion. The rest of the goodwill has been destroyed by the attacks of Nice, Paris, Berlin, etc. But other world religions fight against image loss. Orthodox Jews, scattered throughout Western countries, isolate and protect themselves from all forms of integration. In addition, its hostile behavior and strict religious dogmas causes cause misunderstanding. Israel also does not acquire sympathy for the Jewish state with its settlement policy and oppression of the Palestinians. The Catholic Church also has an image problem with its backward and misogynist policies. The sexual aggressions of many clergy and the hesitant prosecution of the scandals do not lead exactly to the good reputation.
But what about the ranking of the faithful? Or vice versa: what religion produces "more human people"? Or: What religious community can better guide and motivate believers to ethical and moral action?
The final answers are difficult, but one thing is clear;Basically, all religions want the same, instill in believers human values and be altruistic. It is a possible "without sin" behavior, social and responsible. In that sense, the values transmitted by most religions and denominations are interchangeable.
However, the surprising thing is that practically all religions do not comply with the values that give believers. Although they preach modesty and tolerance, they themselves fight for power and influence;His missionary activity not only serves to recruit as many souls as possible for the supposedly correct God, the objective is also to expand the sphere of influence.
The most aggressive mission is undoubtedly that of Islam. But also the Catholic Church and free churches have been in every corner of the world for centuries to turn the last inhabitants of the jungle and ‘pagans’. (A term that only expresses intolerance and must be eliminated from vocabulary in this context).
The Catholic Church demonstrates another contradiction. While Jesus, as itinerant preacher, lived asceticly and poverty, his today representatives and dignitaries reside partly in magnificent palates. And they control land that once snatched corrupt politicians.
In addition, the clergy of most religious communities show that they themselves cannot begin to implement the claims of their faith. Therefore, it is a hypocritical when they demand an ethical and moral behavior of their believers and threaten them with eternal condemnation. Therefore, the question arises, what benefits do religions and communities of faith contribute, which are full of contradictions and questionable developments? Wouldn’t it be honest if they openly and honestly relativize the claim of being guardians of morals and ethics? And if they recognize that even people who have never heard of God develop a sense of justice and a moral conscience and try to live according to it? That would add a lot to your own credibility. But this shadow seems too great for them to jump on it.
Religions represent truths that, in their opinion, are absolutely valid and, for many years, it was possible that in each place in the world there was only one religion;thus facilitating credibility these. Today we must live with peoples and ideologies other than ours, then creating the need for a pluralistic democracy that recognizes the fundamental right of religious freedom, all can be saved in their favor. The State does not impose a ‘true’ religion, because that would lead to discrimination and conflict.
Democratic structures (parliament, government, public authorities) are only the skeleton of democracy. But meat and blood are important;A democracy is really alive only when each individual feels that it belongs to be heard. Only those who feel saved in the midst of democracy are immune to the call of the radicals. Democracy is not only a form of government but a principle of life. As it becomes a principle of life from the state form, there is no magic recipe, the form must be found by each country.
The Colombian people have been strongly influenced by spirituality throughout its history, particularly by Catholicism, whose ethical principles have not contributed most to the positive development of the country. I consider this point then, that it is necessary to clarify the role that religion plays in a country with democratic foundations such as ours. A society that lives in democracy demands for each of its individuals equal rights, that is, it does not allow any religious majority or minority to exercise power over others. A religion will not impose laws to an individual oblivious to his Church, thus creating the need for applicable general rules for a whole people with convincing, laws that will determine the good behavior of each individual who lives in a society. This will then be what we will call justice in a social state of law, a State that will aim to generate the necessary conditions so that the individuals who inhabit it, act well in society.
But how do religion and democracy relate to each other? This question is the most difficult and important. I know that religion can not only be compatible with democracy, but can promote it, a German judge once said: “The State lives in conditions that it cannot create. Democracy needs an ethical culture broth, and religion can help prepare it."
I want to say something personal. I also live my faith. I am Catholic and moderately active in the Church. Of course, my Christianity has to do with my actions in society, I do not abandon my religion at home when I go to class in the morning. The Koran affirms in a moment: "God has not put two hearts in man’s chest, but one". Yes, my Christian faith also inspires my actions, but my faith should not become the object of my ideology against the world and certainly not in a weapon against people of other religions.
That is why the apostle Peter says in the Bible: "Honor everyone". In this sense, a mosque, a church or a synagogue is never there only for the faithful, but for the good of the entire district. If religion does not exclude anyone, it can strengthen society and it is the task of the ‘secular’ members of the religious community to involve politically as citizens. They must promote and work for their beliefs in the field of democracy in accordance with their beliefs and in accordance with state laws. Therefore, religions coincide with the claim of truth and pluralistic society so that they can live together in peace and defend the secular principle, the diversity of political and religious spheres. In a nutshell, a pluralistic democracy does not demand religious leaders who politicize, a pluralistic democracy demands members of the religious communities that are presented as mature and citizens believers.
Thus, determining if an individual is good, implies asking before, good whom? If we are looking for an individual endowed with values that allow their coexistence in society, we will undoubtedly go to the laws of a democratic state as a resource. Yes, on the other hand, we seek a decent individual representative of a religious group, they will be nothing more than the same members of this religion who may affirm their goodness.
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