@sam
I appreciate your honesty. Well done.

If a society is afflicted by gross economic inequities or oppressed by an inexcusable regime it would be seriously misguided to think that religion is all that is necessary to resolve the conflict. Worse, it could make society more violent by masking the underlying problems, and thereby, unwittingly or wittingly, taking sides in the conflict. That does not mean that religious intervention cannot be an important element in the conflict resolution process. It just means that it should not distort that process with a narrow agenda.

Mahatma Gandhi understood this well and therefore undertook to study and interpret the Bhagavad-Gita, ancient Sanskrit epic Mahabharata, and reinterpreted the role of battle, in order to make PRINCES and GODS into teachers of a peaceful path in life. Gandhi’s concern was to provide a model for religious observance that simultaneously creates tolerance. Gandhi’s concept of lived religiosity that is both authentic and pluralistic needs to be examined as a model for contemporary societies that mix people of many faiths.

Those, like Gandhi, and many others, who find it quite natural to honor and encourage other religious traditions have a sense of self that is inclusive of but not exhausted by their own religious affiliation. Their religious world-view does not confine them to one identity. They see and define themselves as religious adherents of one faith and practice, but also as human beings standing in communal relation with other valued human beings.

Prolific author professor of theology Hans Kung often repeats his maxim that there can be no peace among nations without peace among religions, and no peace among religions without dialogue among religions.

Thus a part of a much wider effort not just to bring together the visible symbols of living religion but to explore why their differences matter as part of humanity’s heritage and reality and how much, despite our differences, we have in common.

King Abdullah of Jordon at the UN world interfaith harmony urged that: “It is … essential to resist forces of division that spread misunderstanding and mistrust, especially among peoples of different religions…Humanity everywhere is bound together, not only by mutual interests, but by shared commandments to love God and neighbor; to love the good and neighbor.”

The aim is thus to work through interfaith dialogue and common action to counter the idea and reality of a clash of other religious traditions. Compassion in life is ethically and spiritually based. Using ancient religious ethics to solve modern conflicts is the art of using ancient wisdom to create our future, and to keep humanity alive in a sustainable manner.

I believe we majority of Sri Lankan’s are racists.even though no body would accept it this is who we are. yet our majority of sri lankan do not open their mind to the reality of what is happening.we all need to change..it is the hardest thing.if we are to live in peace in the years to come politicians should change.the system should change..I was a very big supporter for mahinda.i have defended him in the past.but as i see it now.he is same as others, which is a “”lire”” one thing i can say..if this continues in our country it will be another sudan..political unrest and people will start to fight against each other.

I am a Buddhist and a Sinhaleese, we all have to look at this from a different viewpoint.