The topic for next week's forum which is to appear on Saturday is:

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Sushmita Shrivastava: Yes people should be encouraged to follow balanced approach on religion, as all religions teach us to respect the religions and beliefs of other people. No religion teaches violence or hurting others. Religions teach us to be kind towards humans and all living creatures. There is no place for cruelty in any religion. Therefore a balanced approach on religion will help in preventing confrontations between people of different faiths. Those who propound extremist views on religion, do so for their own vested interests. These people do not hesitate to indulge in violence in the name of religion and will even kill others. Such people are in fact followers of no religion and a blemish on the face of humanity.

Syed Zia Ul Hasan Naqvi: Religion is nothing but a specific system of belief and worship- it is very sacred and sacrosanct for its followers. If religion is used in its right perspective then it can be very useful in every sphere of life, particularly for peace and tranquility in this world.

Every religion is based on moral and ethics hence it is also a good code of conduct for the public at large. But nowadays religion is being misinterpreted and misused by the religious heads and public to such an extent that it is beyond comprehension of ordinary people. Nowadays the image of religion has been completely tarnished by the vested interests.

In such a morass it is necessary that the people should be encouraged to follow a balanced view of religion. So that religion can regain its old high and respectable position in society.

RJ Khurana: Yes, indeed emphatically yes. Marx was so disillusioned with the use of religion as justification for the perpetuation of poverty and deprivation that he called religion as "the opium of the masses." History is replete with crusades of one religion against the other wars and killing and bloodshed of the innocent and the helpless in the name of religion. True religion teaches compassion, non-violence, tolerance, love, sharing, brotherhood, humility, equality, altruism, self-effacement and self-discipline. This, indeed, is a balanced view of religion. These constitute universal truths. It is these universal truths that the people should be encouraged to follow. The world will be a far better place to live.

Lijo Joseph: In my opinion people should be encouraged to follow a balanced view on religion. The ever-increasing cases of suppression and oppression of minority religions and specially the recent cases of ill-treatment of the Christian community in Orissa speak volumes about the religious intolerance among the people of India, a country which is well known for its unity in diversity.

Today the religious lessons and values have taken a backseat in people's lives and the tendency to go berserk in the name of religion has increased which we call as religious fanaticism. No matter what the religion of a person is, but the most important fact is that we all are humans. What is needed is to respect all humans equally, their faith, their beliefs, culture and religion. It's the same Almighty the creator of all whom different people praise and worship in different forms and names.

In this rapidly developing world, for no reason should various religions fight and hamper the growth of the society. Today what the nation calls for from each responsible citizen is to adopt `humanity' as their foremost religion and thus develop and maintain a well balanced view on religions of all people, keeping in mind:

`Without humanism,

Religion makes no sense.

Adopt humanism,

And fights and disputes will be past tense'

AB Mehta: Religions originated to guide the human beings for ethical way of living. These were defined by the religious leaders or so called representatives of GOD either verbally or through scriptures. Unfortunately the practice of religions in due course degenerated into power politics to gain control over the society.

Binding rituals and practices were prescribed and common people were made to follow these for fear of earning the displeasure of GOD if not practiced. Today the ethical living has become secondary and the practice of most religions is primarily through following certain prescribed religious practices. For a balanced view of all religions, a linkage between science and religion or the existence of God may be essential.

Dr Bhowmick, the eminent laser scientist, says that when we are 'alive' there is some sort of coherence that gives us the ability to 'understand'. Cosmology, the science of cosmos, also points to the existence of a singular governing force. Are mind and matter but different projections from some very orderly process where this division does not exist? Is there one source in this understanding that is both primary field of our universe and consciousness?

It would be logical to infer that this one source of spiritual tradition is part of scientific reality. Is this one source same as GOD? Alternately, the concept of God being within us and religions being only guidance to discover HIM, can make us take a balanced view of all religions as having a common aim.

Anil Kumar: India is a big country with enough diversity. In ancient days there was unity and national feeling among the people but the Britishers sowed the seeds of disintegration to destroy our unity and nationality on the basis of religion, caste, province, language etc. Disintegration is one of the biggest problems of India and it seems as it is not a nation but simply a crowd of separate individuals each differing from the other, yet living together. Communal riots are of daily occurrence and politicians cash these riots as votes. So to maintain communal harmony in India people should be encouraged to follow balanced view on religion. If we get united then we can become the most powerful country in the world. We cannot under estimate the teaching and power of religion yet science has now become a part of our daily life. We are living in Science and Information Technology age. All impossibilities of yesterday have become the possibilities of today. There are things which were not even in our imagination previously. Now, we are travelling by air, talking with a person sitting thousands of kilometres away, even we have made robots who work like human beings. Science has provided us many devices to have control over fatal diseases. So in this era when people fight on religion it seems very awkward because every religion teaches us to live like brothers; it is only politicians who take undue advantage of religion. So, people should be encouraged to follow a balanced view on religion.

Subhash C Agrawal: It is a hypothetical question in itself. Pseudo-secular leaders in India are always under compulsion of vote-bank politics to sing parrot-like tune to people of majority community to bear all fundamentalism of others in name of communal harmony, thus practically causing more harm by provoking fundamentalism amongst Hindus also even though basic principles of Hinduism are based on religious tolerance and peace. Majority of Indians are religious-minded, and they can be provoked to go to any extent in name of religion by religious fundamentalists who presently dominate Indian politics. Others talking of 'secularism' are in fact pseudo-secularists having their inner-heart feelings attached with some or other religious fundamentalism. As such it is of no use talking for people to be encouraged to follow a balanced view on religion.

Krishna Chander Mouli: Yes. Religion with extreme views is fundamentalism and sometimes it is fascism too. Interpretation of religion in a balanced manner provides sufficient space for a comparative study of different views and thoughts and enables understanding the true spirit of religion.

After-all in superficial practice what is religion. It is nothing more or nothing less than some traditional rituals supported by some dogmatic dictats and edicts strictly observed and enforced by religious leaders, groups and by pseudo-religious authorities. But seriously religion in letter and spirit is an introspection for salvation. It aims at realising the one and only GOD of the Universe. Religion does not recognise many GODs, though there can be any number of his incarnations and messengers. God is definitely perceived differently and in different names. Yet religion does not preach hatred on these lines. It does not even compel a non-believer or believer in some other religion to bring him/her into any one fold of perception through coercion. All religions show the path of truth, virtues, humanity, brotherhood, belief of being sons/daughters of one GOD, love, compassion and service to mankind. The only difference between one religion and another is the variety of shades of light that lead mankind from darkness to awareness and enlightenment. Religion is an instrument of penance, meditation, transformation, acquiring miraculous powers and ultimately realisation of GOD. Whenever such a powerful instrument is misused the result is a destruction of New York towers type horrendous tragedy at the international level and Gujarat type pogroms at the national level. If properly used the result is nothing but peace, prosperity and harmony. It is therefore necessary that people all over the world are encouraged to always interpret, understand and follow a balanced view on religion and religious matters. Fanaticism and fanatic interpretations of any type are not religion but a blind illogical faith which is nothing but brain-washing in the name of religion.

Satish Kumar Singh: Undoubtedly India is a secular country. In spite of that, there is forever prospect of conflict among supporters of different communities. Since independence we have been facing proceedings of riots in India. Riots of Bhagalpur, Bihar Sharif, Gujarat, and Mumbai are still fresh in our minds. What happened after assassination of Indira Gandhi and demolition of Babri mosque? We know it very well. It is high time for us to analyze the whole affair conscientiously and adopt corrective measures instantaneously. In other words, we can say that affiliation among diverse communities is very scrawny. India is a country of different castes, religions, communities, creeds and languages. Among these, religious conviction is very sensitive issue. On account of beliefs, India has faced more than a few times religious clashes. In this connection, we should always keep in our mind, such type of spar come out with catastrophe and that will be fatal for the nation. So, there is great need to develop balanced view on the issue of creed. We can do it without any problem.

But for this we will have to follow following measures diligently-:

1-We always keep in our mind provisions of constitution.

2-We boost up tolerance level among children in family and this process should continue in school and college level too.

3-At least for the sake of nation, our political leaders avoid themselves from instigating the minds of uneducated people.

4-Literacy level must be increased.

5-We follow the sermon of our religions, because not any faith teaches us to breach the law of religious conviction. Without a doubt, India USP is unity in diversity. But by and by this USP is disintegrating in haste. Depletion of tolerance level is in full swing. Sometimes in the name of regionalism and sometimes in the name of belief, religious mayhem is being worked out by fundamentalism. We are the persons who can stop this process through activism and this activism may come in our minds if we encourage the people to follow a balanced view on the issue of religion.

Gyanendra Mishra: In India religion is a very sensitive matter. Hence it is important that we make a common understanding between religions of different classes of people. In this rapidly developing world, people have to be tolerant towards one another when matter of religious faith is concerned. In the whole world the main cause of war is religious attitude and nothing else. Americans are proud to be Christians and the Arabs will do anything for Islam. Peace and compromise have no place among the people's of the world. But it is also a fact that a common understanding on religions is not easy to come by because no country or leader wants reforms in their system. The same is with India with leaders joining different groups and fighting for personal profit only. Thus we should have a balanced view on our religion.

Dr Balak Ram Kashyap: Yes, such encouragement seems essential in the present day context since the religious/communal flare-ups keep on raising their ugly heads off and on leading to undesirable loss of life and property. India is a multi-religious and multi-lingual country where diverse cultures and faiths co-exist. Besides, we are governed by a secular Constitution in which all our country men have the freedom of worship.It is therefore essential that this provision in the Constitution should be given widest possible publicity among the masses. Besides the heads of various religions/faiths can play a significant role in this regard. Inspite of a variety of modes/methods of worship there is one essential identity among them all. Every religion revolves around a central figure or supreme power known by various names like God, Allah,Parmatma etc. In other words these are the names of the same supreme power . So this power or God can work as a common thread running through all religions and therefore can be considered as a great unifying force. In addition, all religions except the non believers recognize that God is the creator, sustainer and ultimate resort of the universe. If the Almighty God is our creator we are his children and He is our supreme father. Being children of the same father it is imperative that we live in peace and harmony with each other. Ancient Indian sages entertained the belief that all humans inhabiting the globe constitute a single family i.e. vasudhaiva kutumbakam. The celebrated saint Tulsidas the author of Ramayana declared "Parhit saris dharma nahin bhai......." Meaning there is no religion equal to doing good to others (selfless service). The Sikh scripture Sri Guru Granth Saheb asserts "Manas ki jaat sabai ek hi pachhanbo" implying all humans belong to the same caste (or religion).Lord Krishna taught "Ishwaro sarva bhootanam hriddeshe Arjun tishthati....." heart is the abode of God. This signifies the essential unity of all human beings (in fact all jivas or living beings). The holy Quran unequivocally declares the superiority of man kind over the entire creation (Ashraf-ul-makhlukat) while the Bible requires us to love even our neighbour as ourselves. Thus the essential message of all sages and scriptures is the same -love,tolerance and fellow feeling . We have to imbibe the import of the message in our practical life in the interest of abiding peace and communal harmony which are the prime need of the hour. It may be mentioned that in the present times the Nirankari Mission (known as Universal Brotherhood out of India) has brought people of all faiths,languages and cultures on a common platform and is said to be the largest spiritual movement.

RK Kutty: This question itself arises from lack of knowledge about religion itself. Had it been understood no such question would have been asked. Religion is a human creation. It is not a Godly concept. Man have dug many pits and they are falling themselves in their own pits. A real godly person is a balanced one. His views would always be balanced. But at the same time he conveys Godly truth without any fear or favour. Every religious person knows that the truth is one. The real cause of clashes in religious matters occur when people of one faith try to superimpose their faith above the faith of others. This is something which relates to ego problem. Egoists always try to superimpose themselves. And that it shows they have scant knowledge about God or Godly matters. If they are just avoided and patiently perceivers and prayed for their repentance, things can change a lot. Every so called worldly religion passed through such transition and transformation. The history of every religion teaches their so called spiritual heads ultimately submitting and seeking forgiveness to their follies out of ignorance. Be that the Crusades or now the hot pursuit of fundamentalist theologies of others, all will ultimately come round the hard reality that their egoistic contrives cannot take them anywhere but only in destruction of many innocents and themselves. The recent fatwa of the Deoband Darul Uloom against terrorist act is one such step that point towards this reality. Time is not far away every misguided people in the matter of faith or religion, as the world may call it, will understand that the fight over such matters will prove futile, as the mighty one laughs at them over their ignorance/follies. And that day would bring the real peace on this Earth. When people are filled with the true knowledge or wisdom about God, peace will fill the earth like water fills the mighty oceans. Then, and only then, the current violence, bloodshed and disturbances will vanish. What is needed for people who know the truth is relentless prayers, penance and petition that `Thine Kingdom come, Thine will be done on earth as it is in heaven'.

Alka Dixit: Religion forms an important part of our lives. There is not a single person who does not follow any religion. Mainly Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Boudha, Lama etc are the main religions.

As we all know going extreme in any field is always harmful. Same is with religions. Too much rigidity is bad. There should be leniency.

Among Muslims, Shias and Sunnis fight among themselves, Brahmins also fight like hardcore enemies, south Brahmins, north Brahmins fight for their superiority. It's a fact the same red blood is flowing in Hindus as well as Christians' veins. When God has not discriminated religiously, then why should we too?

When God created man there were no Hindus, Muslims or Christians. It's only a man's creation.

Today we see secular Hindu-Muslim marriages. In the past SC/ST people were not allowed to touch temples, wells but now the situation has totally changed. Governments, social reformers encouraged the people to intermingle. Hindus can go to churches, can celebrate Christmas, it's a good sign.

All the religions follow the same preachings like don't lie, God is one, untouchability, ahimsa etc. There is not much disparity in the teachings of Muhammad Sahib, Swami Vivekananda, Ramkrishna Paramhans, Rahim, Ramayana and Jesus.

But, unfortunately some insane people, for their own benefits, try to create communal riots.

Inter-caste, inter-religion marriages can decrease the rate of religious riots. Media, pujaris, cinema, literature can reduce disparities among people. Entire film industry is example of secular society like Sunil Dutt-Nargis, SRK-Gauri.

SS Chitwadgi: Religion is a particular system of faith and worship. India is a nation with multi-religious families. One is born of parents and he is known as belonging to parents' religion, unless he proselytizes to the other through proper channel of a new religion. Hence we owe mostly our ancestral religion to our own family, that is right also since every family is an institution to the youngster to follow faith of practice. I need not count all available religions of our country but two classifications are obvious viz those who believe and those who don't, the latter class is known as atheists. They are not to be blamed for they too are part of the same universe, and follow their own faith of atheism.

So far as encouragement to people to follow a balanced view on religion. Yes, the encouragement is certainly genuine. Religion is a way of life one follows and one practices as one likes as a personal attitude towards one's behaviour and then why the other minds. A balanced attitude is doubly blessed, one that extends to and the other who gets it through general social attitude. In fact, none should mind or criticize the faith the other follows. It is a family practice or a number of similar families constitute as living in a community with mostly common habits and practices of life. A congregation of similar behavioral families goes as a religious community.

Some are vegetarian, and the others are non-vegetarian. Those who are vegetarian should have a balanced view of non- vegetarian. Similarly, in a large population one community uses Bhasma or sacred ash in horizontal while some vertical strips as religious mark but why dispute? A large number of such instances can be narrated but it is enough to summarise to say a balanced view is a dire necessity in social behaviour to maintain peace and tranquility for good lifestyle.

Diversity is a general rule and variety of religions make a composite one with unity and strength. I repeat encouragement of people to follow a balanced view on religion of one's own as well as of others is essential for good society. Most practices depend on the locality factors and professions. For example, farmers of one place worship nearer pilgrim while the others prefer to choose some other place as Kuldevta.

are: First Nitin G Gokarn , Second Kuarpal , Third John Alexander