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Religion and Religious Fanaticism...
sides. In fact, religion is not concerned at all with fanaticism. No relation can it have with it. But, unfortunately religion and religious fanaticism have become so parallel moving matters nowadays, that it is difficult to disconnect or separate them.
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Religion is as good as nectar, and fanaticism is a poison. If so, who, when and why mixes poison in it? If fanaticism is associated with Dharma, be sure, Dharma will be annihilated from its very roots. The fanaticism has sprouted because of the prejudices. When one does not have the real understanding of religion, fanaticism creeps up. Some principal factors are sponsors of fanaticism and one of them is the religious priests. They, in order to make their selfish motives fruitful, raise special 'crowds' of different religious faiths, try to establish their superiority or authority. The vested interests of such religious leaders are the breeding grounds of fanaticism.
Another factor is Prejudice
There was a village known for the serpents. At every place in the village the serpents might be seen. The serpents would pass treading on one's toes and would even play with the children. A visitor or guest from outside towns, would be surprised and asked :- "Aren't you afraid of staying with such deadly snakes?" The villager replied calmly, "This is a village of serpents. Here, serpents do not bite."
And in this village one mongoose was born. The parents of that mongoose told "We stay in the village of serpents, but the serpents are our enemies. The baby-mongoose asked "Why are they our enemies ?" The father replied "This enmity is in vogue traditionally. Centuries before, their grandfather had killed our grandfather. So whenever you happen to see a serpent, take chance to kill it shrewdly." The baby replied, "There is no enmity with me in particular; so, why should I kill them? These serpents
