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Religion and Religious Fanaticism...
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It is only the so-called priests or teachers of Dharma who take undue advantages of the faith or blind-faith, meekness and ignorance of their followers. In politics, religion is helpful; but politics in religion gives birth to many an evil.
The teachers of religious principles, in order to expand the size of the crowd of follow.ers' and to enlarge the amount of wealth-property and the power, are used to adopt so many strange methods to attract large crowds in the public programmes. In order to satisfy their ego, such so-called religious leaders go on saying continually to their followers that “Our religion or sect is the only true ‘Dharma'.” Moreover, due to the intellectual void and blind trend of imitation, the spiritual teachers, get what they want and what is convenient to them.
What is currently happening in the world in modern times, is in consequence of the fact that the terrorists are being intoxicated with the poisons of fanaticism. It is so said that, “This is the duty or ‘moral' work in order to defend Dharma, and in the process of doing these, even if perhaps you die, you are fortunate; as such a death will surely reward you with a stay in heaven; and will give you luxuries and happiness either of ‘liberation' (Moksha) or of a heaven.” Self-immolation, selfdedication, human-bomb or cruel suicidal attacks are the products of religious fanaticism.
To confine religion to one particular circle and for drawing scattered lines and for religious fanaticism, the perverted interpretations of religion are also responsible; as for example, as it is said like this in the Geeta ::
One's own religion, however unqualified, is better than well-practised foreign religion. It is far better to die doing one's own duties; but living in the realm of other's religion is terrible.
In this whole sloka, 'Swa' or one's own means the soul,
