Page 10 - IB December 2024

We Say

RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE

By Netani Rika In a multi-ethnic, multi-religious country such as ours,
ignorance and intolerance threaten national progress, unity,
Misinformation, disinformation and ignorance are what you and prosperity.
might describe as the unholy trinity of religious intolerance. We must look to our education system to teach an
They are the keys to religious fundamentalism around the understanding and appreciation of other faiths.
world. The conflict between Palestinians and Jews in Gaza, This is not about conversion. It is about understanding the
the destruction of mosques in India, and the century-long minds and hearts of our neighbours—their misconceptions and
terror in Northern Ireland can be traced back to religious fears—and finding ways in which to reach out and help.
intolerance and fundamentalism. Learning about Fiji's religions and cultures, belief systems
And in most cases, the use of religious language and and philosophy must be part of the curriculum through
symbols has been central to driving messages of hate to spur primary and secondary schools.
people into action. We must develop reading material —textbooks, stories—
Neighbour turns against neighbour, friend becomes foe, written for our people, by our people. In this way, we open
families are divided, all in the name of serving an invisible, our hearts and minds.
almighty deity. And we must develop a culture of reading, learning,
Christian or Muslim, Hindu or Jew - all are affected in the discussion and understanding.
same way by misinformation, disinformation and ignorance. Our understanding of religious beliefs which underpin
Yet all claim to serve a God of love, mercy and compassion. society must be more than a cursory chapter in Class Five
Fiji has not been immune to religious intolerance. social science.
The coups of 1987 and 2000 saw surges in Christian We must strive to understand our neighbours. It is through
fundamentalism, as well as the use of biblical language greater understanding that we drive out the fear responsible
concerning land ownership and the concepts of ownership and for so much of our violent past.
belonging. Free of fear, we become able to love.
Even today on social media, the degree of separation From a Christian perspective - Love the Lord your God with
between a seemingly innocuous post about the national rugby all your heart, all your soul and all your mind. And love your
team can descend—within three comments—into an all out neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than
religious and more often racial war. this.
Why? Because, despite our coexistence since 1879, May I leave you with this from the great Rabindranath
governments, religious groups, communities, families, and Tagore:
individuals have not done enough to teach people about other Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
faiths. Where knowledge is free
Faith leaders—often maintaining handling positions as Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by
holders of The Truth—fail to engage with other faiths. narrow domestic walls
In Fiji, the Christian faith alone appears intent on Where words come out from the depth of truth
destroying other branches of Christianity on social media Where tireless striving stretches it's arms towards
every day. perfection
As individuals, we have failed to learn enough about our Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into
own faiths. the dreary desert sand of dead habit
The use of scripture to turn minds is most effective when Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever widening
people do not know the basic tenets of their own faith. thought and action
Ignorance becomes a fertile breeding ground for intolerance Into that heaven of freedom, father, let my country
and violence. awake.

10 Islands Business, December 2024