Recently Singapore's Law Minister Shanmugam commented on how few of school kids spoke ill about Islam. When I read the news was alarmed and equally perplexed. Why would children do this and in what capacity are they to judge another religion?
Every religion paves way to the heaven. All of them operate under Project Destination - Heaven, only routes are different. Staying within own beliefs and not nose poking into integrity of other religious beliefs makes a harmonious society. Communal riots are not new to the world, however instigating people into believe something which has no strong evidence and sometimes ending up in elevated tension levels is new. Communities had their own spaces that was nourished and cherished not only by their own faith people but also appreciated, respected by others. This lead to harmonious multi racial, multi religious society. It was and is indeed a need for peaceful living. The balance seem to have been shaken with a more self-centered culture. The attitude grows more with social media and deepens the religious intolerant attitude. Like a north-star glow; in recent years communal harmony are rare. Humanitarian concerns bloom seldom. The recent was during last month Chennai floods when Muslims were let to stay in Sri Parthasarthy temple and even allowed to conduct their daily prayers. They were seen a fellow human beings. Such religious tolerance act are good but seem to only come out from deeply buried minds when nature takes its third position in its relationship with mankind, "You are still not OK, Am also not OK".
Social posts targeting religions have seen a tremendous increase in the past decade. Various religious beliefs are condemned or mocked without knowing the in-depth details. Amygdala is often triggered these days by such social media posts. These posts come with fragmented details and unauthorized claims which make readers to make spurious conclusions without proper analysis. As of 2014, 74% of adults use social media and a whooping 90% of Millennials are in social media (Pew Research Center). Millennials who are young, hot, fragile are mis-guided by such posts and end up in the zone of vulnerability where they break, damaging the holder and cause threat to surrounding. Lack of attention in nurturing children; grow up with lack of fellow consideration which includes respecting other religious beliefs seem a major contributing factor to this effect.
Social Media companies are trying to filter such messages. In March 2014, Facebook pledged to No Religion campaign, but still it is unable to curtail the raise of religious posts. This is mainly due to lack of proper web regulations. Therefore a fire dragon called social media is on the run causing conflagration to minds in its path. A serious downside of social media; which is a double edged sword. If we wait for governments to impose regulations to contain this it may be too late. It is time for a wake up call for individual responsibility which in turn can amalgamate into a collectively responsible society. Let us not allow nature to get into the third stage of relationship with us, come nurture children with right value system instilled in them for a better tomorrow. Groom them as responsible global citizens; guide them in Project Destination-Heaven. As always with any technological advancement; Social media is not all bad, provided used wisely.
Every religion paves way to the heaven. All of them operate under Project Destination - Heaven, only routes are different. Staying within own beliefs and not nose poking into integrity of other religious beliefs makes a harmonious society. Communal riots are not new to the world, however instigating people into believe something which has no strong evidence and sometimes ending up in elevated tension levels is new. Communities had their own spaces that was nourished and cherished not only by their own faith people but also appreciated, respected by others. This lead to harmonious multi racial, multi religious society. It was and is indeed a need for peaceful living. The balance seem to have been shaken with a more self-centered culture. The attitude grows more with social media and deepens the religious intolerant attitude. Like a north-star glow; in recent years communal harmony are rare. Humanitarian concerns bloom seldom. The recent was during last month Chennai floods when Muslims were let to stay in Sri Parthasarthy temple and even allowed to conduct their daily prayers. They were seen a fellow human beings. Such religious tolerance act are good but seem to only come out from deeply buried minds when nature takes its third position in its relationship with mankind, "You are still not OK, Am also not OK".
Social posts targeting religions have seen a tremendous increase in the past decade. Various religious beliefs are condemned or mocked without knowing the in-depth details. Amygdala is often triggered these days by such social media posts. These posts come with fragmented details and unauthorized claims which make readers to make spurious conclusions without proper analysis. As of 2014, 74% of adults use social media and a whooping 90% of Millennials are in social media (Pew Research Center). Millennials who are young, hot, fragile are mis-guided by such posts and end up in the zone of vulnerability where they break, damaging the holder and cause threat to surrounding. Lack of attention in nurturing children; grow up with lack of fellow consideration which includes respecting other religious beliefs seem a major contributing factor to this effect.
Social Media companies are trying to filter such messages. In March 2014, Facebook pledged to No Religion campaign, but still it is unable to curtail the raise of religious posts. This is mainly due to lack of proper web regulations. Therefore a fire dragon called social media is on the run causing conflagration to minds in its path. A serious downside of social media; which is a double edged sword. If we wait for governments to impose regulations to contain this it may be too late. It is time for a wake up call for individual responsibility which in turn can amalgamate into a collectively responsible society. Let us not allow nature to get into the third stage of relationship with us, come nurture children with right value system instilled in them for a better tomorrow. Groom them as responsible global citizens; guide them in Project Destination-Heaven. As always with any technological advancement; Social media is not all bad, provided used wisely.
