Dr. Darshan R.’s Post

In my most recent blog post for LSE Faith Centre and Religion & Global Society Research Unit, I argue that sustainable peace in the Holy Land requires a consideration of religious imaginations already present in dominant discourses. Check it out at the below link.

Christianity and Coexist - In a world that celebrates diversity and religious pluralism, it's essential for Christians to understand the distinctions between their faith and the popular “Coexist” movement. While both promote tolerance and harmony, the foundations and beliefs driving each are fundamentally different. https://lnkd.in/giHMdm-T

#israeel #USA #Jews #Christians #Arabs #peace #Islamispeace Jews Fought Christians History Overview with Global Perspective: Throughout history, conflicts between Christians and Jews have been both localized and global, reflecting a complex interplay of religious, political, and cultural factors. One of the most notable instances was the Spanish Inquisition in the late 15th century, where tensions between Catholics and Jews escalated, leading to forced conversions, expulsions, and violence. In the context of the United States, while the nation was founded on principles of religious freedom, there have been sporadic instances of anti-Semitism. However, it's essential to note that the U.S. has generally been a haven for religious diversity, and incidents of religious conflict have been comparatively rare. Globally, the Middle East has been a focal point for Christian-Jewish tensions, particularly in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The region has witnessed a complex web of historical grievances, territorial disputes, and religious differences, contributing to ongoing tensions. Despite historical conflicts, it's crucial to recognize the efforts towards interfaith dialogue and cooperation. Many individuals and organizations work tirelessly to bridge gaps and foster understanding between Christians and Jews on both local and global scales. In the contemporary era, promoting religious tolerance and understanding is increasingly recognized as vital for global peace. Initiatives that encourage dialogue, education, and cooperation aim to break down historical prejudices and build a more harmonious coexistence between different religious communities. While challenges persist, there is a growing awareness of the importance of fostering unity and respect among diverse faiths in the pursuit of a more peaceful world. #ReligiousHarmony #GlobalPeace

Patriarch Kirill is one of the most obnoxious and hypocritical religious figures of contemporary history. While blessing the russian invasion of Ukraine, that has killed thousands of innocent souls, as a holy war against Anti-Christ, he has a taste for luxury and is a longtime proven KGB agent. A closer look at the Ten Commandments gives at hand that this war is breaking most of the fundamental Christian values, and as this enlightening piece by Center for European Policy Analysis argues, the liberal West should start using the power of religion to democratic ends. #StandWithUkraine #UkraineWillPrevail

The Pope stressed the importance of respecting diversity in religion, ethnicity and culture and how it plays a role in politics and everyday life. POPE FRANCIS Regarding respect for diversity, [it is] an indispensable element of democracy, which must be constantly promoted. The fact that the state is “secular” contributes greatly to harmony. May your meeting with respect for diversity and with the intention of enriching each other be an example not to see in the other a threat, but a gift and a valuable interlocutor for mutual growth. https://lnkd.in/deRTSMFF

Christianity and Coexist - In a world that celebrates diversity and religious pluralism, it's essential for Christians to understand the distinctions between their faith and the popular “Coexist” movement. While both promote tolerance and harmony, the foundations and beliefs driving each are fundamentally different. https://lnkd.in/gv9pnDy4

Can we talk about religious extremism? *Yikes! Not very work appropriate is it!? ...but, Senator Chuck Fleischmann chose to say this while at work, and what he and his colleagues do at work affect our work, so we need to discuss. Many of you have seen this video where Congressman Fleischmann of Tennessee repeats he will always support Israel, even going as far as saying "goodbye Palestine" and telling a Palestinian to his face "I will NEVER support you". Ordinarily that would be bad enough on its own, but Chuck takes it to another level when he says: "That is for God to do and decide. I will always support Israel" "That's for God to do and decide" ... This is the part of this whole equation people are afraid to talk about. We'll talk geo-politics, history, racism, militarism, and economics. We'll call out bad policies, apartheid, even genocide, but we are afraid to step into the religious talk, except of course, unless we are talking about Islamic extremism. That's always ok. When it comes to Islamic extremism that's fair game. ...but, what about the rest? When "conservative" Christians say they will "always support Israel" - no matter what, and invoke the name of God as all the reasoning they need, what is that? Until we are honest and willing to see and talk about this equally, we will never make any progress. *if you choose to comment, do so with respect for integrity and humanity, if nothing else. Just because it's a sensitive subject doesn't mean we shouldn't talk about it. The Palestine/Israel issue, is a political AND religious issue. The Western vs Middle East, Islam vs Christianity are political AND religious issues. Until we are willing to admit that AND talk openly and respectfully, we'll never get anywhere. And politics and religion are big business and shape everything we do, so perfectly appropriate for this platform. #humanity #challengethestatusquo #ethicalleadership #globalaffairs #religion #Gaza #ceasefire

Controversial Explanation for How Racism Was Invented. Racism Originated to Justify Enslavement of Africans.... Just as the slaveholders of ancient Greece and Rome created an ideology that their barbaric slave system was “natural,” so did the European and Arab enslavers of the Trans-Atlantic and Trans-Saharan "slave" trades. There was one important difference. According to them, slavery was “natural” because of race. Africans were not human beings, and, therefore, they were born to be enslaved. Historian Eric Williams writes in his book Capitalism and Slavery, “Slavery was not born of racism; rather, racism was the consequence of slavery.” Marxist writer CLR James wrote, “The conception of dividing people by race begins with the slave trade. This thing was so shocking, so opposed to all the conceptions of society which religion and philosophers had … that the only justification by which humanity could face it was to divide people into races and decide that the Africans were an inferior race.” #racism #slavery

"Israel Folau’s unwavering commitment to his faith and his courage in sharing his beliefs are commendable. His dedication to defending his religious convictions is a testament to his character. By expressing his views, he has sparked important conversations about faith, values, and personal beliefs. It is important to remember that people have diverse perspectives on religion and spirituality. While some may share Israel Folau’s beliefs, others may hold different views or not follow any particular faith. Respecting these differences fosters understanding and promotes a more inclusive society. As we navigate the complexities of our world, let us strive for empathy, compassion, and open-mindedness. By embracing diversity and engaging in respectful dialogue, we can build bridges of understanding and create a more harmonious coexistence. Let us celebrate the power of sports to bring people together, regardless of their backgrounds or beliefs. Together, we can foster an environment that encourages unity, respect, and mutual support." #IsraelFolau #FaithInSports #ReligiousConvictions #DiversityAndInclusion #RespectForAll #InclusiveSociety #UnityInSports

Religious Sanction The Catholic Church provided theological justifications for French colonial conquest and conversion, from the Doctrine of Discovery to the missionary zeal of figures like Charles de Foucauld in Algeria. The Church of England and Protestant missionaries played a key role in sanctifying British colonial rule and the "civilizing mission" in Africa and Asia. Figures like David Livingstone combined Christianity and colonialism. American Protestant missionaries were at the forefront of the colonial project in the Philippines, Hawaii, and elsewhere, combining religious conversion with cultural imperialism. So while there were certainly differences in how these ideologies were articulated and implemented, cultural chauvinism, civilizing mission, paternalism, and religious sanction were common threads that ran through the colonial projects of France, Britain, the United States, and other European powers. These elements provided the ideological justification for colonial conquest, domination, and exploitation.