One of the things that the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has made clear is that religious bigotry or communalism is the stupidest thing in the world. Thinking that one's religion is superior and looking down on other religions, or believing that one's perception of God and how to reach him is more valid than other perceptions and ways of worship, has to be the most misguided way to live life. For, the coronavirus doesn't spare any religious community. We are all equally vulnerable to the disease irrespective of whether we worship in a temple, mosque, church or synagogue. Moreover, the Hindu priest is as vulnerable as the Christian father who is as vulnerable as the Muslim maulavi. The virus has shown that our religious differences are meaningless, and practising one particular religion does not in any way grant us any special immunity.
No religion is superior or inferior. They are all practised by us flesh and blood humans. And we the human family of this planet earth are vulnerable to the coronavirus. Therefore, having blind religious faith or harbouring notions of religious superiority is downright dumb. The truth is, we have forgotten what religion really is. Religion does not grant us any special protection. It only teaches us how to live life with all its challenges, difficulties and joys. And since different religions arose in different parts and times of the world, they are explained in different ways, languages and styles.
But essentially all religions say the same thing -- don't harm others, do good and accept joys and sorrows with equanimity as life is unpredictable. No religion, in its original, true form, tells us to demean or berate other religions and their followers. It is we the followers who have distorted religion and imputed political motives to it. But faced with the coronavirus pandemic, notions of relative religious superiority stand thoroughly exposed. Again, religion is just a manual for life. It is a tool to help navigate life. But it is not life itself.
Therefore, let us go back to the original purpose of religion and faith, and recognise that these are just guides for us to deal with life and connect with the cosmic divine. No religion is superior or inferior to any other religion. Those who make us believe so are doing it for their own selfish profit. The coronavirus pandemic has shown how foolish religious bigotry is. Communal forces must not be allowed to regain their foothold after the pandemic.
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