Why Do Religions Teach Love and Yet Cause So Much War?
Context: In my previous column I didn't spell out, or really indicate what an "integral approach" to spirituality would include. Many readers naturally assumed that this was simply another version of "universalism" — the belief that there are certain truths contained in all the world's religions. But the integral approach emphatically does not make that suggestion. Other readers maintained that I was offering a version of the "perennial philosophy" espoused by Aldous Huxley or Huston Smith. Does the integral approach believe that all religions are saying essentially the same thing from a different perspective? No, almost the opposite.
Yet the integral approach does claim to be able to "unite," in some sense, the world's great spiritual traditions, which is what has caused much of the interest in this approach. If humanity is ever to cease its swarming hostilities and be united in one family, without squashing the significant and important differences among us, then something like an integral approach seems the only way. Until that time, religions will continue to brutally divide humanity, as they have throughout history, and not unite, as they must if they are to be a help, not a hindrance, to tomorrow's existence.
Why Do Religions Teach Love and Yet Cause So Much War?
Truman Library address (2006)
Context: Both security and development ultimately depend on respect for human rights and the rule of law.
— Although increasingly interdependent, our world continues to be divided — not only by economic differences, but also by religion and culture. That is not in itself a problem. Throughout history, human life has been enriched by diversity, and different communities have learnt from each other. But, if our different communities are to live together in peace we must stress also what unites us: our common humanity, and our shared belief that human dignity and rights should be protected by law.
"Clapton: The Autobiography"
Source: Which Level of God Do You Believe In? (2004)
Foreign Affairs http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20000101faessay5-p20/condoleezza-rice/campaign-2000-promoting-the-national-interest.html, January/February 2000.
Source: The Myth of Sisyphus (1942), Absurd Creation, p. 18
Remark to an American visitor shortly after Powell's return to London from his first visit to the United States in October 1967, as quoted in Andrew Roth, Enoch Powell: Tory Tribune (1970), p. 341
1960s
Sep. 11 Memorial service speech, Boston (September 11, 2007) http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/09/13/patrick_defends_sept_11_speech/
“The Family”, Pine Tree Press (Nov. 1963) p. 16.
