Question to Radhanath Swami: Religion has the power to divide. The riots in Mumbai, Gujarat and Ayodhya are created by religion. Do you see a divide?
Radhanath Swami Answers: You have to educate people about religion. Religion is about love and compassion and seeing all as one. The Bible says understanding the letter of the laws of religion is less important than understanding the spirit. The Gita says the person who is enlightened sees every living being with equal vision—black or white, male or female, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh or Jew, East or West, rich or poor, a dog, a cat or a cow. These are all external things.
The atma is in everyone. When you pick the hot coals of revenge and hatred, you will get burned too. Booker T Washington was an emancipated slave. He said
“I will allow no man to degrade my soul by causing me to hate them.”
The Lord is in everyone. The spiritual spark is within everyone. Fighting and hating is contrary to the religion we follow.
