Extremist Religious Groups and Societies Reaction

Religion: people’s beliefs and opinions concerning the existence, nature, and worship of a deity or deities, and divine involvement in the universe and human life; as stated by the esteemed Encarta encyclopedia. Stated in an individual’s context, we have no right to blame a whole religious group on one simple act such as that of September 11. Simply because they stated that it was in the name of Islam, does not represent that the woman and children at home willed thousands of innocent lives to be lost. Although many people believe that religious discrimination has seceded, in reality it is still very alive and thriving.

The only reason for such racial inequities is because of the small extremist religious groups which try to prove points using violence. In 1985, a Sikh man hijacked and killed various people on an aircraft, and claimed it was in the name of Sikhs. This does not mean that I asked him to perform such an outrageous act; it was his lack of simple judgment that led to such aberrant behavior. Although Sikhs are known for their warrior-like nature, chosen as bodyguards for most of Indian party leaders including Indhira Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, such an act is simple treachery. Not only to the people, who would have to face an eternal struggle, but also the religion. Why do such minute acts play such profound roles in the future of an entire religion group? In addition to this, September 11, made the Sikh people even more “unpopular.” Because people saw Muslims wearing turbans on the “telly,” any man wearing a turban is considered a terrorist and condescended upon. A recent trip to the US, has given me perspective on this reality. Upon arrival and departure, airport staff performed extra arduous checks on my family while passing through immigration. In actuality, since ignorance blocks the truth, various religions are still considered inferior and such ideas will persist until there is no more faith, or no more God.