Wounded Within: When Religious People Fight

When religious leaders fight over doctrine, beliefs, and interpretations, it can devastate followers. Recently, one of the most influential religious figures of our time transitioned. Even while dying, the religious world continued to flag him as a heretic and one who had lost his way. Followers don’t fight the same way leaders do. Followers can be even more destructive when led by unhinged, mean-spirited leaders.

When we disagree about text interpretations, which cause us to become enemies of love, you can be sure you’ve lost your way. Arguing over doctrine and interpretation is like arguing over my right to self-autonomy. No one should control your vantage points because they aren’t privy to the workings of your heart.

Religious people have no problem killing their own so they can be right. Being right is not about exposing someone because they disagree with your theology or doctrine. But even worse, to continue beating a person down even while they are dying, you have to have a cold, evil heart.

When religious people fight, it’s not just a battle of words or ideologies; it’s a war that wounds the soul. It’s a war that leaves scars on the hearts of those caught in the crossfire. It’s a war that breeds hatred, intolerance, and division. It’s a war that contradicts the very essence of what religion is supposed to be about – love, peace, and unity.

When religious leaders engage in such battles, they not only harm their followers but also tarnish the image of religion itself. They turn religion into a weapon of mass destruction rather than a tool for peace and harmony. They use religion to assert dominance rather than a path to spiritual enlightenment.

When religious people fight, they forget the fundamental teachings of their faith. They forget that religion is about understanding, not imposing, about accepting, not rejecting, about loving, not hating. They forget that religion is about bringing people together, not tearing them apart.

When religious people fight, they lose sight of the bigger picture. They become so engrossed in their beliefs and interpretations that they fail to see the damage they are causing. They fail to see the pain they are inflicting on others. They fail to see the division they are creating within their community.

When religious people fight, they are not just wounding others. They are also wounding themselves. They are damaging their spiritual growth. They are hindering their journey towards enlightenment. They are betraying their faith.

When religious people fight, they are not serving God; they are serving their ego. They are not promoting love; they are promoting hate. They are not spreading peace; they are spreading chaos.

When religious people fight, it’s a clear sign that they have lost their way. It’s a clear sign that they have strayed from righteousness. It’s a clear sign that they have forgotten the true essence of their faith.

When religious people fight, it’s a wake-up call for all of us. It’s a call to introspect, to question, to challenge. It’s a call to stand against hatred, intolerance, and division. It’s a call to promote love, peace, and unity. It’s a call to remember the true essence of religion.