Both Unites and Divides

Religion is the way in which we interpret and give meaning to the experiences and events of life. It is the interpretive perspective which helps us understand seemingly random occurrences. Accordingly, all people have some religious perspective whether they acknowledge it or not.

Those who share in a particular religious perspective experience a certain unity while those who have a different perspective can feel divided. 

The experience of religious division is not necessarily a bad thing unless it involves the forced imposition of one perspective on another. For that reason, one of our most basic human rights is freedom of religious expression which is a self-evident truth. Interreligious violence is always a rejection of this basic human right. 

Even those who do not share a similar religious perspective can be united in their efforts to promote the common good, alleviate suffering, and defend human dignity. Such cooperation always unites us.