The concept of religion, in whatever forms it may be, was in existence since the beginning of human consciousness. Probably, it originated as a sort of survival mechanism. When faced with natural fury, rain, storm and floods the man got frightened and imagined the existence of some higher power behind all this phenomena impacting on his life. And, inwardly felt the necessity for propitiating that power -- no matter different people around the world call this power by different names. This happened with all tribes of the world. Many tribes not influenced by civilized people still retain their original beliefs.   The primitive religions and mythologies bear ample proof of it. It varied from land to land and culture to culture across entire world through the continuity of time. It still goes on reforming and refining through stages of evolution, without altering core content. In the process the so-called true, better and organized ones devoured the weaker and less developed types – following natural laws of selection. Of course, some were compelled to follow the route of conversion by force, some through evangelical missions.    In many cases, the vestiges of their original faith got assimilated, in a subtler way, with the stronger ones without giving rise to any conflict. Gradually, the major organized religions became more consolidated and competitive.

 The great zeal for the propagation of one’s own brand of religion since the inception of the new ones continued unabated. Sometimes, it assumed the form of force to convert others -- in a bid to lead them from darkness to the path of light. The human history is replete with such stories. It cannot be said that there was no fanaticism at any point of time, but it didn’t come to such a pass as to label it as ‘clash of civilizations’. Is it not a byproduct of globalization? Many got concerned and thought to find a way out. The call for moderation and tolerance rose. The issue of religion is such that everyone thinks that his is the right one, so they try to prevail upon others. And the practice continues.

Karl Marx termed religion as the opium of the people. Many consider it worse than that: no opium addict became as mad as to kill innocent peoples. The fanatics, today, can do anything in the presumed interest of greater gain for their group. Every human being is unique. The individual uniqueness gets blurred in the group. The group as a unit gives birth to a distinctive identity. And there are groups within groups. So, there will be multiplicity of belief systems, with its attendant sporadic conflicts. It cannot be predicted that the rationalist will win or the other. Permanent resolution of conflict will remain ever unattainable. Mosaic of faiths will be the general norm. However, faith in the higher power – for a majority -- is likely to remain intact, as it was thousands of years ago.

 August 29, 2007