THREATS TO RELIGION

THREATS TO RELIGION

While religions can become

perpetrators of
discrimination, intolerance,
and violent acts, there are
some religions that have
become victims of
discrimination and violence.
A 2015 report of the Pew
Research Study has seen a
slight decline in hostile acts
directed against religion
worldwide.
THREATS TO
RELIGION

 A 2014 study by the Federal

Bureau of Investigation on hate
crimes committed in the United
States reveals that Jews remain
the biggest targets of such
crimes, with Muslims and
Catholics coming in at second
and third on the list.
TOLERANCE,
UNDERSTANDING
AND RESPECT, AND
THE IMPORTANCE OF
PEACE INITIATIVES
TOLERANCE, UNDERSTANDING
AND RESPECT, AND THE
IMPORTANCE OF PEACE
INITIATIVES

 Societies have embarked on

various ways to address the
negative effects of religion.
 One such means is religious
tolerance, which is the recognition
that religions can coexist without
one asserting primacy over others.
TOLERANCE, UNDERSTANDING AND RESPECT,
AND THE IMPORTANCE OF PEACE INITIATIVES

 Therefore, some have proposed policies and

activities that foster understanding and
respect of diverse religious beliefs.
TOLERANCE, UNDERSTANDING AND RESPECT, AND THE
IMPORTANCE OF PEACE INITIATIVES

Understanding and respect of religions require individuals to study,

observe, and appreciate the faiths of other members of their society.

One means by which countries implement this is through the recognition

of religious festivals where citizens are encouraged to participate.
TOLERANCE,
UNDERSTANDIN  Another significant way by which understanding
G AND RESPECT, and respect among religions can be encouraged
is through interreligious dialogue.
AND THE  One such initiative in the Philippines is the
IMPORTANCE OF Silsilah Dialogue Movement (SDM), a
movement for dialogue and peace in Mindanao.
PEACE
INITIATIVES
TOLERANCE, UNDERSTANDING AND RESPECT,
AND THE IMPORTANCE OF PEACE INITIATIVES

 It was founded in 1984 in Zamboanga City by

Italian missionary Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra,
PIME.
 Silsilah is an Arabic word meaning “chain” or”
link”.
  SDM seeks to foster a continual
TOLERANCE, dialogue among people of all faiths
UNDERSTANDING which will result in “respect, trust and
love for one another and moving
AND RESPECT, AND together towards a common
experience of harmony, solidarity,
THE IMPORTANCE dialogue and peace.”
OF PEACE
INITIATIVES
TOLERANCE,
UNDERSTANDIN  It encourages all people to undergo a process of
G AND RESPECT, personal transformation that leads to social
transformation. Since 1984, SDM has
AND THE challenged many to live and promote the Culture
IMPORTANCE OF of Dialogue sustained by the spirituality of life-
in-dialogue.
PEACE
INITIATIVES
TOLERANCE, UNDERSTANDING AND RESPECT, AND THE
IMPORTANCE OF PEACE INITIATIVES

In 2013, SDM was awarded the Goi Peace Award by the Goi Peace Foundation in
Japan in recognition of its efforts to promote dialogue for peace and solidarity
among Muslims and Christians in the Philippines.

The dedicated efforts of the members of the movement have greatly contributed to
the peace process and inspired many people around the world to engage in spiritual
dialogue as well.
  Positive and Negative Effect of Religion (Critical Analysis):
Select one historical event from the list below and research on
how religion influenced this event. Trace the emergence of
your selected event or conflict and describe how religion
defined and influenced it.

1. EDSA People Power Revolution

PETA #2
2. Civil Rights Movement in the United States during the
1960s
3. The conflict between Indian Hindus and Pakistani Muslims
4. The conflict between Jews and Muslims in Middle East
5. The conflict between Protestants and Catholic militants in
Northern Ireland.