Religious Intolerance: A Threat to World Peace

Abstract

Religious intolerance has become a significant barrier to global peace and stability, fostering extremism, violence, and conflicts worldwide. This issue involves justifying violence, demonizing others, and rejecting diversity in the name of faith. While religion could ideally serve as a source of moral guidance, compassion, and unity, it is often misused to justify hatred, division, and violence. A clear example of this is the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, as well as the previous conflict between Israel and Palestine, which continues to threaten and destabilize global peace. These conflicts demonstrate how religious intolerance, when exploited by political interests, can escalate into threats to regional and international stability. When national policies are guided by religious dogma instead of pragmatic diplomacy, opportunities for negotiation and mutual respect diminish. In the modern era, religious intolerance is considered one of the gravest threats to world peace. This paper examines current trends, causes, and consequences of religious intolerance concerning peaceful coexistence and global harmony. It will also explore how religious differences intensify tensions between Israel and Iran, as well as between Israel and Palestine. The research aims to deepen understanding of this ongoing challenge and propose strategies for building a more inclusive and peaceful world. Furthermore, it highlights that the hatred and fear associated with Islam and the persecution of Muslims stem from religious intolerance.