Religion is no longer the ruling factor in human affairs as it once was. Nevertheless, as a motive force of thought and action, it is second to none even in the West, while in the East its predominance is maintained to this day. To us Hindus, for example, Religion is still all in all. There is hardly any fear now of nations flying at each other's throats for the sake of Religion. Yet it cannot be denied that sectarian bigotry and religious fanaticism are still things to be reckoned with, not only in the case of Orientals but also of Occidentals. It is significant given our context that the cleavage regarding Home Rule in Ireland has followed the line of division in the population according to religious persuasion. Broadly speaking. the difference in the salient national characteristics of Prussia and Austria, the inhabitants of both countries being mainly of the same ethnic stock, is due chiefly to religious causes. One still hears of Jew-baiting here and there in Europe. In our own country, despite the ingrained spirit of tolerance of Hindus and Mussalmans alike and the unifying effect of British Rule, painful instances of sectarian bickerings now and again are not wanting. In short, it is sure everyone will admit that though Religion has ceased to be the principal cause of conflict in the world, it is one of the potent sources of ill feeling affecting vast populations of almost every grade of intellect.
The primary purpose of religion, however, is (to repeat a mere truism) to promote the spirit of harmony and brotherliness in mankind by making all races and classes of men realize that they are the children of the Almighty God, Who is the Father of all. It is simply ignorance of the basic tenets and creeds of each other's faith (which are common to all Religions and schools of Theology) that is responsible for keeping alive the smoldering fire of religious animosity that had raged so fiercely everywhere in pre-modern times.
It is obvious, therefore, that we should seek some means of gradually eradicating the root cause of surviving religious differences as one of the most effective ways of discharging the duty that lies on every one of us helping to ensure the establishment of the uninterrupted reign of peace and good-will henceforth on earth. In thinking of measures for making War impossible, we must consider all important causes of discord. We cannot therefore leave out of count the influence of Religion, it being at all events second to none in importance.
The Great War, which has brought untold miseries to Europe and has made the whole world shudder in pain and fear, was the inevitable result of the ascendancy of Materialism. Materialism, looking as it does, only to worldly power and gain, gives free play to the brute in man and develops his original savage and lawless propensities. This Materialistic tendency towards the callous disregard of all spiritual and moral laws for the sake of self-gratification and self-aggrandizement can be checked and corrected only by Dharmik principles and spirituality. In a Society, as in a government, the working of Materialism drags humanity downwards leading to the chaos of barbarism, and the ultimate extinction of the whole civilized race. Dharma, faith in God and the Daiva Jagat (Occult world) and spirituality in general, serve as a balancing force which prevents such downfall. To make the civilised race lasting on the earth, therefore, the effective means should be to promote the culture of the above Dharma, etc., in perfect harmony with all the faiths of the world. It is Sanatan Dharma of the Hindus that can inculcate such teachings and preserve the harmony of all faiths, It is the religion of all religions, a philosophical truth, a spiritual science and a fundamental law of nature. It is the only religion in the world which can aspire to inculcate the principles of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man. It can therefore claim the right of being called the father of all religions.
It is with a view to present to the civilised world the above Catholic Spirit of Sanatan Dharma and embrace within its parental fold the sundry sects and crouds providing spiritual food to all as adapted to their respective stages of evolution and striking the tune of harmony that the scheme for the Hall of All-Religions as the worthy peace memorial has been launched in right earnest. We have dwelt at some length on this scheme and its universal spirit of harmony in the last chapter.
This important treatise forms a spiritual contribution to the Hall of All-Religions and invites further contribution of this nature from the wide civilised world. We shall deem our labour amply rewarded should this book be able to contribute, however meagrely it may be, towards the advance of the true spirit of religion and the harmonious spirit of Sanatan Dharma among the seekers of truth in the world.
