Kalam’s quote is a reminder that religion is a powerful force that can be used for good or for evil. It is up to us to decide how we use it.
The late APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India, was a man of great wisdom and insight. One of his most famous quotes is, “For great men, religion is a way of making friends, small people make religion a fighting tool”. His quote speaks to the idea that religion can be a unifying force or a divisive one, depending on how it is approached.
At its core, religion is meant to bring people together and provide a framework for living a meaningful and purposeful life. It can offer a sense of community, belonging, and shared values. However, when religion is used as a tool for conflict and division, it can have the opposite effect, creating animosity and deepening divides between groups of people.
The quote by Kalam suggests that great men, those who are wise and compassionate, see religion as a means of building bridges between people of different backgrounds and beliefs. They use religion to connect with others, to find common ground, and to create a sense of unity and understanding.
On the other hand, small people, those who are narrow-minded and lacking in empathy, use religion as a weapon to attack those who are different from themselves. They see their own beliefs as superior and seek to impose them on others, rather than seeking to understand and respect the beliefs of others.
This quote is particularly relevant in today’s world, where religious tensions and conflicts are all too common. It reminds us that religion can be a force for good or for ill, depending on how it is approached. If we want to build a more harmonious and peaceful world, we must all strive to be “great men” and women, using religion as a way of making friends rather than a fighting tool. We must seek to understand and respect the beliefs of others, rather than simply imposing our own views on them.
Kalam’s quote is a reminder that religion is a powerful force that can be used for good or for evil. It is up to us to decide how we use it. If we use it for good, we can make the world a better place. If we use it for evil, we can destroy the world.
It is important to remember that religion is not just about beliefs. It is also about actions. If we want to make the world a better place, we need to use our religion to inspire us to do good deeds. We need to use it to help others, to make peace, and to build a better future for all.
