Why does religion so often lead to hatred and division?

It is not religion at its source but its later distortion that leads to hatred. In the early days believers were persecuted, not persecutors; hatred arises when a teaching decays and power over people is claimed in God’s name.

The question is fair, and critics of religion often raise it: wherever there is religion, they say, there is hatred and bloodshed. To judge fairly, we should look at every religion in two phases. First, close to its source, while its prophet was alive. And second, later on, when it has travelled far from that source.

Close to the source we find a remarkably similar picture, with Moses (as), with Jesus (as) and with the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw). Blood was shed then too, but it was the blood of the believers. They were mocked, driven out and killed because they believed in God. They were the victims, not the aggressors.

Over time a teaching decays. People mix in their own ideas, and leaders use faith for politics and power. A distorted religion cannot stand the test of reason, which is why its spokesmen often reject reason. In God’s name they claim power over others, although God does not stand behind their ideas.

The Holy Qur’an sets clear limits. There is no compulsion in religion. Fighting is allowed only in defence against persecution, and the verse above expressly gives as its purpose that cloisters, churches, synagogues and mosques remain protected. Anyone who attacks the houses of worship of others in the name of Islam acts against this teaching.

So hatred and division are no proof against God. They show how far people have moved away from the original message. The way out is a return to the pure source.