God, Humanity, and Religious Tolerance

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God, Humanity, and Religious Tolerance: A Philosophical and Theological Reflection on Extremism

Introduction

Religion, as an essential part of human civilization, has long served not only as an explanation of the origins of the universe and life but also as a foundation for morality and social order. Yet, throughout history, religion has also been a source of conflict and violence. From the Crusades to the religious wars in the Middle East, from sectarian tensions in India to ethnic-religious conflicts in Myanmar, one can observe how extreme beliefs often lead to exclusion and bloodshed. This raises a fundamental paradox: if the world is truly created by God, then all human beings, regardless of their faith or ethnicity, must be His children. Does persecuting “the other” not constitute an offense against God’s will? This paper explores the tension between religious extremism and tolerance from philosophical, theological, and historical perspectives.

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