THE ILLUSION OF A GLORIOUS PAST: DEHUMANISING RELIGION

In today's political discourse, it's common to hear calls for a return to a "glorious past"—a time when a particular civilization was seen as perfect in every way.

- ATIR KHAN

Proponents of these ideas argue that if we could somehow recreate this idealized past, it would solve the complex problems we face today. But the question remains: Which civilization truly had a perfect past?

For those who grew up in the 1960s through the 1990s, the concept of a “glorious past” was also prevalent. Life seemed to be improving, and the world was rapidly opening up.

In contrast to the eras of anarchism, authoritarianism, fascism, and imperialism, it seemed like history was moving towards a brighter, more peaceful future. Then came the “Santa Claus” of globalization, a wave of hope and goodwill that brought significant changes to economies and lifestyles.

With the world “opening up” after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the MTV generation eagerly embraced the cultural and economic influence of the Western world.

The availability of top global brands and the transformation they brought to people’s lifestyles felt like a dream come true.

The global job market was booming, economies were soaring, and Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) and multinational corporations poured capital into developing markets.

This era was, in many ways, a fairytale—at least for those who measured success primarily by financial gain.

Amid this economic euphoria, the rich cultural and historical diversity of world civilizations seemed to fade into the background, relegated to private affairs that were confined to the domains of individual religions and cultures.