A reflection for Holy Week

Amidst all the global crises on energy shortages and wars, we should take some time out to reflect on religion this coming Holy Week.

- ELFREN S. CRUZ

This is a reminder that in this world of globalization, artificial intelligence and wars in different parts of the world, the perfect statement of the ideal human life can only be seen in the life and words of a man who lived more than 2,000 years ago, long before the invention of the airplane, the atomic bomb, the computer and the internet.This is a period which should also serve as a reminder that by His sacrifice, Jesus Christ empowered His followers to live this ideal life.

During, most of the past hundred years or so, there were many predictions that advances in scientific discoveries, the rise of consumer culture and other secular forces such as populism and authoritarianism would result in the marginalization or even the demise of religion.

However, since the 1970s, the world has seen the massive upsurge of religion and the rise of different forms of religious belief such as charismatic Christianity and Islamic fundamentalism.

The rise in Islamic fundamentalism has witnessed parallel growth in Christian and Hindu fundamentalism. In Europe, church attendance is supposed to be at an all-time low. But Europe now is the scene of violent religious incidents by Islamic fundamentalists, anti-Jewish sentiments and even conflicts between different forms of Christian beliefs.