Rethinking on religion is needed to addresses issues of inhuman treatment of religious minorities, the poor and other vulnerable sections of the society, according to Bishop of Mangalore Diocese Aloysius Paul D’Souza.

Inaugurating the four-day international conference on rethinking religion in India at SDM Law College here on Saturday, Mr. D’Souza said different religions viewed god differently and the differences had led to wars and massacres in the past, though all religions were the result of the man’s quest for understanding the riddles of life.

On the other hand economic boom had led to unprecedented gap between the rich and poor with the bulging middle class. The country was in moral, social and political crisis and time had come to rethink on religion. This was particularly important for India, as its people were deeply religious.

‘Dialogue needed’

He said mutual and inter-religious dialogues, as suggested by the Catholic Church after deep rethinking in 1960s, was the way forward.

However rethinking was not easy but sought to emphasise that the globally accepted tenets such as the right to profess and practice one’s religion should not be lost sight of. He also added that globalised world should lead to one human community and ‘common source.’ He added what he meant by ‘source’ was god.

A book “Reconceptualising India Studies,’ written by S.N. Balagangadhara, Director, India Platform, Ghent University, Belgium, was released. Charly Poppe, First Secretary Embassy of Belgium, Principal of SDM Law College, B.K. Ravindra, and Member of Bar Council of India S.L. Bhojegowda were present.