A Private Affair of an Individuals Conscience - Essay Example

The New Testament differs for all three religions. The Bible is an amalgamation of both the Old and the New Testament. Islam and Jews refuse to acknowledge the existence of the New Testament. In 2002, Priscilla Warner embarked on a task that forced her to explore, analyze, challenge, and defend her faith and religion. The outcome of that provocative journey is "The Faith Club" (Simon & Schuster), a memoir co-written by Ms. Warner, a Reform Jew; Ranya Idliby, a Muslim of Palestinian descent; and Suzanne Oliver, a Christian who grew up Catholic and converted to Episcopalian.

The book is written in the form of journal entries and dialogue from three years of documented conversations in which the women confront their feelings on an array of issues - from religious stereotypes and social injustice to the crucifixion and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict (KIRKUS Reviews)The authors wrestle with the issues of anti-Semitism, prejudice against Muslims, and preconceptions of Christians at a time when fundamentalists dominate the public face of Christianity. It wasn't easy for Suzanne to admit she didn't want to be mistaken for a Jew; for Priscilla to acknowledge that she stereotyped Jesus; and for Ranya to recognize that even she held stereotypes of her own religion.

Stereotypes lead directly to prejudice. And, like freedom, the rejection of prejudice demands constant vigilance. Therefore, so does the rejection of stereotypes. To stereotype is to deny another's humanity and individuality There is the stereotype that Jews are controlling the world, that they believe that they are the chosen people, that they all own their own businesses and all the other things Muslims and Christians have branded them with. It is hard to remember that not all Christians want to convert Jews.

It's hard to remember that not all Arabs are Muslims, and not all Muslims are Arabs. It must be hard for Muslims to remember that not all Jews are ZionistsPolitics play the most significant role in building these stereotypes. Religion and Politics have been inseparable since the beginning of Time. Politics has used religion and religious stereotypes to help in its governance. Religious stereotypes have been fanned by politics in general for the benefit of a few. Religion plays a very important part of each human being's life even for atheists.

Whether it is a personal nonritualistic faith or a much-publicized practice, Religion is an integral part of the personality of each and every human being.