For the New Year 2013, religious harmony is a worthy, attainable, and necessary goal for humanity. The lack of this harmony is the cause of present spiritual and moral degeneration. In the past priests generally held a very high position. They still do even though they are increasingly challenged, and losing their ground fast. Gradually with new discoveries and systematic progress in the field of medicine, physicians (doctors) began to acquire prominence and status. With the abundance of conflicts and litigations, truth together with values such as honesty, fairness, and keeping one's word and promises receded into the background. As people honoring their given word declined, integrity and trust suffered. Betrayal of trust is not uncommon. As everything has to be proved in the court, the whole world became a pathetic playing field for unscrupulous lawyers. Currently lawyers, from whose rank come judges and most politicians in the world, became the power-brokers of humanity. A world where lawyers dominate, truth and values - the bedrock of spirituality - become casualties. Peaceful, satisfactory, and inexpensive settling of disputes through humane mediation has become less. One human behaves toward another like a wolf preys on another wolf as the ancient saying homo homini lupus goes. Selfishness becomes a breeding ground for a culture of scepticism and paranoia. In spite of all these odds, I dare say that the 21st century has the great potential to be a century of spirituality and mysticism. It is not so much the asceticism of the past that is required, but conscious self-control that comes from internal locus of control of a truly free person, and a studied ability to say "no" to affluence, abundance, and unlimited opportunities, once a person's needs and some wants are reasonably satisfied. Persons are soon going to be weary of unprincipled material progress at the expense of spiritual growth and ecological balance.

             Religions that are supposed to connect humans to a higher, supernatural being, whom we call God, by promoting spiritual and moral values and wholesome living, began to decline primarily through vicious and murderous fights among themselves. A few representatives of religions have not stood the test of times. Many members of religions formed and molded in the less enlightened past got disillusioned as they were not prepared to face the rigorous challenges of unstructured modern living ridden with anxiety and insecurity. Religions and their representatives engaged in behaviors that are contra-indicative of spirituality. No religion can keep its moral and spiritual high ground without credible practice of what it preaches. With the decline of moral, ethical, and spiritual values, ordinary humans began to lose confidence in the future of humanity. They were in reality infantilized by religions. They got distracted from spiritual pursuits, and started looking for models elsewhere. They currently get some temporary thrills and excitements from film stars and sports personalities, beauty queens, and scandalous display of wealth by the rich who are the modern royalty. The dictator of one country (Gabon), for instance, possesses about one fourth of that country's wealth. What does this say about humanity? The models of ordinary persons have become those who can wield power and control, and manipulate and use humans for their own pleasure. They get easily titillated by scantily clad models, mostly females, being unaware they have in nature or in their fertile fantasies what they are eagerly looking for. More and more weird and expensive dresses are developed to satiate spurious and unhealthy interests. How else one can explain the production and use of a brassiere studded with precious stones that costs about 12 million dollars (about 66 crores of rupees) in a world of poverty and want? How can any woman be comfortable in that kind of a bra? Why would a woman want to expose herself in a bra to begin with? Is our sexuality about our body parts? Only spirituality and a purpose-directed life can deal with such questions.

             Religions are losing their credibility and importance day by day as they fail to perform and connect humans with God. Quite a few persons are leaving their traditional religious base, and are going to other religions, or are becoming agnostics as their spiritual needs are not met. Interestingly the fast growing religions are not marked by freedom, equality, and human rights, but seem to provide easy answers to humans anxiety and insecurity. They are more autocratic, authoritarian, structured, and give simple assurances with a new dogmatism while doing aggressive and invasive proselytizing. This trend is not a welcome sign for humanity as humanity needs to turn inward in discovering the kingdom of God within while rigorously engaging in search for truth and the glorious liberty of God's children. The current change of religions or denominations may indicate that many persons utterly dissatisfied in their denominations are looking for new experiences before they can settle in what serves their needs or wants. May be they are looking for a more loving and caring community. There are others who keep their traditional religious base only for social belongingness to manage important life events such as marriage or funeral. Whatever the current situation, one thing is very clear to me that this is or should be a century of spirituality and religious harmony.

             The only way for religions to regain their credibility is by working for religious harmony and oneness of humanity. Oneness of humanity indicates that we are all in this one cosmic boat with one universal destiny, and we all need to work together in cooperation rather than in competition, strife, turmoil, and mutually assured destruction. We all need to oar together to reach our final destination the God of all.

             Some things that religions can do to foster religious harmony:

      Unconditional respect for other religions whether one agrees with their tenets or not as long as they do not violate human rights. Any religion that violates human rights cannot connect a human to God who is the author of human rights. Respect for human rights is the basis for any spirituality. After examining various religions, one needs to choose one's religion or path to holiness. When one is in doubt, one's search needs to continue till one's conscience is satisfied.       Instilling a relentless search for truth and tolerance for ambiguities, uncertainties, and diversities.
      Cooperation in developing a solid value system, ethical and professional standards in daily living, businesses, and professions. Discouraging financial dealings with violators of human rights. Non-cooperation with persons who engage in corrupt practices unless they mend their lives.
      Developing an educational system that emphasizes formation of conscience and character, and prepares persons for moral, spiritual life, and ethical living at all times.
      Fostering leaders of honesty, integrity, and a clean public record for serving the common good of nations and the world irrespective of their religious and political affiliations. Developing a political I. Q. (Intelligence Quotient), a Service Quotient, and a Corruption Index for persons aspiring for public life and political career.
      Respect for life, nature, and eco-systems and ecology that encourages waste and pollution management, and fosters the wise use of earth's scarce resources for all humans.