Religion is in sharp focus these days on account of wide spread feeling that it is the cause for all conflict in human society. Hence there is a pressing need to understand religion in some depth.

Among the innumerable institutions that cater to the need of mankind, religion is the oldest one, its origin dating back to the advent of man. Since eternity religion has been providing incomparable services to mankind by extending free guidance and counselling on every step. It had utility for prehistoric man and has great utility for the modern and the future man as well. It strives to bridle the debased, brazen animal instincts in man and protect the interests of the weak, meek, humble and the gentle. Devoid of religion man is akin any beasts that roams the jungle. Cutting across national and international barriers, religion binds man to man in human brotherhood and helps forge affinity with the Creator. Mere rituals do not make religion. Of course rituals are needed to generate the aura of Gods presence. Religion must essentially guide mankind to the path if righteousness, Dharma, Siraat-e-mustaqeem. The purpose of all prayer and meditation is to inculcate divine values in man. Isnt it the mission of religion to convert the basic bestial man into a lofty human being?

Modern man is turning away from religion. The contributing factors of this trend are manifold. Despite this trend everyone feels proud of his religion and claims loftiest status of his religion. Though this is not fortified by sound knowledge and regular practise of religion, this pious feeling towards religion in itself is commendable. Problems arise when other religions are condemned and vilified. Some say that all religions are equally good, whereas a few say that all are equally bad. These thoughts and expressions must be corroborated with proof from the scriptures, as they are the authentic source of information on religion.

The Alchemy of religion consists of subtle, divine elements, which need thorough understanding. These elements are enshrined in the concepts of all world religions.

Christianity propagates the divine truth: belief in (1) God (2) Angels (3) Scriptures (4) Prophets (5) Dooms day (6) Destinyits architect being God (7) Life after Death.

Hinduism believes in : (1) Parameshwar (2) Devdoot (3) Dharmagranth (4) Avtar (5) Mahapralaya (6) Prarabdha Bhagyam written by Parameshwar (7) Punarjanma.

Islam propagates : Aamanto bi (1) Allah (2) Malaekatehi (3) Kutoobehi (4) Rasoolehi (5) Yom il Aakhere (6) Al qadre Khairehi wa sharrehi min Allah taala (7) Albaase baad al Mout (Eimaan-e-Mufassil).

The way the chemical formula of a particular substance, eg water (H20) does not change in any region of the world. The divine elements presented above remain the same and that too in exactly the same order in all religions. Glorifying one particular religion amounts to eulogizing all religions. God Almighty is the founder and supreme head of religion with its numerous branches headed by his representatives known to mankind as Avatar, Prophets and Mursaleen (Paighambar). Who would like to vilify religion and incur the wrath of Almighty God?

Great civilizations and powerful empires of the past produced mighty rulers who went to the extent of proclaiming even Godhood for themselves. Those puny men ignominious end carrying with them to dust their empires and civilizations. This disaster descended on them not on account of religion but due to their irreligiousness. The most apt saying for such occasions is, Nero(s) played the fiddle while Rome burned! Will the modern Pharaohs, Nimrods, Shaddads, Duryodhanas, Ravanas, Judas, Abu Jehals, Yezids (including of course the half-baked, wayward clerics and fake holy men) mend their ways in the interest of their own salvation in this as well as the life hereafter and stop besmirching the divine face of religion?