Philippine E-Journals

The Foundations of Peace and the Duties of Religions

Redentor A. De La Rosa

Discipline: Philosophy, Religion

 

Abstract:

The paper argued that the moral virtues are the normative foundations of peace and, given this, peaceful co-existence among religions and identities is possible. The study employed the philosophical-critical method wherein the main thesis is developed and advanced via a rigorous philosophical dialectic. The study found that the moral virtues are the primary principles of the natural law, which are naturally and spontaneously known through the practical reason/conscience. In as much as religions presuppose the existence of God, the moral virtues constitute God’s primary will for all men to accomplish and are the first and highest duties of religions. Although, most religions, if not all, teach the importance of the moral virtues, they are not given the highest position. Conflicts arise when religious laws, customs and traditions, which sometimes are contrary to the moral virtues, are given the highest priority. Thus, the paper argued that the moral virtues must be considered as the primary and overriding principles by which religious observances are judged as faithful or not. This means that the notions of sin and infidelity are to be understood mainly as offenses against the moral virtues. The paper concluded that peace can be achieved when leaders of different religions anchor their religious teachings, religious life, and the notion of religious fidelity primarily on the moral virtues, and above all, love.