Unity in Diversity, Interfaith Cooperation and Religious Sects

1Why this topic matters

Rwanda knows from painful experience what happens when people are taught to see their neighbours as enemies. After the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwandans chose to rebuild on a shared identity: Ndi Umunyarwanda, "I am Rwandan". Religious difference, like any difference, can be a source of richness or of division. This lesson looks at how faith communities can live and work together, and at the challenges some religious sects bring.

21. Unity in diversity

Unity in diversity means living together in peace and cooperation while respecting differences of religion, culture, language or opinion. It does not mean everyone must become the same.

In Christianity, Paul compared the community of believers to a human body:

"For as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:12)

The Bible also teaches that all people share one origin: "He made from one blood every nation of men" (Acts 17:26), and it praises harmony: "See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1)

In Islam, the Qur'an teaches that human diversity is part of God's plan:

"O mankind! Lo! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct." (Qur'an 49:13)

It also says that God could have made all people one community, but did not, "So vie one with another in good works." (Qur'an 5:48). Vie means compete.

32. Interfaith relationships and cooperation

Interfaith cooperation means people of different religions working together for the common good while each keeps its own faith.

Both faiths give clear principles for this:

• No forced religion. "There is no compulsion in religion." (Qur'an 2:256). "Unto you your religion, and unto me my religion." (Qur'an 109:6)
• Kindness and justice to people of other faiths. "Allah forbiddeth you not those who warred not against you on account of religion and drove you not out from your homes, that ye should show them kindness and deal justly with them." (Qur'an 60:8)
• Peace with everyone. "If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men." (Romans 12:18)

Examples in Rwanda: Christian and Muslim leaders pray together at national events and during Kwibuka, the annual commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Churches and mosques join health campaigns, such as vaccination and hygiene drives, and help the government reach families in every village. Schools founded by one faith accept students of other faiths. Many Rwandan families include both Christians and Muslims.

43. Religious sects and their impact

A sect is a small religious group that has broken away from a larger religion, usually around a particular leader or teaching. Not every new church is harmful: many large denominations began as small renewal movements. But some sects cause serious harm.

Rwanda's approach. Rwanda protects freedom of religion but also protects citizens. A 2018 law sets rules for faith-based organisations: they must be registered with the Rwanda Governance Board, and their places of worship must meet safety and hygiene standards. In 2018, thousands of places of worship that did not meet these standards were closed until they improved.

Warning signs of a harmful group: a leader who cannot be questioned; pressure to give money; secrecy; being told to cut off family or friends; being told to leave school or avoid hospitals.

Worked example

Case study: Gatete, aged 15, joins a new prayer group. After a month the leader tells him that school is "worldly", that he must give his school fees to the group, and that he should stop visiting his family.

Question: Identify two warning signs in this case and suggest what Gatete should do. (4 marks)

Model answer: Warning signs: the leader tells him to leave school, and he pressures Gatete to give him money meant for his education (1 mark each). A third sign is being told to cut off his family. Action: Gatete should speak to his parents, a trusted teacher or a religious leader of a recognised church or mosque; he should stay in school and not hand over the money (2 marks).

Practice