The Only Difference

One of the biggest issues we face today is that of the struggle to obtain a common ground with other human beings despite differences in religion or background. It seems to be the one of the most difficult hardships that we all face in our daily lives. Why is this so hard to overlook our differences, though? If we can love those of our own religions and we can preach to others that love and acceptance is the answer, then why do we find ourselves alienating others for their beliefs? This thought has always troubled me, and it will be an ongoing struggle not only for me but also for many others for years to come.

In “Luxurious Hearses”, Jubril truly identifies this struggle. Having once been on the side of the Muslims in their protests against the Christians, he finds himself in a journey among those who are his enemies. Jubril must blend in with them in hopes of escaping from his own friends who had turned against him. After being among these Christians, he gradually begins to realize that humans actually have a lot in common with one another. He realizes that religion seems to be the only separator between these two groups of people; this simple difference, however, creates terrible action of hate and violence. People begin to murder others just because they are not of the same religion. What else do these people find in one another that is so different? What is so repulsive about a religion other than their own that would drive these people to slaughter others “in the name of their god”?

Jubril’s encounters with the television on the bus were a big part of what caused his realization of the fact that the Christians have much in common with him. As he watches the news reports, he begins to see the destruction that his fellow Muslims and himself have created within their country. He sees the true damage and the corruption that completely splits in his land in half amongst northerners and southerners. During a scene on the television in which refugees are running from the soldiers, the reporter states that there were both those from the north and those from the south who were hiding in the area to which Jubril was traveling. Seeing the mixture of people on the screen, he realizes something:

“The only difference Jubril saw between the two groups was the way they were dressed.”

Here is a true turning point for Jubril as he realizes that humans have much in common with one another. We are all essentially the same in many ways, but it seems as though a few differences among us can ultimately destroy us, as we allow this difference to hinder our ability to obtain peace with one another. It’s very hard for me to express how important it is for humans to share this world and find common ground with one another. It really shouldn’t be difficult at all to find similar characteristics with others, but we seem to let the contrast of our beliefs and others’ beliefs get in the way of this. It’s something we will all have to live with, however. It would be an understatement to say that obtaining world peace is easier said than done; it actually seems to be completely impossible. I think that peace would be easily attainable if we would all put forth more effort for it.

Further proving my point, I discovered that it was very difficult to find any article or website that addresses the idea of living among others of different religions and backgrounds; the truth really does hurt. After Googling about 10 different subjects, I finally found this website. It can really help you to understand other religions and it also has links addressing subjects such as tolerance of others:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/var_rel.htm