If Jesus, Muhammad, and Buddha were alive today, how would we receive them? Would we embrace their calls for compassion, equality, and justice, or would we reject them, label them as “woke,” and ultimately ostracize them?
Historically, these three great spiritual leaders were innovators and challengers of their time. They advocated radical love, compassion, equality, and acceptance of all, regardless of background or social status. Jesus spoke openly to Samaritans, Muhammad emphasized justice and care for the vulnerable, and Buddha rejected the caste system and taught compassion for all living beings.
Now ask yourself honestly: would their positions be popular today? Or would they face criticism, accusations of naivety or political activism? Would Jesus’ call to “love your neighbor as yourself” be seen as a leftist slogan? Would Muhammad’s emphasis on justice and protecting minorities be dismissed as oversensitivity? Would Buddha’s call for compassion for refugees and migrants be labeled as out-of-touch idealism?
We live in a time when words like “woke” and “cancel culture” are used to discredit ideas or people without really listening to their message. Ironically, Jesus, Muhammad, and Buddha would likely be targeted in this trend, because they repeatedly challenged the powerful and called for deep self-reflection and social reform.
Let us therefore honestly consider the question: “How can a human being be illegal?” Every human being is part of our human family. No religious or spiritual tradition advocates the exclusion or criminalization of people simply on the basis of their presence. How then do we justify the existence of illegality in our society? How can we preach safety while denying safety to those who need it most?
We often invoke religious commandments and use them selectively to justify our choices. But do we really live according to the essence of these commandments? Jesus, Mohammed and Buddha taught us not to be hypocritical, to act consistently from love and compassion.
The answer does not lie in polarization or exclusion, but in rediscovering our shared humanity. If we really take their messages seriously, we must strive for an inclusive society in which safety and love are not just nice words, but daily practice.
Let us change our attitude. Not from superiority, but from humility and the recognition that we are all part of the same 'herd'. The society in which we want to live starts with our own attitude and actions. Jesus, Mohammed and Buddha would encourage us to look beyond boxes and labels and truly live from the heart.
Today, we need their radical message of love and compassion more than ever. That is not a naive wish, but a realistic and necessary step towards a society in which no one is excluded and everyone finds safety, not from fear, but from real, sincere love, DZD.