Excerpts from books, lectures, and videos by Jagad Guru Chris Butler (Siddhaswarupananda Paramahamsa)

Hatred and conflict are often rooted in differences between people of different races and religions. We all need to respect people of different races as well as people of different faiths and religions. We need to unite by recognizing our common desire and need for a harmonious society—a society in which we and our children and families and friends and communities can all live our lives in peace and harmony. Regardless of our race or religion, we all want and need such social harmony.

Without respect for people of different races or ethnicities or religions, how can we have a peaceful and harmonious society or world? And without a harmonious society, how can there be the necessary economic development and atmosphere conducive to spiritual happiness and self-realization?

All of this fighting, this party or sectarian spirit, is described by Bhaktivinode Thakur as 'the greatest enemy of mankind'. If someone thinks ‘”I'm a Christian" and considers Muslims or Hindus to be his enemy and vice versa, such divisions have nothing to do with real religion, but are based on false bodily identification. There are so many similarly based conflicts and religious wars; for example, why do the blacks and whites fight? Why do they think there is any difference? Because they are only seeing with their material eyes. They do not see with the spiritual eye, that within the black body and white body are both part and parcel of the Original Cause and in that sense related. If people were thinking 'I am spirit soul, you are spirit soul' there would be no question of conflict.