Religious Fanaticism vs Conscientiousness

“Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.”

This verse from Proverbs encapsulates a shift in my thinking. I used to see myself as a victim, and had the false presupposition that the world owed me a favor. This personal realization mirrors a broader need in society today. In a post-2020 world where global systems teeter on instability, and where many in Gen Z disengage from civic responsibility, we face a pressing question: how do we, as a generation, cultivate a spirit of leadership rooted in accountability—rather than entitlement? How do we move from expecting privilege to embracing purpose?.

Firstly leadership could be defined differently depending on the specific context, i.e role or position whether in a corporate structure, or some other existing hierarchy. However, while the type of leader may vary we need to understand that there are fundamental qualities that a leader should have. One such notion is that of humility; leaders do not assume they know, they listen and ask for clarification on what they don’t know. It is in the brilliance of our Constitution that we find not only a set of laws but a living vision—one that protects the right of every citizen to seek God, speak freely, and live without fear. Article 25, for instance, is not a loophole or a luxury; it is a lifeline. It enshrines the freedom to profess, practice, and even propagate one’s faith. Yet it also draws a moral boundary: this freedom does not include the right to convert by force, fraud, or inducement.

Pastor Praveen was more than a preacher he was a leader. He not only sang of a Savior who heals rather than harms; he diligently walked the walk and preached a gospel that uplifted the weary without coercion or compromise. In a time when many were digging ideological trenches, he built bridges of understanding and compassion. And now, that bridge has been broken. We must name this moment for what it is: a cry for justice—not just for Pastor Praveen, but for every believer, dissenter, minority, or pastor who has been made to feel unsafe in the land they call home. Let us be unequivocal—this is not merely a Christian issue, nor even a religious one. It is a deeply human one. It is about the sanctity of life, the freedom of conscience, and the future of a nation built on pluralism.

In a world that often confuses strength with dominance, we must reclaim what true strength looks like: patient endurance, moral courage, and quiet conviction. True faith cannot be coerced—it must be received freely, through conviction and conscience. The gospel itself invites, it does not impose. And so, even as we live out the Great Commission, we are called to do so with gentleness and respect, never with manipulation or fear.

Though we urge the authorities to act and for the truth to rise—however slowly—it must be said that our response will not be silence. We will go on preaching. We will go on serving. We will continue to live lives of integrity that no fear can quiet. For the blood of the righteous still speaks—it does not cry out for vengeance, but for redemption. Our battle is against every force that seeks to distort truth, divide hearts, and dim the light of freedom. While we may not name names or parties, we know that when ideology starts to outweigh empathy, and when faith becomes a tool of control instead of a source of love, something sacred is being lost.

To our respected elders: your generation holds the stories, the resilience, and the lived experience of India’s complex journey. Your voices are not just needed—they are essential. This is not the time to retreat in frustration or look upon the future with contempt. This is the time to pass on the torch—not just with warnings, but with wisdom; not just through instruction, but through example.

To the youth: you are not powerless. You are not voiceless. You are heirs to both the legacy of our faith and the promise of our democracy. In the age of misinformation, convenience, and outrage, your awareness is a form of resistance. Learn the Constitution. Study its spirit. Not as an academic exercise, but as a guide to how power should be wielded and whom it should serve. Teach us how to question without hostility. Show us how to dissent with dignity. Guide us in choosing leaders who serve not their egos, but the needs of the community.

The race marked out for us is not one of conquest, but of character.

Let us be known not only for what we believe, but how we believe. Let our churches be sanctuaries of healing, not bunkers of fear. Let our conversations be full of grace and truth. Let our activism be marked by humility, not hostility. And let our resistance be radiant—not loud, but everlasting.