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THE INTERNATIONALNETWORK       FOR THE RIGHTS OF FEMALE VICTIMS       OF VIOLENCE IN PAKISTAN   (INRFVVP)     Religiosity and Spirituality EDITOR'S NOTE: This message has been received from INRFVVP Member, Dr.Kalim Irfani in response to an earlier message by INRFVVP Member Jane Cook writing from New Zealand.  We thank both Members for their thoughtful remarks. -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Religosity and Spirituality Date: Thu, 6 Apr 2000 ------------------ Dear All, Here is the copy of a letter to Dr. Riffat Hassan from one, Jane Cook in New  Zealand, half way around the world, which touches and resonates a common chord in all of humanity, irrespective of one's formal religious persuation. After all, what is the meaning of being 'religious'? Does it mean following certain rituals, particular to only one particular religion? Does it mean the exclusive right, to be right, even if one's relevance is merely relative, to the limited window of time, during one's sojourn on this planet? Does it mean total exclusion of the rest of humanity, created by the same one and only Creatorand exclusion from 'equal opportunity' in the scheme of things, by the same Creator? Or does it mean, love, compassion, sacrifice, dedication in the service and betterment of all humanity, all coming from and returning to the same God ? Irrespective of their cast, color or creed? For, aren't we all, human beings first, before we are different races, tribes  religions or gender? Talking of religosity and spiritulaism, Jane Cook, so simply and eloquently, brings forth, the contrast. On the one hand, the commonality of the 'purpose' of religion and spirituality, and on the other, the empty shell of exclusionary 'pure' religosity. Which, of course, applies to most religious situations. It is not the monoply of only one of the so many religions or sects. Thus, leading to all the intolerance, cruelty, brutality, inquistions, fatwas, edicts, massacres and holocausts, of innocents, time and time again. Just because the victims had a different religion? Does humanity want to walk on a path away from this curse? When and how will we start distinguishing between the darkness and light on this path? That is my unrelenting quest and question. Sincerely,     Kalim. To: "Dr. Riffat Hassan" <rshass01@athena.louisville.edu> Religion and Spirituality to my mind, should go hand in hand.  If one sees Spirituality as being concerned with those higher qualities of the human spirit, such as love, compassion, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, contentment, harmony, and a sense of responsibility for one's actions, then, somewhere along the way......whether they be Christian or Muslim or any other, certain religious institutions and followers, have lost the plot, and placed self-serving, patriachal interpretations of holy scripture above our own innate spiritual qualities and instinctive understanding of right and wrong. I am full of admiration for the work you're doing Dr Hassan, in leading the way to a future where hopefully all societies recognise any act which harms or does violence to another, as unethical and non-spiritual and therefore intolerable by any religious tradition. Sincerely, Jane Cook (New Zealand) She deserves a chance!   INRFVVP  P.O. Box 17202,  Louisville, Kentucky 40217, U.S.A.  Telephone: 502-634-6754  Fax: 502-637-4002.