The universal values inherent in all the great religions of the world are often overlooked with all the preoccupation with ritual and theology. It is, in fact, these universal spiritual values that ultimately link all human beings into one great extended family- Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam , as the Vedas have it. Fanning the spark of potential divinity within each individual, irrespective of race or creed, sex or nationality, caste or colour, into the blazing fire of spiritual discernment, is the true role of the great religions of humanity. Religion, the participants said, is not a collection of rigid practices, fixed once for all and removed from any context. Religions borrow from one another, change constantly and are continually enriched, not always accompanied by violence.
Conflict arises whenever a religion claims dominance and control over others.
Past conflicts can teach us things about the present, but their example cannot be applied in entirety to modern times. And the nature of conflict itself has changed. These days people argue less over sacred texts and more about culture and lifestyle. Today, conflicts often arise between liberal and conservative wings of the same faith. Another modern feature is that the worst conflicts are occurring within multi-ethnic societies, such as the countries of the former Soviet Union.