Religion exerts a profound influence on all societies and many of the world's peoples.
Throughout history, it has proven to be the primary force for social progress, motivating individuals to develop spiritual qualities, and empowering them to sacrifice for their fellow human-beings and to contribute to the betterment of their communities. At the same time, it must be acknowledged that the perversion of religion has been a primary cause of social disintegration, intolerance, hatred, sexism, poverty, oppression and warfare down through the ages. Indeed, many of today's seemingly intractable problems, including many of those highlighted by the Social Summit process, can be traced to the corruption and misuse of religious authority. It is, thus, obvious, that if religion is to help meet the manifold challenges confronting the world community, it must be free of ignorance, prejudice and animosity. Through service and an active commitment to justice and unity, religion can bring an enormous, positive force to bear on the issues of social development.