EXTREMIST IDEOLOGIES SPELL DISASTER TO A NATION'S FUTURE

It will be near impossible without some ideology to navigate society in its socio-cultural, economic and political directions as it meanders historically on its way forward. Devoid of such dynamics from within, only a static status quo will prevail rendering a people or a nation to stagnate without ideals, hopes and aspirations.

- Fr. Leopold Ratnasekera OMI Ph.D., Th.D.

Yet, on the other side, various forms of extremism with their radical and uncompromising ideologies, not only spell disaster but in reality, plunge countries into disorder and chaos disrupting the life of the people.

Most chaotic situations happening in some parts of the world are proof of this type of social unrest and indeed, in some cases, national tragedies. Such ideologies may be rooted in the way race, language, religion, social class or ethnicity are pursued by those who unleash these destructive forces which to wise minds prove to be shallow and short-sighted.

EXTREMISMS LEAD TO CHAOS

In a democratic country, diversity and plurality, freedom of expression, the right to information, the freedom to discuss and exchange views in a spirit of intellectual honesty and dialogue are the standard means of social interaction. These are sacred features that embellish life in a society. But extremism that makes a person go beyond rational limitations destroying all logically justifiable conclusions and perceptions tend to create an unhealthy and unbalanced social structure that can disrupt a valid form of culture and ethnic identity which are essential for healthy, useful and fruitful human and social interaction. Extremisms of any kind are the bane of integration, unity and communion in solidarity. One must have the ability to accommodate all shades of opinion without opening doors for friction and misunderstanding that destroy mutual trust and confidence among concerned parties degenerating into rival factions.