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Why is Religion Manipulated? – An Interview with Chief Rabbi David Rosen

18 February 2015

Davos, January 22, 2015- During the World Economic Forum in Davos, KAICIID’s board member, Chief Rabbi David Rosen was interviewed by Huffington Post’s reporter Alyona Minkovski. During the interview he addressed the role of religion in the wake of Charlie Hebdo. Rosen asked “Why is religion manipulated? What are the root sources of its manipulation? These are most often political impotence, marginalization, and economic deprivation.” These factors that promote manipulation of religion also can lead to extreme interpretations of religions that stem from humiliation and marginalization, he explained.  “And that I think that is the importance of interfaith relations, as it can build mutual respect. Societies have to give people the sense that they have a positive stake in [their community], in other words, something to live for and not to die for.”  He concluded that it is important for today’s society to regard “religion as a part of the solution, and not the problem.”