Twenty two-year-old Arun Vijayan loves visiting the St. Anthony's Shrine every Tuesday. Even more astonishing is the fact that he has been going to the church ever since his school days just to sit there in the evenings quietly and pray. While to most it might appear to be a case of questioning one's own religion by comparing it to another, to youngsters like him it symbolises the quest for inner peace.
Speaking about it he says, "There is nothing new really, I was born in a Hindu household and visits to the temples was a pretty common thing for me. However as a youngster I had once accompanied one of my friend to the church and I just found it to be a quiet place where I could just sit and think about everything that I have ever read or heard about various religions and question my own stance about these things. More importantly I find the place to be one where I can connect with myself on a different level."
The story of people visiting places of different faiths is not new. While it is something that people from certain sections of society might not approve, largely most people welcome this as a sign of positive change and secularism. "I visit the temple and the gurudwara near my place very frequently even though I am a Christian myself. There is nothing wrong in going to these places to connect with your own self, or even just sit and be at peace with everyone. In fact it is a sign that people are finally becoming broad minded and understanding that all religions preach the same fundamental truths of spreading peace and happiness," says George Roy, software professional.
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