Religion is something the people cannot live without.

It is their faith into

something that keeps them in moving forward. Religion is their driving force to be
just and humane. This is what keeps the people’s feet on the ground and this is
because of the idea that there is more powerful and far greater compared to them.
But what really is religion? I would like to share what Hans Kung, a catholic priest,
theologian and author, said, “There will be peace on earth when there is peace
among the world’s religion.” Peace on earth is a big word. The people have been
wishing that since time immemorial. Fr. Hans Kung believes that we can achieve
peace among us if there is peace among worlds religion. He did not suggest that we
should establish just one religion but instead just peace among the different
religions. It is accepting the fact that every people has their own beliefs, and that
every country is dominated by a certain creed.

Let us look into the ASEAN organization. Its different state members have
different religions. Religion is also something that every culture has in common.
The diversity of culture and religion in Asia affects ASEAN in terms of promoting
economic, political and social relationship between and among ASEAN member
states and ASEAN organization itself. On my personal viewpoint, religion is already
part of the culture of each and every ASEAN member states. It influence the way of
living of every person, how they understand morality, their basis for decision –
making, and the way they understand life. ASEAN basically promotes economic and
political cooperation by fostering relationships between and among its ten members
and been emerging knowingly in different fields and areas. The influence of religion
in ASEAN affects every state members of the said organization in terms of political,
economic, and social relations. Religion may not be disruptive in the political
decisions of a certain country if there is only one religion exist but in the case of
ASEAN state members, this fact may not be possible since ASEAN state members
have diverse religion and it could meddle with the decisions of every country. The
diversity of religion is very evident in Southeast Asia. In mainland ASEAN,
Buddhism is the most widely practiced religion. The said religion is predominant in
Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. Buddhism is also practice in Vietnam but
most of the Vietnamese are said to be an atheist. In maritime ASEAN, Islam is the
most established religion. It is practiced mostly in Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia
while Christianity for Philippines. Singapore on the other hand, has a diverse
religion and this fact is very evident because of the diversity of races living in the
country. Majority of the population in Singapore practice Buddhism while the rest
practice different religions such as Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and others.

ASEAN organization cannot force these countries to collaborate and just

believe in one creator. The ASEAN’s last resort will have to accept that it is beyond
their control to change something that is been living into their state members even
before their organization has been put up and established. The effect and influences
of religion to the different sectors to its countries as compared when it is viewed in
the organization is not the same. Each ASEAN state members will be influenced
through their way of living of every person, how they understand morality, their
basis for decision–making, and the way they understand life. On the other hand,
there will be a greater effect and influenced to the ASEAN organization itself
because of establishing standards in terms of economic, political and social relations
when it comes to its members. In relation to this, it is still evident that there are
still conflicts within ASEAN that can divide the countries because of different
perceptions of each ASEAN state members.

Given these facts, Harmony, cooperation, and integration are really affected
by different philosophies and religion. I would like to end my article with a quote
from Jagad Guru. "Without respect for people of different races or ethnicities or
religions, how can we have a peaceful and harmonious society or world? And
without a harmonious society, how can there be the necessary economic
development and atmosphere conducive to spiritual happiness and self-realization?”

References:

Jagad Guru,"Ancient wisdom," Retrieved

from: http://www.jagadguruchrisbutler.org/

Religion in Vietnam. Retrieved from:

https://www.insideasiatours.com/insidevietnam/vietnamese-culture/religion/

Sylvano Mahiwo et. al., (2013) ASEAN Studies I. Diliman, Quezon City: University of the
Philippines Open University

Dr. Tim Curtis (2012). Conference 'Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in ASEAN': Suan
Dusit Rajabhat University. Retrieved from: http://www.ilac.dusit.ac.th/wp-
content/uploads/2012/09/Tim-Curtis.pdf

Hans Küng Quotes. Retrieved from: http://www.religioustolerance.org/quotes5.htm