In any study of religion, students will come across a word that seems to be used in every religion: schism. The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines schism as “the division of a group into opposing sections or parties; the separation of a church into two churches or the secession of a group owing to doctrinal, disciplinary differences.” People in a group will differ — not exactly spellbinding news. If they differ enough, however, they will pick up, go off, and start their own groups, creating different religions or variations of a religion.

Even in modern times, divisions arise when debating religion versus politics or religion versus science, even religious versus secular systems of government. Disagreement continues to foster religious belligerence throughout the world, often expressed through violence. We shouldn't hold our breath for common resolution to come about soon. What does seem certain is that many (though not all) people, regardless of caste, creed, or nationality, require and often seek out some kind of belief system to sustain themselves in their daily lives, giving them hope and comfort.