Religion teaches us to be kind to people. Do on to others what you would have others do to you. I have learned this from my religion; but I have had a difficult time when I have faced adversity or animosity. It is easy to be good when people are friendly and cordial, but difficult when anger or animosity is directed toward you. The anger then appears to transfer to you, and kindness takes a back seat. Some religions advocate retribution when faced with intolerance and animosity, as exhibited in the Middle East, and Africa. But this tactic, often results in the cycle of anger and destruction, resulting in suffering.

Why do we encounter people that have animosity and anger toward us, even when we show no enmity toward them? In the Heaven’s Truth Religion (Tenrikyo), in one of the scripture it is said that these people are only “messengers” acting out (showing anger)  what we have previously done ourselves to others. We should not be angry with them, but ponder over what is being shown to us. By this process, we do not accumulate anger and hatred, and by the process of causality, we bring upon joy.