Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful Earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it often with human blood, destroyed civilization, and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now.
–  Swami Vivekananda, chief disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa

September 11th marks the day that  a traveling monk from India delivered his famous discourse to the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893. It’s important for us to re-visit the content of his speech given the alarming increase in distrust and religious bigotry these days. Read his full speech or listen to it here.