"الدين مثل السكين: يمكنك استخدامه لقطع الخبز، أو يمكنك استخدامه لطعن شخص في الظهر."

This quote boils down to one simple idea: religion, like many things in life, can be used for both good and bad purposes. Just as a knife can help you prepare food or cause harm, religion can bring people together or tear them apart. It’s not the object itself that’s inherently good or bad—it’s how we choose to use it.

Historically, this sentiment has been echoed throughout time. Religion has built communities, offered comfort, and guided moral compasses. But it has also sparked wars and been wielded as a tool for oppression. Think of the Crusades or the Spanish Inquisition—times when religion was the blade, cutting deep into societies with divisive fervor.

Let's get practical for a moment. Imagine a local church in a small town. This church runs food drives, provides shelter for the homeless, and offers support groups for those battling addiction. It’s a haven, a place where people go to find solace and strength. Here, religion is the knife slicing through a fresh loaf of bread, nourishing the community and giving life.

Now, flip the script. Consider a different scenario where a religious leader uses their platform to spread hate, incite violence, or marginalize a group of people. The knife here isn’t cutting bread—it’s stabbing someone in the back, causing pain and division.

So what’s the takeaway here? How does one apply this wisdom? It’s about intentionality. Be mindful of how you use the tools at your disposal—whether it’s religion, power, or even your words. Reflect on whether your actions are building and nourishing or harming and dividing. Ask yourself: "Am I cutting bread or stabbing someone in the back?"

Picture this: Sarah, a high school teacher, loves incorporating her faith into her teaching. She shares stories of hope and compassion, inspiring her students to be kind and considerate. Her classroom becomes a place of mutual respect and empathy. But she’s cautious—she never imposes her beliefs on her students. She’s aware of the knife’s dual potential and uses it carefully, aiming to nourish rather than harm.

Now, imagine if Sarah took a different approach. Suppose she used her position to push her beliefs aggressively, making students who don’t share her faith feel unwelcome and uncomfortable. She’d be harming rather than helping, wielding the knife recklessly.

It’s not about the knife—it’s about how you handle it. So next time you’re about to use any 'knife' in your life, whether it’s religion, influence, or talent, pause. Think about Sarah, the church, and the power of your choices. You have the capacity to nourish or to harm. Choose wisely.