Religion has long played a pivotal role in shaping human affairs, influencing social structures, cultural practices, and historical events. It provides not only a framework for individual beliefs but also a communal identity that can unify or divide societies. The interplay between religion and history reveals how belief systems inform human actions and societal transformations. It is important to understand this relationship in the study of both disciplines.

Arnold Toynbee’s book, A Historian’s Approach to Religion, published in 1956, is a significant work that delves into this complex relationship. Toynbee, a distinguished British historian renowned for his expansive work, A Study of History, offers a unique perspective on how religion intersects with historical processes, reflecting his broad concerns about human nature and historical development.

In An Historian’s Approach to Religion, Arnold Toynbee explores the intricate relationship between the nature of nature; the idolisation of parochial communities; power; and suffering. He suggests that parochial communities, defined by narrow, self-contained boundaries, often idolise themselves, believing their way of life to be superior to others. This idolisation, in turn, fuels power dynamics where communities struggle for dominance, power being a key determinant in shaping their relations.

Toynbee contrasts this power with the idea of an ecumenical (universal) community that transcends such boundaries, advocating for unity and collective understanding. In this framework, suffering emerges as an essential counterpoint to power; it challenges the idolisation of power, reminding individuals of their shared vulnerability and the limitations of human strength, suggesting that true wisdom lies in overcoming such divisions through empathy and spiritual growth.

Toynbee’s critique of self-centredness is relevant to the current social and political climate in Pakistan, where the focus on individual and group interests often takes precedence over the collective well-being of the people. The self-centredness manifests in the way certain political and societal factions prioritise their narrow agendas, sometimes at the cost of national cohesion and social progress. This trend can be seen in the political and religious discourse, where personal or sectarian interests overshadow the greater good of the country.

In Pakistan, self-centeredness is evident in the fragmented nature of political and religious factions. Various political parties, ethnic groups and religious sects often prioritise their narrow interests, leading to a lack of unity and collaboration. This divide also extends to historical narratives, where different groups might emphasise their own version of history, ignoring or marginalising the contributions and perspectives of other groups. The national discourse, shaped by such self-centeredness, often overlooks the broader context of Pakistan’s history and its role in the global community.

Toynbee warns that excessively self-centred societies are unable to evolve or progress. For Pakistan, this can mean a lack of social development and progress, as different factions and groups fail to cooperate in pursuit of common goals. This self-centeredness also affects Pakistan’s international relations, where a focus on national interests at the expense of empathy and cooperation with others can hinder diplomatic and economic growth.

The challenge, as Toynbee suggests, is to move beyond self-centredness and embrace a more inclusive and empathetic approach that recognises the interconnectedness of societies. For Pakistan, this could mean fostering a national identity that transcends ethnic, religious and political divides and embracing a more holistic and cooperative view of its history and its future. Only by doing so can the nation hope to overcome the fragmented and polarised dynamics that currently hinder its social formation and development.

Toynbee explored the role of religion in shaping historical development, asserting that religious beliefs and institutions have been pivotal in influencing the course of history. Religion can act as a unifying force in societies adhering to it. 

In the realm of religion, self-centeredness fosters a parochial approach where people regard their own religious beliefs as the only valid ones. This parochialism results in a lack of appreciation for the diversity of religious experiences and insights across various traditions. Such an insular view can perpetuate sectarianism and conflict, both within individual religious communities and between different faiths. Toynbee highlights how such limited perspectives prevent a deeper understanding of the broader human experience and the interconnectedness of various religious traditions.

To address these shortcomings, Toynbee advocates for a more nuanced and comprehensive approach to the study of religion. He emphasises the importance of adopting a historical and comparative perspective that examines religions within their own contexts and in relation to one another. This approach involves several key elements. Firstly, Toynbee underscores the value of comparing different religious traditions to identify common themes and divergent paths. By exploring how various religions address similar existential questions and challenges, historians can gain deeper insights into the fundamental nature of religious experience and its impact on human societies. This comparative approach helps uncover shared aspects of spirituality and provides a more holistic understanding of religious phenomena.

Besides, understanding religions within their historical contexts is essential. Toynbee believes that religions should be studied not merely as static systems of belief but as dynamic entities that evolve over time. By considering how religious traditions adapt to changing social, political and economic conditions, historians can reveal the ways in which religions influence and are influenced by their environments.

Toynbee also highlights the significance of cultural and religious interactions. Historical encounters between various cultures and religions often lead to significant transformations and innovations. These interactions challenge narrow perspectives and promote greater understanding and integration. By examining how different traditions interact and influence each other, historians can better appreciate the fluid and interconnected nature of human history.

Lastly, identifying universal themes and questions that recur across different religious traditions helps to bridge gaps between disparate systems. Toynbee aims to highlight shared aspects of human experience and foster a more inclusive understanding of spirituality. By focusing on common existential concerns and moral questions, historians can develop a more unified view of religious thought and practice.

Toynbee explores the role of religion in shaping historical development, asserting that religious beliefs and institutions have been pivotal in influencing the course of history. Religion can act as a unifying force within societies, providing a shared framework of meaning and values that help maintain social order and stability.

At the same time, Toynbee acknowledges that religion can be a catalyst for change, challenging existing social norms and inspiring movements for reform. This dynamic role of religion is crucial for understanding the broader patterns of human history.

In conclusion, Arnold Toynbee’s Historian’s Approach to Religion offers a thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between history and religion. His critique of self-centredness highlights a fundamental challenge in the study of both fields. His proposed approach — emphasising comparative analysis, historical contextualisation, cultural interaction and universal themes — provides a path toward a more comprehensive and empathetic understanding of religion’s impact on historical development.

The writer is a professor in the Faculty of Liberal Arts at the Beaconhouse National University, Lahore.