Political
thinkers have opined that but for the British quelling the 1857 revolt by
native Indian British soldiers, the polity of India as we have today may have
been several states, controlled severally, most of them Islamic. What may have
been is not that significant as what it is.
Today
India is a Nation that defies political logic. It is one unique polity in the
world which survives as a unified Nation with such a diverse religious and
cultural dispositions. Yet we are afraid to debate religion and cultures. A
debate is but an expression of opinions supported by arguments. A debate does
not aim to come to any conclusion either way. If at all, it is for the audience
to come to conclusions.
Can
India as a Nation, with its diversity, progress emotionally and evolve, if
there are no debates on religions, beliefs and faiths?
In regard
to a debate on religion, I say hurting religious sentiment is a misnomer.
Sentimentality is an emotional state
disproportionate to the situation, and thus replaces extreme and generally
unthinking feeling for normal ethical and intellectual judgment. Psychologically
sentiment is an abnormal condition. While there can be a condition of religious
sentiment, being abnormal it cannot be hurt but only aggravated.
The very
term belief is anathema to the
intellect. A belief is something you suppose
it to be true just because it has been said as such over generations or by
somebody you trust. It you KNEW this belief
to be true, then it ceases to be a belief.
Constantly seeking the truth is a must for a progressive society. When any
society stops seeking the truth, it will be exploited by vested inters groups. Similarly
“I have faith in him (may be your lawyer)
to get me out of this” is different from “I know he will get me out of this”. The latter is more reassuring.
Being
critical of religion and religious practices is a must for an evolving society
to free itself from archaic practices of the ancient and medieval era. Instead
of shying away, discussions on religions and methods should be encouraged in a
thinking (wo)man.
A
discussion need not be derogatory of individuals or groups. It is after
prolonged discussions and consideration of differing opinions the Pope had allowed
the use of condoms – under certain circumstances. The change is a result of
objecting to a belief in the first instance. And just yesterday, departing from
laid down practice, Pope Francis washed and kissed the feet of underprivileged
women during the traditional Maundy Thursday ritual. Afterwards he said that the
gesture came from his heart as a show of love
and service and added “things
from the heart don't have an explanation."
