“Things from the heart don't have an explanation."

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."