I beg to differ with Mr. K. Veeramani when he says that in religion there is no place for questioning. In India if so many sects have taken birth and have flourished, it is mainly because of two reasons. First, the founders of these sects questioned certain beliefs, interpretations of the holy texts and the rituals which were in vogue in their respective times whether it is Sikhism or Arya Samaj. Second, in India free expression of views was never restricted unlike in many countries where resoning of holy texts constitutes blasphemy. Fact of matter is that the element of reasoning and questioning of faith prevailed in India in all periods. For example Guru Nanak Dev and Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati both questioned many such practices, rituals and beliefs in Hinduism, being practiced at those times, which created inequality in humanity and gender bias. Buddhism and Jainism surfaced only because Hinduism as interpreted by the religious heads at that time was reasoned.
Reasoning of religion will never cease. For example many states have banned slaughter of animals in the temples though it was defended by many as a part of religion. Likewise Maharashtra govt. has promulgated anti superstition law, the eradication of blind faith bill to stop black magic and human sacrifices. It is happening because of the reasoning only.
Religion will always be questioned and reasoned in an open society in the changing times but basic core of religion which aims at making a man good human being will remain intact. Bad people do bad acts and good people do good acts, but a true religion many a times has made bad people turn good not always because they started accepting God.
Confining religion to acceptance of God is too narrow a perception of Mr. K. Veeramai. What would he say about Buddhism? For example there are religions which derive their strength from the concept of Karma Bhog ie fruit of ones actions and it goes to turn believers in to better human beings.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
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