When
Philosophy becomes Stagnant and Dogmatic, the sludge that is formed at the
bottom goes often assumes the name of Religion.
Dogmas are ritualistic believes.
They generate ISMS and people following it in herds. A Dogma pre conceives
suspension of conscience. It adopts a “Follow Me” phenomenon. In all such
formations, individual becomes a speck in crowd. He is merely echoing someone
else’s logic.
Religion has been long pursued as
a Philosophy in Hinduism. Here the ISM is broken into a ‘Do it Yourself” project.
You define the shape that you wish for it and chose any number of pieces from
the available lot. You may use some and leave some or use all.
It allows you a panoramic view of
the Humanity and its desires and concoct a shape that you deem suitable for it.
It allows you to define your reach and leave any number of pieces and yet claim
completion of the assembly.
Religion as largely understood is akin to
Commandments. Thy shall do this and Not do that. A rigidly defined tunnel
vision. Disobeying the Commandments is sinful. Each of the different ISMS tries
to project an exclusive right over the salvation of an individual’s soul. Till French revolution happened most of the
European States had religion playing a very important role in their Statecraft.
Religion was being used as an instrument to rule and subjugate people.
This concept of religion had
caused major strife among communities and nations
The concept of Rights of
Catholics and or Protestants were replaced by rights of nationals only post
French Revolution.
Philosophy as defined by
Protagoras is: “Logical Quest for truth”. Religion often Values Myth and
Veneration over logic. Merely because certain Thought process has been
venerated since long and certain Myths are adduced to it, It gains precedence
over Common Logic.
A common man prefers religion
over philosophy. Religion as commonly understood renders certain illusory powers to its followers. Religion
implies an “Eyes Wide Shut” syndrome, much easier to follow and abide.
It entices him with the pleasures
of certain illusory heaven, and alternately frightening him with certain hellish
calamities.
These illusions to him are tools
to alleviate his misery.
Philosophy on that count is cold
and unreceptive.
So till the cause of this misery
is removed, his needs for these illusions is Live. Religion like OPIUM shrouds
his thinking and dulls his pain. The solace though illusory , yet the mitigation of pain is real.
Hence its necessity can not be
wished away till the roots/real causes of misery are removed from the society.
Religion often believes in
language and phrases. The words gain precedence over the spirit. Chants and
Rituals form its core. It is easier to motivate herds with dictums and rituals
vis-à-vis trying to engage them in an Intellectual intercourse. A conscious
thinking demands a constant live introspection, certainly a painful and an
arduous task.
This all may look like a typical
leftist prattle. However the so called proletariat revolution in different parts
of world too could not achieve the objective of
“सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः, सर्वे
शन्तु निरामयाः in its 100 years of History.
Broadly
all religions have spoken of a society where the ABLE people take care of the
“Lesser Children of God”. State through the Taxes collected by it, is expected
to bring “Salvation” to the said disadvantaged segment of the society. Marxists
incantation too is no different.
The
so called Marxists have also failed. Their FALLIBILTY is related to the
commonest human failing i.e. GREED. It is a basic Instinct or malaise present in
both Humanity and Animality. The ruler / ruled equation is common to all
formats, maybe except in ‘ANARCHISM’. The Leftist Rulers too indulged in their
Greed and behaved same as The Aristocracy or the Monarchy. Such bourgeois behavior
is a desire common to the entire class of Elitist. Marxists in their march
towards power fell for the same trappings, forgetting their ideology.
If
the 5000 years of Hindu or Vedantic Philosophy and nearly 1400 years of Islam
and the 100 years of Leftism could not make any dent in human behavior, then
necessarily the prescription is defective. The ready over the counter (OTC) drugs
can not cure difficult maladies.
Lately
this OTC drug is often damaging the
society. Suddenly followers of a particular religion are feeling threatened and have made a cult of
Violence as their signature. Violence by one segment acts as a Fodder and Fuel
for the retaliation or a recoil by the other group/victim Group, Principally in
the name of Religion” illiterate young people are being indoctrinated, to
kill.” Religion devoid of philosophy, is
a dead institution. Such dead institutions can be extremely dangerous. One can
not ask questions from a dead institution. A Dead Institution can only be
venerated and or revered. No space for a debate makes any institution akin to
an Expired or “Past Use by Date” medicine. Hence religion instead of
emancipating people, its original Tall claim, is killing people.
Religion
guided by Philosophy free of any ISMS alone can help mankind. There has to be a
constant introspection and debate. Using conscience as Google Map marking one’s
milestones, chalking the route alone can satiate the quest for truth. Let us
throw away all used maps and old signages.
Buddha
said, I can merely show a finger and indicate a direction, you must walk on
your own, and chalk out your roadmap........................... to be continued.
