Can Rationalists Fight Religious Bigots ?: Transcript Of A Speech By Ambassador Ashok Sharma In Delhi
By
Ashok Sharma for New Age Islam
11 March
2023
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Most Of The People In Religious Societies Have
No Choice. Sword Of Blasphemy And Social Ex-Communication Keeps Them Quiet And
Terrified. This Social Terrorism Has To Be Opposed.
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The widespread support shown by particular
strata of society to the advisory on “Cow Hug Day” and massive support to a new
kid on the block in the latest series of conmen – ‘Baba’ Bageshwar Dham Sarkar
are reflections of a new trend in the Indian society. Hitherto relatively
rational class of educated middle class has also started defending unscientific
theories and actions which promote medieval practices.
1. The immediate challenge to the
development of rational thought and scientific temper is from the archaic
medieval religious ideologies spreading superstitions and pseudo-science which
have the socio-political legitimacy in the name of faith and religion.
Howsoever funny and unscientific these ideologies and beliefs may be, it is
becoming increasingly difficult to fight them. Hence, the rationalists have to
include some immediate deliverables in their strategy. They should demand
sustainable and equitable development, reasonably good life to everybody and a
free environment for all to grow if they want to win the war against extreme
and supremacist ideologies.
2. We should also be concerned as to why the
rationalists are not vocal in most countries and meekly give in to the
irrational demands and practices of the other side. Why the Rationalists are
less committed than the religious groups or, those following irrational
ideologies which happen to be unconvincing and ridiculous ? A young Guru
Bageshwar Dham Baba attracts millions every week in his programs. The English
educated westernized followers go to Sadhguru in large numbers. Whenever you
have any religious congregation in India, including the festivals for bathing
in polluted rivers, millions of people turn up. Some Gurus compete with the
Forbes billionaires in wealth and wield more influence than political leaders.
On the other hand, we find only a handful of rationalists in any rationalist
function.
3. May be, the Rationalists are a bit too
rational and find it irrational and unnecessary to spread their ideas and show
off their strength. In fact, logically, there has to be more support for
rational thinking because of the increasing realisation that only scientific
temper may be able to fight the extreme ideologies and religious fanaticism
which have become the most dangerous existential threats of today.
4. The Rationalists seem to be less
committed. They do not come out openly because of social pressure. Of course,
they do not want to proselytise and convert. They also do not want to donate
money for spread of their ideas. Hindus at times offer their life earnings to
temples or, gurus; many Muslims pay Zakat and spend their life savings on Haj.
Many devout Christian men and women devote their entire life to spread the
message of Jesus and serve humanity.
But, the rationalists are not ready even to participate in conferences.
Several studies are being circulated on the internet that in Britain, The
Atheists donate minimum per capita for charity whereas Muslims are on the top
of the chart.
5. People go to religion or faith for
various reasons. Most of them go because of brainwashing in the childhood and
social pressure. Religion and God also act as medicine to depression, they
provide social bonding, they provide identity, a false hope that the God will
soon take them out from their difficult period and, above all, that this life
is not the only one – there is much more beyond that; and all is not finished
if you die or, suffer in this life. Religious teachers and saints give some
hope and also a promise of something good after death - heaven, paradise or
Jannat of various kind. They provide comfort and solace to their followers who
feel that everything will not be over; everything will not be finished once
they die, they may get a better deal afterwards. Even if it is known that all
these are false promises or dreams, they have a role to play in encouraging
frustrated individuals to work harder or, to achieve something. A fully
rationalist person may not be ambitious and may not be worried what people will
say after he dies or, even what happens to this world after his death as he
will not be there to see or feel it.
6. The biggest hurdle in the path of
rational thinkers is the lack of any practical solution to depression. More
research has to be conducted on depression. More funding has to be made
available to Psychiatrists to treat people scientifically from various forms of
depression and mental ailments. As little research has been done on depression,
religion is still the most common medicine. Moreover, purpose of life has to be
debated in scientific and rational terms. Search for a meaning in one’s life
has to be given a rational approach. Rationalists must try to explore tools for
fighting depression not only as individuals but also as a species. One day we
may become extinct; go to another planet or, develop into another species.
There is no need to be depressed. A better environment has to be created for
the period of the existence of an individual, a society or, the human species
as such. So far, Rationalists have not been able to create alternatives for
such exigencies. Rationalists do not even have social support groups. Of
course, any regimentation is irrational. I am not advocating formation of any
organised rationalist gangs but self-help groups which can provide moral
support in times of hardship and for solace.
7. The God is not our enemy, the organised
religion is. The organised religions are the biggest threat to the modern human
civilisation. Some sects are so supremacist that they want to annihilate or
destroy everybody else. At the same time, Rationalism is not synonymous with
Atheism. All Atheists are not Rational. Marxist-Leninists, Communists, racists
and Fascists can also be atheist, but not rational. In fact, nobody committed
to a certain ideology can be rational. A rational has to be a free-thinker at
the same time. On the other hand, we may find many good people who may believe
in some sort of a God or, a Supreme Power (or, could even be religious in their
personal lives) but are by and large rational in their thinking and actions. We
could work with them. They are also our constituency.
8. I am not condoning the belief in God but
all those who may believe in some so-called Universal ‘Power’ need not be
condemned. We can find greater acceptance and support from such sceptics. We
have to find more support for a life without God, a life without ideologies and
a life beyond the organised religions. This is achievable and many societies
have shown that. Humans are the only species who created civilisation, culture
and religion. Is this Universe created for us ? Are we the purpose of the
existence of this Universe ? Definitely no. But Religions have created Gods and
holy books to reply to all such queries in simple and definitive language. They
have created the megalomania that we are a special creation, the purpose of
creation itself, and masters of this Universe. Some religious preachers create
the impression that you become superior just by following their path. People
believe them as they want to be superior to others. They want to be special,
the chosen ones. They want others to submit to them and their beliefs. The
rationalists have to match their influence. We must accept that we do not have
answers to all the questions which may be raised by others. May be, we will never
have replies to many of those questions but it should not mean that we continue
to believe in fairy tales propagated for thousands of years.
9. Books written thousands of years ago are
irrelevant today. They were written by those who had no idea as to whether the
earth was flat or round. Any laws and practices in which the people have no say
(or, humans cannot change) are not only archaic but also silly and inhuman.
Laws and practices framed thousands of years ago need rejection or, complete
overhauling. Unfortunately, many societies believe that whatever is written in
these books is Universal and final for all times to come. Most of the people in
religious societies have no choice. Sword of Blasphemy and social
ex-communication keeps them quiet and terrified. This social terrorism has to
be opposed. For that matter, any ideology leading to regimentation is a
violation of human rights. We are born as individuals and not as robots. For a
true Rationalist, even the concept of a Nation State and nationalism seems
irrational. But, at this stage of human civilisation, there seems to be no
other choice.
10. There could be differences of opinion on
how to fight religions. The biggest challenge is how to ensure the safety of
those who are criticising the gangsterism and mafia of religious organisations
and sects. Every day, atheists and agnostics are being killed in different
parts of the world. In some countries, it is done by the State itself under
blasphemy laws, whereas in many places, there is a growing social acceptance
and support to such killings. No such killings can take place if the majority
raises its voice pro-actively.
11. In developing countries, majority of people
do not have access to rational literature and thoughts. More publications and
concerted efforts through rational education at the grass root level are
necessary to make them aware. More websites and journals in simple language
have to be launched in different parts of world. TV Channels with rationalist
agenda have to be started. More YouTube channels with rationalist debates have
to be created and popularised. The rationalists in democratic countries have to
make their presence felt and should become a vote bank in their own right.
12. Last but not the least, the rationalists
must have international alliances to learn from each other. Many developed
countries have achieved remarkable success in terms of scientific and rational
thinking of their people. Religions in these countries have little clout. These
countries are also the most democratic, egalitarian and high rankers in the
happiness index. On the other hand, many developing countries are moving into
the reverse direction. Their ruling classes are using religions to subvert
democracies and are trying to introduce medieval religious concepts in their
laws.
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Mr. Ashok Sharma is an IFS (Retd.). He was our
Ambassador in several countries. He is now a social activist.
URL: https://newageislam.com/interfaith-dialogue/rationalists-religious-bigots/d/129304