EVOLUTION OF RELIGION
Evolution of religion is generally linked with the existence of God. During the primitive stage of evolution, human beings were like the other animals. However, possessed greater intelligence and the power of thought than other beings on this planet. They had no distinction between the noble and ignoble deeds i.e. sinful deeds transgressing against the divine law. Therefore, at that stage, man could be described as a noble-savage. He did not feel the necessity to imagine about God. With the process of time, and sharp evolution of material progress, he came to be bound by some limitations in his conduct for smooth running of his social and economic needs. It led to the origin of noble, and ignoble or sinful deeds for orderly functioning of human society.
Secondly, man was unable to imagine the causes behind the natural phenomenon like earth-quakes, bursting of volcanoes, tsunami, floods, draughts, famines, outbreak of diseases, etc and miseries like hunger, loss of life, and property. Naturally, he felt frightened and used to lose his self-confidence to smoothly run his life. Out of fear, man imagined that on this planet, or out of this universe, there must be some imperceptible and omnipotent 'power' behind this entire phenomenon that was controlling his destiny. He variously termed this 'power' as God, Allah, Bhagwan, etc. before whom he bowed his "head" with folded "hands" to pay his obeisance to expect favour. Some of the natural phenomenon came to be linked to the cosmic bodies or 'divine' ancestors. With prayer to God, or cosmic bodies, or 'divine' ancestors, he started feeling good to restore his self-confidence that was necessary for a positive effect over his mental, and physical life, and consequently over the economic condition.
Simultaneous to this process, the 'smart and 'clever' individuals developed themselves into priesthood and started imprisoning both his "head" (linked with consciousness) and "hands" (linked with conduct & creativity) with the object to get benefit out of his creative activities. The said 'smart' and 'clever' individuals connived with the mighty-individuals or the rulers, and linked religion with morality and ethics to command natural and automatic obedience from the masses, and thus they became capable to serve their vested interests.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Thiest and Athiest
The world over, both the theistic and anti-theistic arguments are inconclusive. However, for the human beings, it is possible to think, and experience in both religious, as well as naturalistic/scientific ways to be a part of the universe on this planet. We are facing an issue of the fact, which at present, is veiled in ambiguity, so that both belief and dis-belief carry with them the risk of profound error. However, while keeping in view the individual freedom, those who have the inclination/desire to believe must be rationally allowed by human society the 'right to believe' in theistic, anti-theistic, or agnostic faiths of their respective choices, provided nobody's faith interfers/disrupts the overall promotion of the welfare of humankind; particularly because religion/faith is for humanity and not humanity for religion.
To promote understanding/cooperation among all human-beings, there should be continuous inter-faith dialogue. However, historically and even now currently, both the religious leaders and the ruling classes have seldom cooperated on the subject due to their selfish interests aimed at exploiting the credulity of masses. In India, they even went to the extent of sanctification of slavery for their brutal exploitation of the toiling masses. Would you consider the exploiters as theists? If you consider them as theists, the toiling masses, with the spread of higher education and modernity are likely to feel the inclination towards becoming athiests or agnostics.
To promote understanding/cooperation among all human-beings, there should be continuous inter-faith dialogue. However, historically and even now currently, both the religious leaders and the ruling classes have seldom cooperated on the subject due to their selfish interests aimed at exploiting the credulity of masses. In India, they even went to the extent of sanctification of slavery for their brutal exploitation of the toiling masses. Would you consider the exploiters as theists? If you consider them as theists, the toiling masses, with the spread of higher education and modernity are likely to feel the inclination towards becoming athiests or agnostics.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
INDIANS NEED TO CHANGE THEIR MINDSET
For six decades, generations of Indians have been taught to believe that the colonial rulers saw India through the lens of ignorance and prejudice. The Britishers used to believe that Hinduism could not build up a nation because of one 'vital structure' i.e. 'Caste' . National allegiance was secondary to the loyalty each (Hindu) owed to his caste, since his caste was his Karma, determining much more than his present life, namely, all his lives still to come.
Consequently, we may mirror India as a land obsessed by caste and unable to rise above it. Since the foreign rulers never aimed at being social reformers, they attempted to accommodate this caste obsession in public policy. They documented caste in all its bewildering complexities in the Gazetteers and most importantly, attempted to quantify caste allegiances in the Census operations from 1881.
However, even after the Independence, the 'vital structure' is still now supported in practice by India's political and religious leadership. Consequently, caste has become the bases of the government’s elaborative redistributive programmes. Sixty years of experiments with modernity have proved to be mere ripples on the surface; the depths of India’s ‘vital structure’ have been unmoved.
It is our nationalist modernizers who have been defeated by the ‘real’ India, wherein, the future appears to belong to the same old structure. As per the findings of some research scholars caste was the worst form of racialism and we may as well acknowledge it as per the ground situation in India.
To honestly deal with such situations (be it racialism or caste), in recent times, Germany has apologized to the Jews for the Holocaust, Japan has said sorry to the US for Pearl Harbour; the Pope has publically taken the burden of his errant clergy on himself and bowed his head in shame; Russia has apologized to Poland for Stalin’s massacre of its non-communist leadership in 1939; the federal government of Australia has apologized to its aborigines for willfully killing so many of them; and one & a half decade back, the Queen apologized for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Further, the British Parliament have legally declared casteism as tantamount to racialism, just to ensure that this contagious disease of caste may not grip their country, because of the deep-rooted mindset of the Indians settled there.
Are both the religious and the political leaders sleeping in India, and now to start with & to honestly follow all other civilized countries on this planet, can't they even pass resolutions expressing their resolve to revolutionize the the Indian society?
Consequently, we may mirror India as a land obsessed by caste and unable to rise above it. Since the foreign rulers never aimed at being social reformers, they attempted to accommodate this caste obsession in public policy. They documented caste in all its bewildering complexities in the Gazetteers and most importantly, attempted to quantify caste allegiances in the Census operations from 1881.
However, even after the Independence, the 'vital structure' is still now supported in practice by India's political and religious leadership. Consequently, caste has become the bases of the government’s elaborative redistributive programmes. Sixty years of experiments with modernity have proved to be mere ripples on the surface; the depths of India’s ‘vital structure’ have been unmoved.
It is our nationalist modernizers who have been defeated by the ‘real’ India, wherein, the future appears to belong to the same old structure. As per the findings of some research scholars caste was the worst form of racialism and we may as well acknowledge it as per the ground situation in India.
To honestly deal with such situations (be it racialism or caste), in recent times, Germany has apologized to the Jews for the Holocaust, Japan has said sorry to the US for Pearl Harbour; the Pope has publically taken the burden of his errant clergy on himself and bowed his head in shame; Russia has apologized to Poland for Stalin’s massacre of its non-communist leadership in 1939; the federal government of Australia has apologized to its aborigines for willfully killing so many of them; and one & a half decade back, the Queen apologized for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Further, the British Parliament have legally declared casteism as tantamount to racialism, just to ensure that this contagious disease of caste may not grip their country, because of the deep-rooted mindset of the Indians settled there.
Are both the religious and the political leaders sleeping in India, and now to start with & to honestly follow all other civilized countries on this planet, can't they even pass resolutions expressing their resolve to revolutionize the the Indian society?
Saturday, July 16, 2011
SOUL AND ITS RE-INCARNATION
A Rationalist observation on 'Soul' & its 'Re-incarnation':
The fear of not achieving salvation, in majority cases, may be charged directly to religious fanaticism. For hundreds of millions of years man has been asking the still unanswered question—“Whence” and “Whither”— from where did his soul come at birth and where it is going at death?
The thought of eternal punishment destroys interest in life and makes happiness impossible. The religious leader may not be able to provide safe conduct into heaven. But, the very thought of hell hold the imagination in such a realistic way that it paralyzes reason, and sets up the fear of death.
Since the dark ages of the past, more cunning and crafty, as well as the honest but credulous of the human race have been active to offer the answer to these questions, along with their explanation of “Salvation” for a price. In fact, the answering of these questions has become one of the so called “learned” professions, despite the fact that but little learning is required to enter this profession. Nobody knows wherefrom our souls come at birth and where the same go after death. Any person claiming otherwise is either deceiving himself or he is a conscious imposter who makes it a business to live without rendering service of value, through play upon the credulity of humanity. The doctrine of “Salvation” is based upon the notion that certain portion of human personality called the “Soul” survives after death. The hope of “Salvation” has filled the coffers of the Priest-Parasites with more gold and silver, as they have reduced ethics to ignoble commercial arithmetic and have prospered on fraud and superstition. Liberation of humanity from superstition is necessary to achieve scientific ethics in the interest of human growth. Actuality and growing civilized human personality rule the Earth.
The various religious denominations are but competing brands in the market-place or public perceptions and consumer loyalty. Indeed, many schools of metaphysics go far beyond the borders of religion. Religion is good so long as it preserves and promotes humanity. Beyond that we are compelled to reject it, because religion is for humanity and not humanity for religion. Therefore, take life as it comes to you by developing a positive attitude, without the fear of death created by superstition.
The fear of death is not as common now as it was during the old ages. Men of science have turned the spotlight of truth upon the world and this truth is rapidly freeing people from this terrible fear of death. Through the aid of biology, astronomy, geology and other related sciences, the fears of dark ages which gripped the minds of men have been dispelled.
The entire world is made up of two things, energy and matter. In elementary physics, we learn that neither matter, nor energy (the only two realities known to man) can be created, nor destroyed. Both matter and energy can be transformed, but neither can be destroyed.
Life is energy, if it is anything. If neither energy, nor matter can be destroyed, of course life cannot be destroyed. Life, like other forms of energy, may be passed through various processes of transition, or change, but it cannot be destroyed. Therefore, “death” is mere transition.
If death is not mere change, or transition, then nothing comes after death except a long, eternal, peaceful sleep, and sleep is nothing to be feared. Thus, you may wipe out, for ever, the false concept of re-incarnation of souls.
The fear of not achieving salvation, in majority cases, may be charged directly to religious fanaticism. For hundreds of millions of years man has been asking the still unanswered question—“Whence” and “Whither”— from where did his soul come at birth and where it is going at death?
The thought of eternal punishment destroys interest in life and makes happiness impossible. The religious leader may not be able to provide safe conduct into heaven. But, the very thought of hell hold the imagination in such a realistic way that it paralyzes reason, and sets up the fear of death.
Since the dark ages of the past, more cunning and crafty, as well as the honest but credulous of the human race have been active to offer the answer to these questions, along with their explanation of “Salvation” for a price. In fact, the answering of these questions has become one of the so called “learned” professions, despite the fact that but little learning is required to enter this profession. Nobody knows wherefrom our souls come at birth and where the same go after death. Any person claiming otherwise is either deceiving himself or he is a conscious imposter who makes it a business to live without rendering service of value, through play upon the credulity of humanity. The doctrine of “Salvation” is based upon the notion that certain portion of human personality called the “Soul” survives after death. The hope of “Salvation” has filled the coffers of the Priest-Parasites with more gold and silver, as they have reduced ethics to ignoble commercial arithmetic and have prospered on fraud and superstition. Liberation of humanity from superstition is necessary to achieve scientific ethics in the interest of human growth. Actuality and growing civilized human personality rule the Earth.
The various religious denominations are but competing brands in the market-place or public perceptions and consumer loyalty. Indeed, many schools of metaphysics go far beyond the borders of religion. Religion is good so long as it preserves and promotes humanity. Beyond that we are compelled to reject it, because religion is for humanity and not humanity for religion. Therefore, take life as it comes to you by developing a positive attitude, without the fear of death created by superstition.
The fear of death is not as common now as it was during the old ages. Men of science have turned the spotlight of truth upon the world and this truth is rapidly freeing people from this terrible fear of death. Through the aid of biology, astronomy, geology and other related sciences, the fears of dark ages which gripped the minds of men have been dispelled.
The entire world is made up of two things, energy and matter. In elementary physics, we learn that neither matter, nor energy (the only two realities known to man) can be created, nor destroyed. Both matter and energy can be transformed, but neither can be destroyed.
Life is energy, if it is anything. If neither energy, nor matter can be destroyed, of course life cannot be destroyed. Life, like other forms of energy, may be passed through various processes of transition, or change, but it cannot be destroyed. Therefore, “death” is mere transition.
If death is not mere change, or transition, then nothing comes after death except a long, eternal, peaceful sleep, and sleep is nothing to be feared. Thus, you may wipe out, for ever, the false concept of re-incarnation of souls.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Electoral Reforms
Electoral Reforms:
The top most drawback in the current electoral system in India is that whosoever manages to get about 15% to 25% of the total votes polled (as per the current first past the post system), gets elected as people's representative in the Parliament/State Assemblies thereby projecting herself/himself as the politically popular person representing the wishes of the majority; while actually S/he is not. Consequently, in actual practice, the wishes of the majority of people go un-addressed, thereby resulting in mass dis-satisfaction and sometimes, even unrest. To cope with this situation, electoral reforms specifically including the provision of preferential treatment single tranferable voting system (wherein a voter expresses three preferences from amonst the candidates in field) should be introduced, and the person getting more than 50% of the total votes should thus be declared elected. Consequently, the party in power shall naturally be considered as the most popular representing the wishes of the majority and it shall result in lesser and lesser unrest. Moreover, the Government thus actually commanding majority among the masses must have the strong will to successfully counter the problems created by some NGOs from time to time. It shall also empover the Government to deal with the demand of those, who are currently asking for the 'Right to Recall'.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Psychology of Success
STEPS TO DEVELOP POSITIVE ATTITUDE:
Whatever one looks outwardly, his real self is revealed by his attitude. A positive attitude helps in development of action for success. The following steps can be helpful to develop positive attitude—
1. Develop the habit of looking for the positive and optimistic things.
2. Make a habit of doing it now. Live in the present and do away with
procrastination. Develop the habit of accomplishing every task without
delay.
3. Develop an attitude of gratitude for what you have instead of what you
don't. Be always thankful to those from whom you ever get help.
4. Continuously develop the habit of learning new things. Get into
continuous education programme for self-improvement and
competence in your chosen field for realizing your objectives.
5. Develop good self-esteem by selflessly doing something for those
whom you can't give money or prosperity and don't expect anything
in return.
6. Look for good points in everything and each individual. But also keep
away from negative influences of petty thinking people, intoxicants,
negative programmes of the media, etc.
7. Develop self-discipline and abstain from undesirable actions. That is
what will make you more focused. Don’t use inauspicious, negative
and abusive words. Use good and meaningful language.
8. Start doing what is necessary and possible. Learn to like things that
need to be done.
9. There should not be any gap between what you say and do. Be
punctual in whatever you do.
10. Be prepared to listen to criticism. If you disagree, do it courteously.
11. Don’t be a miser in appreciating ,congratulating and encouraging
others.
12. Get rid of your debts and obligations as soon as possible.
13. Determine your definite objectives clearly. Always keep your eyes on
achieving your aim. Remember! Life is action not contemplation. As
Robert Frost said: 'Miles to go before I sleep'. Ultimately, success is
what you want it to be, and that choice resides solely in your mind and
heart.
14. Start each day with a positive note aimed at improvement in your
thinking, actions and behaviour. There are many temptations in the
world, but one has to head for his goal without distractions. Only your
persistent efforts can achieve what you want.
Whatever one looks outwardly, his real self is revealed by his attitude. A positive attitude helps in development of action for success. The following steps can be helpful to develop positive attitude—
1. Develop the habit of looking for the positive and optimistic things.
2. Make a habit of doing it now. Live in the present and do away with
procrastination. Develop the habit of accomplishing every task without
delay.
3. Develop an attitude of gratitude for what you have instead of what you
don't. Be always thankful to those from whom you ever get help.
4. Continuously develop the habit of learning new things. Get into
continuous education programme for self-improvement and
competence in your chosen field for realizing your objectives.
5. Develop good self-esteem by selflessly doing something for those
whom you can't give money or prosperity and don't expect anything
in return.
6. Look for good points in everything and each individual. But also keep
away from negative influences of petty thinking people, intoxicants,
negative programmes of the media, etc.
7. Develop self-discipline and abstain from undesirable actions. That is
what will make you more focused. Don’t use inauspicious, negative
and abusive words. Use good and meaningful language.
8. Start doing what is necessary and possible. Learn to like things that
need to be done.
9. There should not be any gap between what you say and do. Be
punctual in whatever you do.
10. Be prepared to listen to criticism. If you disagree, do it courteously.
11. Don’t be a miser in appreciating ,congratulating and encouraging
others.
12. Get rid of your debts and obligations as soon as possible.
13. Determine your definite objectives clearly. Always keep your eyes on
achieving your aim. Remember! Life is action not contemplation. As
Robert Frost said: 'Miles to go before I sleep'. Ultimately, success is
what you want it to be, and that choice resides solely in your mind and
heart.
14. Start each day with a positive note aimed at improvement in your
thinking, actions and behaviour. There are many temptations in the
world, but one has to head for his goal without distractions. Only your
persistent efforts can achieve what you want.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Psychology of Success.
ATTITUDE
Attitude is a settled way of thinking or feeling. The study of attitude assumes importance, because our actions meant for achieving success depend upon what we think, feel, react to a given situation. Attitude may both be positive or negative depending upon the various factors that determine it and set it into an individual's personality and actions. An individual's attitude is chiefly developed and determined by his/her environment, life-experience and education.
Environmental factors include the nature of influences (positive or negative) from home, cultural and religious background, traditions and beliefs, peer pressure, workplace, media, as well as social and political environment.
Our life-experience is influenced by the type of people we deal and the circumstances we face and accordingly our actions and behaviour get moulded. Formal and informal education received in a planned manner develops into wisdom, makes one learn the life-work, the art of living and thus influences our attitude.
GREAT IMPACT OF ATTITUDE:
Impact of attitude on life is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. We can say that life is 10 per cent what happens to you and 90 per cent of how you react to various situations.
Some people think of attitude as a little thing, but it makes a big difference. It will make or break a company, a church, a home. One can be happy at times and sad at times. However, the remarkable thing is we have a choice regarding the attitude we will embrace for whatever happens. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood.
You can look on the positive side of the situation and take life positively. Each time something happens, one chooses to learn from it. It is all in the mind how you react to different situations. You can be what you want to be.
It is your choice how you live life. Attitude, after all, is everything.
The less energy you expend in unnecessary emotional gyrations the more you have for intelligent decision-making and self-development for success. Your thoughts create your reality. The goal is to be the driver of our actions, not the passenger. So, work on constantly framing your experiences in ways that are empowering for you and others, and make your life more workable and enjoyable.
While identifying your strengths and working on them, you could reach the critical mass of good habits, which are crucial for success. It will also encourage you towards making serious efforts to identify your negatives and work on them. Change is possible in each one of us at any age.
People with great education and brilliant brains can fail in life because of their wrong attitude. Those with right attitude find something good, something personal in everything even if it is right.
Attitude not only affects our performance, it also has a profound effect on the attitude of the people around us. Therefore, in order to be successful and happy at work, in the social environment and home, it is very important to have a positive attitude.
We all inherit a temperament, which is some total of our feelings and reactions. It dictates how we behave and is reflected in our overall personality. You can work on your temperament and make a positive change.
TO BE CONTINUED--
Attitude is a settled way of thinking or feeling. The study of attitude assumes importance, because our actions meant for achieving success depend upon what we think, feel, react to a given situation. Attitude may both be positive or negative depending upon the various factors that determine it and set it into an individual's personality and actions. An individual's attitude is chiefly developed and determined by his/her environment, life-experience and education.
Environmental factors include the nature of influences (positive or negative) from home, cultural and religious background, traditions and beliefs, peer pressure, workplace, media, as well as social and political environment.
Our life-experience is influenced by the type of people we deal and the circumstances we face and accordingly our actions and behaviour get moulded. Formal and informal education received in a planned manner develops into wisdom, makes one learn the life-work, the art of living and thus influences our attitude.
GREAT IMPACT OF ATTITUDE:
Impact of attitude on life is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. We can say that life is 10 per cent what happens to you and 90 per cent of how you react to various situations.
Some people think of attitude as a little thing, but it makes a big difference. It will make or break a company, a church, a home. One can be happy at times and sad at times. However, the remarkable thing is we have a choice regarding the attitude we will embrace for whatever happens. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood.
You can look on the positive side of the situation and take life positively. Each time something happens, one chooses to learn from it. It is all in the mind how you react to different situations. You can be what you want to be.
It is your choice how you live life. Attitude, after all, is everything.
The less energy you expend in unnecessary emotional gyrations the more you have for intelligent decision-making and self-development for success. Your thoughts create your reality. The goal is to be the driver of our actions, not the passenger. So, work on constantly framing your experiences in ways that are empowering for you and others, and make your life more workable and enjoyable.
While identifying your strengths and working on them, you could reach the critical mass of good habits, which are crucial for success. It will also encourage you towards making serious efforts to identify your negatives and work on them. Change is possible in each one of us at any age.
People with great education and brilliant brains can fail in life because of their wrong attitude. Those with right attitude find something good, something personal in everything even if it is right.
Attitude not only affects our performance, it also has a profound effect on the attitude of the people around us. Therefore, in order to be successful and happy at work, in the social environment and home, it is very important to have a positive attitude.
We all inherit a temperament, which is some total of our feelings and reactions. It dictates how we behave and is reflected in our overall personality. You can work on your temperament and make a positive change.
TO BE CONTINUED--
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