Well, I have so many things on my mind. Let me put a few of those down here:
On Facebook, I see a lot of Sabarimala related posts, and a few posts about Mother Teresa and her sainthood.
My thoughts: I am an atheist and so, I tend to feel detached from religious matters...unless they threaten lives. In matters where people protest and call for change, I am inclined to be on the side of science (as I know it) and morality (again my morality: including feminism, humanism...)...
And yet, my knowledge that my loved ones, who have different spiritual orientations and preferences, carry such an emotional depth and conviction in their hearts encourages me to desist from laughing at them, ridiculing them or from even motivating them, of my own volition, to change status quo. This, is not because I am a status-quoist! Anyone who knows me a bit, knows I'm all for change for the better. But, I know how religion and beliefs are held so close to the heart and can drive deep wedges between people. Also, I have seen my loved ones derive solace from their beliefs and faiths. When I cannot provide them alternate ways of succour, who am I to argue with them and drive them out of their idea of godliness?
In the same vein, I shall desist from 'asking' (for want of a more non-violent and neutral term) for women's entry into certain temples or for calling awards of sainthood as fraud though you may well guess what my stand on these matters are... By selecting outrage on certain issues, we run the danger of leaving out certain other issues which are more urgent and not taken.
Peace!
On Facebook, I see a lot of Sabarimala related posts, and a few posts about Mother Teresa and her sainthood.
My thoughts: I am an atheist and so, I tend to feel detached from religious matters...unless they threaten lives. In matters where people protest and call for change, I am inclined to be on the side of science (as I know it) and morality (again my morality: including feminism, humanism...)...
And yet, my knowledge that my loved ones, who have different spiritual orientations and preferences, carry such an emotional depth and conviction in their hearts encourages me to desist from laughing at them, ridiculing them or from even motivating them, of my own volition, to change status quo. This, is not because I am a status-quoist! Anyone who knows me a bit, knows I'm all for change for the better. But, I know how religion and beliefs are held so close to the heart and can drive deep wedges between people. Also, I have seen my loved ones derive solace from their beliefs and faiths. When I cannot provide them alternate ways of succour, who am I to argue with them and drive them out of their idea of godliness?
In the same vein, I shall desist from 'asking' (for want of a more non-violent and neutral term) for women's entry into certain temples or for calling awards of sainthood as fraud though you may well guess what my stand on these matters are... By selecting outrage on certain issues, we run the danger of leaving out certain other issues which are more urgent and not taken.
Peace!
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