Excerpts from “The Dangers of Monotheism…”
In a recently written piece on “The Dangers of Monotheism in the Age of Globalization“, Jean-Pierre Lehmann suggests that India (and our Hindu tradition) can be the new ethical and spiritual role model for the world.
Some excerpts below (emphasis mine):
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�Many in the West and elsewhere were shocked that an Afghan man, Abdul Rahman, was facing possible execution for having converted to Christianity. This is a crime, we were told, punishable by death according to Shariah law, which is the law of the land in Afghanistan, as well as in a good number of other Muslim countries.
�the episode is a telling example of the intolerance that is often the result of strict monotheism.To be sure, Christianity was even worse in its own heyday�
�The idea that Christian civilization (a fairly loose term) renounced religious persecution simply because the power of the churches declined is, of course, belied by the Holocaust. D espite being carried out by secular authorities, the Holocaust took place in Christian countries � and with the silent connivance of the established Christian churches.�Although both Christianity and Islam each have their strong points, without doubt, on balance their historical record would show more liabilities, more warfare, more intolerance, more persecution, than truly positive assets.
�The number of people killed in the name of these two religions must be far greater than the numbers killed for any other cause.
I am a great believer that the progress of civilization requires the gradual eradication of all forms of established religion�
�In recognizing this reality (however)�it would seem that perhaps rather than eradicating religion per se, we should instead eradicate monotheistic religion in favor of polytheistic religion.
If you have only one god, and you believe that god is all powerful and omniscient, and you come across someone who does not agree, then you may feel it is your duty to kill him.
If, on the other hand, you believe there are hundreds, indeed thousands of gods, and that none can be totally almighty or omniscient, then you are likely to be far more tolerant.
�Perhaps the most encouraging development in this early 21st century is the emergence of India as an increasingly global force, economically, politically and culturally.
�India ‘s one billion plus population is the most heterogeneous in the world. There are far more ethnic, linguistic and religious groups than in, say, the European Union. Yet, a far greater degree of unity has been achieved among India’s disparate ethnicities than among the tribes of Western Europe.
�in a global environment desperate for ideas, philosophy and religion, India is the most prolific birthplace of all three � because of the great synergy of democracy and diversity, and the much greater degree of self-confidence that Indians now feel.
Indians and members of the enormous Indian Diaspora � over which the sun never sets � are the thought leaders in economics, business, philosophy, political science, religion and literature.
The planet needs quite desperately a sense of moral order, spirituality and an ethical compass. The Indian religious and philosophical traditions can provide a great deal of all three.
It was in a recent conversation with an Indian religious guru that I was also pleased to discover I could adhere to his religious tenets, while maintaining my secular convictions. No imam or priest would allow me that.
�The planet also needs an alternative geopolitical force to the American Christian fundamentalist brand of hegemonic thinking that the Bush Administration has generated � and that is not likely to evaporate even after his departure from office.
Europe is an inward-looking and, in many ways, spent force. China is a dictatorship. The Islamic world is going through an awkward moment � to put it mildly.
Hence the importance of the role India must play in this respect � both because of its innate qualities and because there is no other serious contender. The 21st century better become the century inspired by the virtues of Indian polytheism � or else we are headed for disaster.�
Dear Shantanu,
An excellent write up.
It is very relevant as we have a choice of 33 crore gods. A hyperHyperHyper supermarket of Gods.
Take a your choice. No hang ups. What a sensation?
The role of “INDIA” is becoming more relevant, not because of “HINDUISM” in its simplest tems, but because we are looking inwards to succeed outwards, because of “SANATANA DHARMA”.
The whole beauty of the “DHARMA” is opening out and we are questioning, Questioning and Questioning.
We are repositioning our awareness of this way of life. We are looking more and more inwards to bring out the beauty of life and its truth.
As we continue in the long lost tradition of questioning and repositioning, a new dawn is awakening and I am sure “INDIA” will be the beacon of survival in the future.
Thanks for this article.
Regards,
vck
Excerpts from We Are All Hindus Now by Lisa Miller, NEWSWEEK (Aug 15 ’09):
Full article here
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The Rig Veda, the most ancient Hindu scripture, says this: “Truth is One, but the sages speak of it by many names.†A Hindu believes there are many paths to God. Jesus is one way, the Qur’an is another, yoga practice is a third. None is better than any other; all are equal.
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While I understand what the author is trying to convey, the above paragraph is logically inconsistent, and will be if it includes any path that says “my path is the only true path and rest all have to walk on this path”.
I’m not sure that “Truth is One, but the sages speak of it by many names” implies that any and all paths are equally valid. What it implies – according to my understanding – is that different paths can work for different people and these paths need to remain their personal business. Otherwise, we get into murky waters. If Qur’an or Bible are valid, then logically, there’s no problem with Hindus and the rest converting to those religions, since all paths are valid and true.
We need to be careful (and Shantanu, I’m not implying you said this) before using such pithy phrases or accepting them based on their “feel-good” interpretation by others without first understanding the context.
Sarvesh has already debunked another pithy saying (“Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”) which is quite common and used indiscriminately by many without proper understanding.
correction: “On his blog (http://bharatendu.com/), Sarvesh has already debunked…”
In case everybody has not noticed, religion has become irrelevant in the West. The reason for that is that science has answered so many of the questions of the phenomena of nature that the reason why Western societies pay lip service to is because of the civilising influence it had had on their societies. That has also left its mark on India when the British extinguished thuggery and the many other ills that Hindu society suffered from. Unfortunately, they left India without completely curing India.
One thing India has not been cured of is its tendency to delusions. The claim that “all paths lead to God” was effectively debunked in previous discussions. The following link was cited and which clinically and disposed of the nonesense.
http://www.boloji.com/hinduism/091.htm
There has to be something wrong with the language of the Hindu religion and society that even when the truth and falsehood of some things have been established, they still keep on rearing their heads on the premise that if something is said enough times, it will establish itself as the truth. Progress is impossible and a state of stasis prevails.
The philosophy of the West has been to pursue a path of unity in thought which was bound to be reflected its choice of religion. Christianity had served its purpose admirably for the simple reason that it was guided by a God who was given to reason. This has been absent in Hinduism and we have paid the price by not leading scientific and political advance. Such advance in India we owe to the West. Since religion has to have some place in society, it should serve the purpose of strenghtening the bonds of the nation. Hinduism would achieve that purpose more effectively if it strived for scholarship which is totally lacking in the discourses it has so far engaged in. As a matter of faith, it need not indulge in aping or emulating any other religion.
The ancient Romans had a religion not unlike Hinduism if the number of Gods to which they subscribed was the measure of it. Where they part company with India is that they excelled in politics, law and administration. These are the areas that India needs to directs its undivided attention and in which its performance remains abysmal.
@Khandu,
Not sure where you read your history lessons but sure as hell you’ve your facts mixed up.
First off, there’s no logical connection between advancement of science with British fighting thuggery and other “ills”.
Most if not all of what British did was to make Indians better servants. It came at a huge price to Indian society.
Second – “Christianity had served its purpose admirably for the simple reason that it was guided by a God who was given to reason.” If the Christian God is given to reason, then why go forcibly convert millions and fight centuries of war against non-believers?
Third – “This has been absent in Hinduism and we have paid the price by not leading scientific and political advance.”
This is totally disproved by history. Vedic Indian society was at the forefront of scientific and mathematical discoveries right until the Islamic invasion of India.
Even the most anti-Indian historians like Romila and Max Mueller will give that to you.
Fourth -“The ancient Romans had a religion not unlike Hinduism if the number of Gods to which they subscribed was the measure of it.Where they part company with India is that they excelled in politics, law and administration.”
Have you ever heard of a book called as Arthashastra?
Khandu Patel@”In case everybody has not noticed, religion has become irrelevant in the West.”
That is slightly incorrect. The factually correct (and politically incorrect) sentence would be “Christianity has become irrelevant in the West.”
@ Kaffir, Khandu, DD and Reena: Thanks for your comments…will respond soon.
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@ Kaffir: We need to be careful…before using such pithy phrases or accepting them based on their “feel-good†interpretation by others without first understanding the context.
Well said.
As for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, I hope you did read this post (from some time back).
Hi Shantanu,
I stumbled upon your blog only a few days back. I was extremely happy to see someone still raising voice about “the facts of Hinduism that values linked to it and its relevance to the Indian society as a whole”. All right thinking Bharatvaasis definitely should have your blogs link in the “favourties” section of the browser.
Since that day I have been an avid follower of your blog and extremely rich and praiseworthy comments from fellow viewers.
Regarding this blog, I feel there is a danger of Western society looking at Hinduism from a “Abrahamic” religion perspective and making some generic statements about Hinduism that its all encompassing – and that anyone following any religion , doing anything as per he wishes in trying to attain a truth , then he becomes a Hindu. All these westerners need to study deeply into the religions and philosophical teachings of Sr Madhvacharya, Sri Sankaracharya, Sri Ramanujacharya and all philosophers of the “golden” age of Hinduism. Then and only then conclude whether they follow Hinduism or not. A common westerner thinks that the divine Bhagavad Gita is the be all and end all of the Hindu religion (like like Bible/Quran is from an Abhrahamic religion point of view). A link on dharmacentral.com/universalism.htm which you posted on another blog has hit the nail on the head debunking “radical universalism” – todays Hinduism for neo-Hindus.
Not matter how globalised we become, its important that religion is strictly followed in its land of birth/orgin. Elsewhere its becomes a bit generic and cheap. Like Hinduism should be followed by all Indians, Islam by Middleeastern countries, Chritsianity and Jewism in Europe etc, for the simple reason that the religion and its characters can be closely associated with. For Bharatvaasis, Hindusism is more that just religion, its a question of our faith, belief, love and everything for all characters, Gods, demi Gods and Rishis and philosopers of the land Bharat. The common westerners will simply find it very difficult to easily associate with these aspects the way we do. Similarly the charatacters, kings, philosophers etc in Bible become quite irrelevant and may not be able to associate with them like Westerns do.
Thats why I feel religious conversion is extremely dangerous anywhere in the world (most definitely those done by Christian missionaries of India) This just degrades all good religions of this planet.
For me – religion is the guiding light but politics around it is a deadly poison – a rakshasa that can devour this beautiful mother Earth!!!
– proud Hindu
Vikram
Thanks Vikram..I do hope to see you on this blog more often.