Comment on “Religion Without Truth”

In an interesting essay in the New York Times*, Stanley Fish, Professor of Law at Florida International University, discusses whether religion (and specifically Bible) can ever be taught without taking into account the “truth” claims of various religions (or pretending that they don’t exist)….

Interestingly, he does not mention Hinduism in his critique (could it be because it cannot be accused of things that he accuses other religions of?)

Some excerpts:

…On the one side, knowledge of the Bible “is essential to being a full-fledged, well-rounded citizen”; also, if you get into a debate with a creationist, it would be good if you knew what you’re talking about.

On the other side: bring the Bible into the schools and you are half a step away from proselytizing; and besides, courses in the Bible typically play down the book’s horrific parts (dashing children against stones and the like), and say little about the killings done in its name.

As Stanley notes, the usual response to those who fear that …(it) will sooner or later lead to revivalism is “to promise that the Bible will be taught as a secular text”.

On the other hand, “…that’s like studying the justice system and bracketing the question of justice. (How do you take something seriously by putting it on the shelf?)”

“…The truth claims of a religion — at least of religions like Christianity, Judaism and Islam — are not incidental to its identity; they are its identity.” (note that there is no reference to Hinduism)
…

“Of course, the “one true God” stuff is what the secular project runs away from, or “brackets.” It counsels respect for all religions and calls upon us to celebrate their diversity. But religion’s truth claims don’t want your respect. They want your belief and, finally, your soul. They are jealous claims. Thou shalt have no other God before me.”

This is where (to me, at least) Hinduism appeals begins to become pretty apparent.

Not only does Hinduism makes no demand of your belief in one true god (see Hinduism is NOT Monotheism in disguise) it does not demand your soul either…

Isnt that reason enough to actively promote its teaching in our schools?

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* This article is written against the backdrop of the controversy surrounding the teaching of The Bible in US. See also this recent TIME magazine cover story: “The Case for Teaching  The Bible” whicg Prof. Fish refers in his essay.