From: selvakum@watserv1.uwaterloo.ca (C.R.Selvakumar - Electrical Engineering)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.indian
Subject: Re: INDIAN CULTURE - subservient?
Keywords: Indian Culture - Religious fanatics
Date: 20 Nov 92 15:31:44 GMT
Organization: University of Waterloo

In article <1992Nov19.011212.10244@massey.ac.nz>, J.Ainikkal@massey.ac.nz (J. Ainikkal) writes:
> Mr Rohit Parikh Writes:
> 
> >I think people do not necessarily deny that the culture of our
> >last 1,000 years is inferior to our culture in the previous
> >1,500 years.  Or to the culture of the Indus Civilization which
> >was advanced for its time. However, our problem is, `what do we
> >do NOW?'.  
> 
> Good question. I am actually going to make an attempt in
> answering it. I must express my thoughts about it.
> 
> >Do we blindly imitate Western culture or do we look to our own
> >past and try to develop a way of dealing with our future which
> >combines the best of our own past and the best of what the West
> >has to offer?  
> 
> While U make the above seem very simple - I personally believe
> that it will be extremely difficult to take the best of both
> worlds and make it work. While in theory this seems to be the
> best solution - In practice it will be impossible. 
> 
> If I may, I would classify the Eastern culture (India in
> particular) as being a culture that has strived to attain
> 'happiness' spiritually. The West on the other hand has taken the
> 'Material' road. They are the dominant societies in today's
> world. The ills and evils of their society have reduced due to
> their increase in affluence.
> 
> As long as we in the East, do not attain the achievements of the
> West - there will be a good many of us who will be dissatisfied,
> not to mention - left in poverty which leads to exploitation to
> a far greater extent than in the West. 
> 
> The solution is very simple - If U see it the way I do. 
> 
> Win the game before U try to change the rules. India is still
> living and playing its silly own game. The politicians are still
> using religion and the masses are still being supressed by
> stupid, obsolete, defunct religious beliefs. Before we decide to
> stay or get truly religious we need to get affluent. We need to
> have educated masses to get rid of supression. An education that
> allows U to think for yourself.
> 
> Religion only leads to attitudes of subservience. 'I am humble -
>  and I am satisfied with what I have'- this attitude has not
> helped over the centuries. We are an overpopulated, extremely
> poor, very dissatisfied nation (Fighting for freedom is a direct
> consequence of dissatisfaction with many things).
> 
> In Malaysia, I cannot quote the exact date, a couple of decades
> ago, there was a serious problem between the chinese and the
> malay. This seems to have settled down - not because they have
> turned to religion - but because they have become more affluent.
> We need to question our basics which has lead to our culture of
> today - our religious inclination. 
> 
> Do we need religion in a land like ours today?
> 
> A culture which is deeply rooted in religion - is bound to be
> doomed in a material world. 
> 
> 
> >What does Pink Floyd say about this problem?  Sorry to be
> >facetious, but I am sure you understand the issue. 
>  
> There is no need to apologise - I will give U P. Floyds views on
> the above -
> 
> "The lunatic is in my head,
> The lunatic is in my head,
> U raise the blade,
> U make the change,
> U re-arrange me till I'am sane".
>                             P.Floyd
> 
> I suppose its time to raise the blade and make the change. I
> believe its time to get rid of the greatest evil of our
> civilization - Religion.
> 
> We do not need religion - We need a GOD.
> 
> John Ainikkal
> I think - Therefore I am.
> 'Aotearoa' - Land of the long white cloud

       I agree with most of what Ainikkal says. As J.Krishnamurthy 
       often used to say : Religion divides. In the olden days people
       had a neccessity for a religion for social and spiritual purposes
       which is no longer needed now. Religion should become purely
       spiritual and PRIVATE and might be needed only for the deeply
       seeking individuals. What we see often is - religion is used as
       a polarizing agent and used politically by fundementalist organizations.
       Religion is about love and wisdom and harmony but in the hands of
       political forces it becomes just the opposite hate, uncritical
       thinking and discord. We need good morals ( it has nothing to do
       with religion), great resourcefulness, good ethics, a genuine
       drive for ambitious achievements, a spirit of cooperation
       and sharing and contribution to community well-being....
       [ these can be achieved without religion and sadly lacking..]

       What is the point in TALKING philosophy, praying to God 
       putting or wearing prominent religious marks etc. and getting and paying
       bribes and mostly practising blatant dishonesty ? 
 
       Not all need religion today, but all need good morals and ethics.
       Belief in God is fine but in the name God so much fraud is going on
       in every religion there is ! I think a part of the reason for
       our 'cultural' decline is because of split pursuits ( philosophy-god
       on the one hand and bribe-dishonesty-racism on the other for example).

       Regards
       Selva Selvakumar
Newsgroups: soc.culture.indian