The great Austrian philosopher Wittgenstein said in one of his works that although it is true that all the religious beliefs are not reasonable ,yet it is not unreasonable to have them.What are your thoughts?
There are some beliefs that are not reasonable but as long as they are detrimental and harmful in any way to yourself, your family or the society, it is okay to believe in them,.... but if again if they are not reasonable and not relevant at all, why do we need to have such beliefs? in that case we really need to do some introspection and do away with such beliefs!
Yes Chinmoy, for instance the sheer number and variety of different rituals that are being performed by people is mind boggling!! Just because they are supposed to be a part of our tradition, people keep performing them although they have no meaning or relevance! For instance marriage ceremonies, there are people who would choose to go in debts but will nevertheless spend lavishly on them because its a tradition!! I think that's a useless and pitiful waste. why not instead have a civil marriage?
I think in one of the topics the issue was discussed and remember having commented negatively on the practice of spending money like water in our marriage ceremonies.Even if a part of it is kept as an investment that can take care the financial emergencies of many a family.
There are many beliefs which are certainly unreasonable, and if we know that they are unreasonable and there is absolutely no need in following them then we should stop believing in them.
There is no need of believing in what you don't find any reason for it.
But we are many a times rather most of the times are forced to follow religion activities which are useless just because of this society.
These are not practical but what I think about religion.
It is okay to have beliefs connected with religion. It is bad to adhere to these blindly. It is worst to dehumanize by religious practices as Sati, Dowri, sacrifice of life before deity etc.
Sadly, under the gab of religion and faith, one still hears news about small children being sacrificed to deities to find gupta dhan and their are still women being burnt alive who are accused of being witches!! :(
That is indeed a sad commentary on the state of affairs of our country.We have to tear off this garb.Whatever passes for religion involving such medieval practices needs to be given a burial.All the social and religious reformers have tried their best with limited success.
Our great reformers like Swami Vivekanand,Daynand.Social reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy,Vidyasagar and others tirelessly worked to rid the society of these pseudo religious practices.We must listen to their voice of reason.
I agree with all the views. I think injuring other people in the name of religious belief, definetely shouldnt be followed. Children are sacrified in some rural areas to get money or immortality etc. is this what any religion says to injure other for your own profit?
TO my knowledge in any religion such thinks are not teached, if such rituals or beliefs there it should be stopped.
Chinmoy- You said all the religions in their true and purer forms never allow this barbarism in the name of religion.
I view that there is no barbarism as such in any religion. Barbarism is in human mind. Ignorance, superstition and greed lead to barbarism. For example, many sacrifice humans or animals at the altar of deity to satisfy their greed of getting a child or money or treasure or any material thing, out of superstitious belief and ignorance. Thus greed, ignorance and cruelty are all combined. The dowry system is also based on greed. Greed and superstition lead to cruelty. That is why there are dowry deaths.
Religion is said to be spiritual. But I fail to understand what sort of spirituality lies in demanding wealth, children and money from deity. This is worst sort of selfish materialism in garb of religion.
Our objections should be the brutal practices which are propagated in the name of religion and my views should be construed accordingly.Let us not take the chaff as the religion by discarding the grain!!
