Beware those who say they alone know, who exclude

Nov 28, 2022 Letters

Dear Editor,

I have seen pride, arrogance and meanness in religious people, and kindness and humility in non-religious people. That’s why I look beyond the garb. I want to know what’s in the human heart. There’s always the temptation for religious people to think that they are above others because of their religiosity. And there’s always the temptation for non-religious people to mock and demean any expression of religious sentiment and make jokes and poke fun at matters that are sacred.

It does not mean that people on both sides of the spectrum necessarily succumb to the temptation. Nevertheless, it’s an innate human weakness that we all have to overcome. But we all expect religious individuals, particularly religious leaders, to demonstrate greater empathy, understanding, consideration, humility, kindness, and humanity in their interactions with others. Perhaps you have also witnessed certain unsavory occurrences that have disappointed you. Think of that pandit who embarrassed a young mother because her child cried during his Katha or that other big pandit who severely reprimanded a man who committed the offence of taking a bottle of water to his wife and thereby impeded the smooth flow of the Katha. Think of that “Maha Guru” who rides on fancy bikes, and who is adored by the gullible millions in India and elsewhere. When a brave young college girl questioned him on an important issue relating to environmentally protected corridors for tribal peoples and elephants in India, he became furious and threatened that he could sue her a hundred times and make her life a veritable hell. It’s the classical case of using FEAR and INTIMIDATION to suppress free thinking.

Should not religious life and spiritual pursuits make us more human and humane, more caring, more compassionate, more giving of ourselves to others? How many of those who lecture from that elevated seat ever do enquire about the worries and concerns of the congregation? How many pandits, pastors and televangelists do really care about the trials and tribulations of the members of the congregation? How many of our religious and intellectual leaders have ever consoled a homeless person, or a heart-broken mother? What is our religious life if we cannot greet with a big smile a fellow human whom we have never met?

One of the most awkward situations is when I am in a discussion with a religious person, and when that person says again and again that this is what the ‘Book’ says. This brings the discussion to a finality, and there’s no longer any room for questioning and INDEPENDENT THINKING. All of the great religious texts are written in rich poetic language. They cannot be interpreted literally. No religious text or spiritual master would ask that we set aside our ability to question, to reason and to think independently. Of course, there are realms where even the sharpest of intellect and reasoning cannot just penetrate. But we have to use our reason and ability to think as far as possible along this beautiful journey of self-actualization, self-discovery or self-realization.

Our world may be very small, and we may have so little to give. Yet, there should be a place for EVERYONE. The basic premise of fundamentalist philosophies is the EXCLUSION of others. And when we exclude others, we exclude a part of the Universe too. And I am very wary of those who say that they alone know the way, and that they alone know the process. The truth is that we all know so, so, so very little.

Yours faithfully,
Haimnauth Cecil Ramkirath

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