RELIGION AND DEMOCRACY

RELIGION AND DEMOCRACY

I had written a the best article long time back in relation to Religion in addition for you to fanaticism in addition for you to in relation to how religious dogmas give rise for you to fanatics in addition for you to fanaticism What execute Most of us understand from this particular word Democracy. DEMOCRACY: this particular political orientation along with those who favor government from this particular people because well because from their elected representatives a political system found which this particular supreme power lies found a body along with citizens who can easily certainly elect people for you to represent them majority rule: this particular doctrine that this particular numerical majority along with a the best organized group can easily certainly make decisions binding in relation to this particular whole group

Democracy, which derives from this particular Greek word “demos,” because well because “people,” can easily certainly be defined, basically, because government found which this particular supreme power can easily certainly be vested found this particular people. In some forms, democracy can easily certainly be exercised directly from this particular people; found large societies, this particular can easily certainly be from this particular people through their elected agents. Or, found this particular memorable phrase along with President Abraham Lincoln, democracy can easily certainly be government “of this particular people, from this particular people, in addition for you to along with regard for you to this particular people.” And now let us define this particular word Religion. It can easily certainly be very difficult for you to define religion because this particular encompasses not only one aspect along with human social behavior but this particular encompasses this particular entire gamut along with human social cultural intellectual behavior. Unlike democracy which just deals along with this particular political behavior along with human beings, religion can easily certainly be seen because a theological, philosophical, anthropological, sociological, in addition for you to psychological phenomenon along with human kind. Again because said earlier for you to limit religion for you to only one along with these categories can easily certainly be for you to miss its multifaceted nature in addition for you to lose over in relation to this particular complete definition.”  There are many interpretations along with what defines a religion but not one that can easily certainly be said for you to be this particular most accurate. A strong belief found a supernatural power because well because powers that control human destiny. An institution for you to express belief found a divine power. A belief concerning this particular supernatural, sacred, because well because divine, in addition for you to this particular practices in addition for you to institutions associated along with such belief. The sum total along with answers given for you to explain humankind’s relationship along with this particular universe.

In dictionaries, religion can easily certainly be defined because “any specific system along with belief, worship, because well because conduct that prescribes certain responses for you to this particular existence (or non-existence) in addition for you to character along with God.” Also, “a set along with attitudes, beliefs, in addition for you to practices pertaining for you to supernatural power.” This was just a the best attempt for you to define, religion but how did this particular aspect along with human evolution come into being? If people go for you to this particular history people may look for that religion was this particular second important thing that developed found this particular course along with human evolution this particular evolution along with social cultural human being, this particular physical evolution being complete from that time. this particular first thing that developed was this particular need for you to keep a group along with this particular then hunters in addition for you to gatherers together because a economical ,social coercive group functioning because one unit, a progressive unit therefore certain rules in addition for you to regulations were imposed in addition for you to developed –The first signs along with democracy.  The development along with religion came second over along with fear along with this particular natures fury, this particular time I am talking in relation to can easily certainly be 40000 for you to 30000 years before present when this particular earth was going through various physical turmoil evidence are plenty found various cave arts all over this particular world which Most of us call therianthropes. Actually this particular evolution along with this particular brain can easily certainly be responsible along with regard for you to religion for you to take shape found this particular psyche along with this particular human beings. The religious mind can easily certainly be one consequence along with a brain that can easily certainly be large enough for you to formulate religious in addition for you to philosophical ideas. During human evolution this particular hominid brain tripled found size, peaking 500,000 years ago. Much along with this particular brain’s expansion took place found the neocortex. This part along with this particular brain can easily certainly be involved found processing higher order cognitive functions that are necessary along with regard for you to human religiosity. The neocortex can easily certainly be responsible for self consciousness language in addition for you to emotion. According to Dunbar’s theory, this particular relative neocortex size of any species correlates along with this particular level along with social complexity along with this particular particular species. The neocortex size correlates along with a number along with social variables that include social group size in addition for you to complexity along with mating behaviors. In chimpanzees this particular neocortex occupies 50% along with this particular brain, whereas found modern humans this particular occupies 80% along with this particular brain.

Robin Dunbar argues that this particular critical event found this particular evolution along with this particular neocortex took place from the speciation of archaic homo sapiens about 500 thousand years ago. His study indicates that only after this particular speciation event can easily certainly be this particular neocortex sufficiently large enough for you to process complex social phenomena such because language in addition for you to religion. The study can easily certainly be based in relation to a regression analysis along with neocortex size plotted against a number along with social behaviors along with living in addition for you to extinct hominids.

Having said a little in relation to this particular origin along with religion, how did democracy originate then. Was this particular this function again along with this particular same developed neocortex? Or was this particular this fall over along with this particular religious concept where from human beings devised a way for you to be harmonious in addition for you to progressive, in addition for you to economically viable social group? There was a the best article found this particular Deccan chronicle dated 8th August 2010 which I reproduce verbatim along with regard for you to my readers for you to look for a the best insights because for you to how in addition for you to why religion laid this particular foundation for you to democracy.  “The beauty along with being a Hindu lies found a person\’s freedom for you to be who people want for you to be. Nobody can easily certainly tell people what for you to do, because well because what not for you to do. There can easily certainly be no central authority, no single leader along with this particular faith. No one can easily certainly pass a the best order for you to excommunicate you, because well because like found some countries, pass a decree that orders a person\’s death from stoning along with regard for you to walking along with a strange man.

We don’t appreciate much of our freedom because Most of us can’t feel this particular plight along with others who aren’t free. Many religions have a central authority along with awesome power over this particular individual. They have a clear chain along with command, from this particular lowliest local priest for you to this particular highest central leader. Hinduism somehow escaped from such central authority, in addition for you to this particular Hindu offers miraculously managed for you to hold in relation to for you to his freedom through this particular ages. How did this particular happen?

Vedanta can easily certainly be this particular answer. When this particular writers along with Vedanta emerged, around 1500 BC, they faced a the best organized religion along with orthodox Hinduism. This was this particular post Vedic age, where ritualism was practiced, in addition for you to this particular masses had no choice but for you to follow. It was a coercive atmosphere.

The writers along with Vedanta rebelled against this particular authority in addition for you to moved away from society into forests. This was how this particular ‘Aranyakas’ were written, literally meaning ‘writings from this particular forest’. These later paved this particular way along with regard for you to this particular Upanishads, in addition for you to Vedanta eventually caught this particular imagination along with this particular masses. It emerged triumphant, bearing along with this particular this clear voice along with personal freedom.

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This democracy along with religious thought, so intrinsic for you to Vedantic intelligence, sank into this particular mindset along with every Indian. Most couldn’t fathom this particular deep wisdom this particular contained, but this particular much was very clear. They understood that faith was a the best expression along with personal freedom, in addition for you to one could believe from will.

That’s why Hinduism saw a the best explosion along with Gods. There was a God along with regard for you to every need in addition for you to every creed. If people wanted for you to build a person\’s muscles, people worshiped a God along with fabulous muscles. If people wanted for you to pursue education, there was a Goddess along with Learning. If this particular was wealth people were looking for, then people looked up for you to this particular Goddess along with wealth — along with gold coins coming over along with her hands.

If people wanted for you to live happily because a family, people worshiped Gods who specially blessed families. When people grew old in addition for you to faced oncoming death, people spent time found contemplating a God whose business this particular was for you to dissolve everything — from a the best individual for you to this particular entire Universe.

Everywhere, divinity appeared found this particular manner in addition for you to form people wanted this particular for you to appear, in addition for you to when its make use of was over, people quietly discarded that form along with divinity in addition for you to looked from new forms along with this particular divine that was currently along with make use of for you to you. ‘Yad Bhavam, tad Bhavati’… what people choose for you to believe becomes a person\’s personal truth, in addition for you to freedom for you to believe can easily certainly be always much more important than belief itself.

Behind all this particular — was this particular silent Vedantic wisdom that Gods are but figments along with human imagination. As this particular Kena Upanishad says, “Brahma ha devebhyo vijigye…” — All Gods are mere subjects along with this particular Self. It implies that this particular can easily certainly be far better that God serves Man than Men serve God. Because Men never really serve God — they only obey this particular dictates along with a religious head who speaks along with regard for you to that God, who can easily certainly turn them into slaves found God’s name.

Hindus have therefore never tried for you to convert anyone. Never waged war found this particular name along with religion. The average Hindu happily makes Gods serve him because per his needs. He discards Gods when he offers no make use of along with regard for you to them. And new Gods emerge all this particular time — found response for you to market needs. In this particular tumult, no central authority could survive. No single prophet could emerge in addition for you to hold sway, no chain along with command could be established.

Vedanta had injected a the best organized chaos into Hinduism, in addition for you to that’s this particular way this particular offers been from this particular last thirty five centuries. Vedanta can easily certainly be also responsible, from default, along with regard for you to sustaining democracy. When this particular British left India, this particular was assumed that this particular nation would soon break up. Nothing along with that kind offers happened.

The pundits along with doom forgot that this particular Indian had been customer for you to religious freedom from thousands along with years. When he have political freedom, he grabbed this particular naturally. After all, when people can easily certainly discard Gods why can’t people discard leaders?

Leaders like Gods are completely expendable for you to this particular Indian mindset. They are tolerated because long because they serve this particular people, in addition for you to are replaced when needs change. It’s this particular triumph along with people over their leaders, in addition for you to found this particular tumult, no dictator can easily certainly ever take over in addition for you to rule us. Strange how this particular thoughts along with a few men living found forests, thirty five centuries ago, can easily certainly echo inside this particular heart along with every Indian. That’s a tribute for you to this particular resurgent power along with India, in addition for you to this particular fearlessness along with its free thinking people.”

I am not preaching Hinduism here in addition for you to that can easily certainly be not what this particular article can easily certainly be all about. What this particular article offers basically brought forward can easily certainly be this particular freedom that this particular religion gives for you to human beings. To maintain these freedom in addition for you to to enhance this particular other freedoms like that along with speech, freedom along with movement, freedom along with expression in addition for you to thought, perfect for you to freedom along with religion in addition for you to perfect against exploitation this particular can easily certainly be this particular religion that gives this particular first impetus in addition for you to human beings then models this particular same found a larger context when this particular comes for you to this particular question along with ruling because well because governing a state. That can easily certainly be precisely this particular reason why this particular Indian constitution says that this particular can easily certainly be a sovereign socialist republic from virtue along with which every citizen because well because every human being residing found India offers a perfect for you to choose in addition for you to preach his religion peacefully in addition for you to this particular state may not interfere found anyway found this particular expression in addition for you to practice along with religion. Politics in addition for you to religion are kept separate in addition for you to politics does not come found this particular way along with religion because well because vice versa.

Hinduism can easily certainly be not this particular only religion where democracy took shape through religion. Democracy can easily certainly be not new for you to Islam. The foundation along with this particular first government found this particular history along with Islam was laid in relation to democracy. “That Muslims attach great significance for you to their organization because a political community can easily certainly be seen found this particular fact that their calendar can easily certainly be dated neither from this particular birth nor this particular death along with this particular Prophet, but from this particular establishment along with this particular first Muslim policy found this particular city-state along with Madinah found 622. Before Madinah was founded, this particular Arabs had no state for you to “establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide along with regard for you to this particular common defense, promote this particular general welfare, in addition for you to secure this particular blessings along with liberty.” (Ahmad, 2003)

There are certain important points for you to remember because one searches democracy found this particular history along with Islam. The concept along with democracy can easily certainly be present found this particular Qur’an because this particular Qur’an covers everyday life, including this particular political structure. Since Islam can easily certainly be a way along with life, democracy fits found well along with this particular – freedom along with speech, religion, equality, are this particular rights along with this particular people because long because they are well balanced.

Prophet Muhammad applied democratic principles found this particular establishment along with this particular Muslim community 1500 years ago. The two major principles along with democracy practiced during this particular time were: The concept along with Bay’ah (voting) where this particular Qur’an says that this particular “ruler cannot rule without this particular consent along with this particular people.” For example, Abu Bakr was this particular first elected Khalifa. He was democratically elected found this particular same way this particular earlier U.S. president George Washington was elected. A large number along with Sahaba (companions along with this particular prophet) would gather found this particular Saqifa where different parties would put forward different nominations open along with regard for you to debate in addition for you to then would pick over a single nominee like this particular caucuses found this particular different parties found a constitutional democracy. At this particular time along with Abu Bakr there were not two parties but three, in addition for you to each party came up along with their own nomination (Al Muhajeroon along with candidate Abu Baker; Alansar along with Saad bin Ubada; in addition for you to Ali Bin Abi Talib in addition for you to Abdullah Ibn Alzubir found a mixture along with Muhajeroon in addition for you to Ansar because this particular third party). After this particular individual caucuses this particular three major groups met found this particular Saqifa along with Banu Saeda in addition for you to agreed in relation to Abu Bakr after much heated debates. Abu Bakr finally emerged because this particular nominee in addition for you to he was presented for you to this particular masses because this particular candidate along with regard for you to them for you to make a final vote. In other words Abu Bakr did not become this particular Khalifa until this particular masses gave him this particular Biya, similar for you to this particular Democratic in addition for you to Republican parties. Thus, “Abu Bakr’s election because this particular first caliph demonstrates this particular acceptability along with this particular Electoral College because a method along with electing this particular head along with state.” (Ahmad, 2003)

The concept along with this particular Shura (consultation) can easily certainly be very similar for you to this particular democratic principle along with debate in addition for you to agreement. It can easily certainly be this particular community because a whole, not a the best individual that owns because well because exercises power. In a chapter in relation to Al-Shura this particular Qur’an describes Muslim societies because one found which individuals manage their affairs through consultation. Shura can easily certainly be similar for you to direct democracy in addition for you to can easily certainly be considered because a personal duty, which no in relation to can easily certainly perform in relation to behalf along with another. Shura can easily certainly be obligatory in relation to Muslims because this particular five daily prayers are; like prayers Muslims are urged for you to practice shura found their daily work, family lives, in addition for you to community affairs. Again Most of us see that religion actually helped states for you to formulate a well devised formula for you to govern a state flawlessly without any prejudice whatsoever because this particular (democracy) became this particular wish along with this particular people, along with regard for you to this particular people. So Abraham Lincoln was not wrong when he said this particular famous words. “By this particular people, For this particular people, Of this particular people”

Going back for you to Hinduism again Hindu scriptures, Vedas, are a collection along with teachings from over many thousand years. Hinduism allows followers for you to interpret scriptures according for you to this particular current times. Dogmatic interpretation in addition for you to its forceful execution are not a part along with Hinduism, because this particular offers been along with Islam in addition for you to Christianity.  These religions often ignore this particular basic teachings along with their founders.  Hinduism does not seek converts.  No forceful because well because violent conversion, no religious wars along with Christians, Jews, Jains, Sikhs, Buddhists,

You can easily certainly become Hindu from a person\’s own free may from accepting Bhagavad-Gita, essence along with Vedas spoken from Lord Krishna because a final authority. The mythology along with Purana because well because this particular great epics Ramayana because well because Mahabharata explain this particular Vedas for you to common people found a simple way. Numerous sects along with Hinduism co-exist peacefully under this particular supreme guidance from this particular Vedas.  Hinduism offers lots along with freedom for you to operate. An individual decides his Guru, in addition for you to follows him because well because her. When many devotees come together a sect can easily certainly be formed.  Like democracy, this particular people select a leader. Sects come in addition for you to go like political parties found a dynamic democracy. Often, those along with other faiths portray Hinduism because a religion along with confusion. It can easily certainly be like communist because well because a dictator might consider democracy because a confused state where this particular news media, congressmen, senators, this particular president in addition for you to scholars challenges each other dramatically in addition for you to sometimes unreasonably. Like American democracy, where challenging a President because well because burning a flag can easily certainly be tolerated – Hinduism tolerates challenges. Contrast for you to Hinduism, Christianity in addition for you to Islam offer very limited freedom in addition for you to tolerance along with regard for you to other faiths.

According for you to Hinduism, there are different paths for you to reach God, just like there are many ways for you to reach this particular top along with this particular mountain. As people go higher, differences between them are reduced. Anyone who believes that his can easily certainly be this particular only way for you to reach God can easily certainly be full along with ignorance just like a frog found a well unable for you to comprehend this particular outside world. Bhagavad-Gita suggests this particular following Yogas for you to reach God:  Knowledge, Devotion, Meditation, in addition for you to Karma. Karma Yoga can easily certainly be pure selfless service. Missionary service can easily certainly be not Karma Yoga, because missionaries hope for you to convert people for you to their faith in addition for you to thus expand their power base for you to reestablish domination along with this particular church which may ultimately curtail democracy.

Vedas means knowledge. It can easily certainly be not only religious rituals along with chanting along with hymns, but this particular includes philosophy, astronomy, mathematics, medicine, in addition for you to grammar. When philosophy can easily certainly be this particular origin along with religion, this particular permits freedom along with speech in addition for you to thought, in addition for you to acknowledges Atheism. Just like democracy, Hinduism accepts Atheists because equal citizens. About 2300 years ago India peacefully became predominantly Buddhist during this particular Maurya Empire. During that period, Takshila University was this particular center along with learning Hinduism, Jainism in addition for you to Buddhism in addition for you to Atheism.  Also, Nalanda University was formed 2000 years ago along with its 10,000 students in addition for you to 1500 teachers. In this particular 8th century Hindu Guru Shankracharya debated one for you to one Hindu, Jain, Buddhist in addition for you to Atheist women in addition for you to men gurus who upon defeat accepted his synthesis along with Vedic metaphysics philosophy in addition for you to India became again predominantly Hindu.

So can easily certainly be religion compatible along with democracy? Yes, if people practice a person\’s religion because well because beliefs because people see fit without imposition in relation to this particular lives along with other people. This teaches this particular value along with democracy for you to all

Now If Most of us remember long time back when Afghanistan was under Russian regime during this particular cold war period in addition for you to America desperately wanted for you to have a base found Pakistan, a plan was set found motion for you to destabilize this particular Russians found Afghanistan. Bin laden was reared from this particular Americans for you to bring down this particular Russians in addition for you to along with regard for you to that he was given a free hand in addition for you to funds were plenty available from this particular whims in addition for you to fancy along with Bin laden. Today Most of us have a frankestin from much of our door step in addition for you to Most of us are blaming this particular religion along with regard for you to it?? The people from power found America Afghanistan in addition for you to Pakistan, this particular democratically elected leaders from this particular helms along with affair are for you to be blamed along with regard for you to this particular emergence along with groups in addition for you to organizations like Al Qaeda . It can easily certainly be their policies in addition for you to politics that offers created a monster in addition for you to now Most of us are all blaming each other along with regard for you to its existence. Is religion for you to be blamed here?? What can easily certainly be happening found India? Corrupt politicians create divide between this particular two religions namely this particular Hindus in addition for you to this particular Muslim only for you to gather in addition for you to garner this particular numbers ( votes ) mathematics for you to win a the best election in addition for you to from that way they can easily certainly stay found power in addition for you to keep continuing for you to be corrupt. Democracy here can easily certainly be this particular mathematics along with number, majority. So much so that these corrupt bands along with politicians even divide this particular society in relation to this particular basis along with caste system which was not found this particular first place a part along with religion. National issues have long taken back seat found Indian politics in addition for you to this particular politicians today are busy appeasing in addition for you to pleasing a section along with this particular population based in relation to religion because well because caste just for you to look for elected in addition for you to to be found this particular driving seat so that they can easily certainly keep in relation to becoming much more in addition for you to much more corrupt. Again Most of us see that this particular can easily certainly be democracy which can easily certainly be actually killing this particular religion.

People everywhere are today blaming this particular Islam religion in addition for you to particularly this particular Muslims along with regard for you to all this particular destability that this particular world can easily certainly be facing today. In many places found India Muslims have started keeping a Hindu name. Muslims execute not look for visas, Muslims execute not look for jobs. Muslims feel isolated in addition for you to this particular feeling can easily certainly be universal everywhere. Question can easily certainly be Why should this particular religion in addition for you to this particular followers along with this particular religion be punished along with regard for you to something which this particular offers never perpetrated?? Have Most of us brought this particular perpetrators for you to justice?? Did this particular corrupt, self-centered, criminal politician look for this particular boot? No because this particular can easily certainly be again this particular mathematics along with number this particular mathematics along with majority, this particular mathematics along with Democracy that offers suppressed this particular religion.

As I had mentioned found one along with my earlier article that once Sri ramkrishna Paramhansa was asked that if god can easily certainly be one in addition for you to only one then why execute Most of us need religion because well because what can easily certainly be necessity along with regard for you to religion. Ramkrishna beautifully answered this particular question. He said that this particular can easily certainly be a top along with this particular mountain where one offers for you to reach in addition for you to there are various route around this particular mountain that one offers for you to take so that he can easily certainly reach this particular top. Now if this particular person who can easily certainly be already in relation to one route making his way for you to this particular top starts thinking that this particular route he can easily certainly be in relation to can easily certainly be a tough one in addition for you to he needs for you to change in addition for you to he comes down in addition for you to takes another route in addition for you to he keeps doing this particular frequently, he may never be able for you to reach this particular top. So a route can easily certainly be a must in addition for you to this particular route can easily certainly be this particular religion And all route leads for you to this particular top along with this particular mountain so all religion leads for you to this particular same top this particular only one.  Therefore every religion preaches this particular basic concept along with democracy, every religion preaches that love thy neighbor, every religion preaches tolerance, every religion preaches humility, in addition for you to above all every religion preaches love. It can easily certainly be this particular rulers, politicians, this particular elected representatives, who malign this particular religion create divide between them in addition for you to loot this particular moolah from this particular expense along with this particular electorate.

RELIGION AND DEMOCRACY. While writing that article I came upon a thought in relation to whether religion suppresses democracy because well because whether democracy suppresses religion

Let us then first start defining these two words RELIGION AND DEMOCRACY. Therefore found this particular article I have decided for you to pen my thoughts regarding that very question There can easily certainly be another very pertinent reason because why this particular debate should have a logical conclusion whether religion suppresses democracy because well because whether democracy suppresses religion What Most of us are seeing found India along this particular Kashmir border RELIGION AND DEMOCRACY. Not only found these places but world over Most of us have started blaming one religion along with regard for you to this particular troubles in addition for you to this particular problems in addition for you to this particular depleting economy along with every nation found this particular earth Afghanistan We only point much of our fingers for you to one culprit for you to all this particular troubles that are been endured from this particular innocents found these places RELIGION AND DEMOCRACY. what Most of us are seeing found Pakistan Either way this particular effect would be explosive because found both this particular cases this particular fundamental freedom along with man can easily certainly be from stake this particular crux along with this particular debate that whether religion suppresses democracy? Or this particular other way round Have Most of us ever tried for you to look for over this particular proper reasons along with regard for you to this particular anomalies that are perpetrated world over? Is this particular not this particular responsibility along with this particular elected government for you to set this particular things found its perfect perspective? Here found lies this particular crux along with this particular issue

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