Tag: Religion

Swamiji’s correspondence~II

Swami Vivekananda compares ‘truth to a corrosive substance of infinite power‘ which ‘burns its way in wherever it falls‘. He says, ‘Fear is the greatest sin my religion teaches. Sister, the way is long, the time is short, evening is approaching. I have to go home soon. I have no time to give my manners a finish.‘ A believer in Christian Science, Mary had no difficulty to perpetuate a free and facile communication with Vivekananda ~ a protagonist of the Vedanta ~ and prolifically so. Gems of wisdom are studded all over the letters of Swami Vivekananda to her.

December 15, 2018

Flirting with religion-based parties

Religion-based parties have a canny method of making political space for themselves and becoming a part of the mainstream political system eventually. This has been the trend since the germination of religion-based groups in the Middle East with political aspirations, in the early 20th century following the end of the caliphate. The idea was transmitted …

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November 16, 2018

BJP misleading people in name of religion: Mamata Banerjee

Referring to the National Register of Citizens in Assam, the Trinamool supremo claimed the BJP was trying to drive away Bengalis from Assam while doing the same with the people of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in Gujarat.

November 12, 2018

Piety and Heresy

A palpably singular interpretation of history has been encapsulated by some scholars in the averment that mankind has progressed through heresy, not piety. Actually, the import of this perception lies in the ubiquitous process of dialectical movement propelled by the forces of thesis, antithesis and synthesis. Now, let us have a look at etymology. Heresy …

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September 10, 2018

Economics and Religion

It is unfortunate both for Pakistan and its economy that the Imran Khan government has buckled at the threshold to the resonant rumblings and the ramped up pressure of the orthodox segment. It thus comes about that at a direly critical juncture ~ when the new establishment contends with a stuttering economy ~ the aggressive …

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September 9, 2018

Devdutt Pattanaik hails SC verdict, cautions against ‘loveless marriages’

"The worst thing in Indian society is that people are forced into loveless marriages, which ruins not just one life but also the lives of spouse and children because they live their entire life with those they are not attracted to," the 47-year-old maintained.

September 7, 2018

Those dividing nation on religious terms are not its well-wishers: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday urged people to love and respect fellow Indians for the nation’s development, saying those dividing the country on religious grounds are not its well-wishers. “People are made to fight in the name of religion. One religion is instigated against another. The nation is our mother and we are …

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August 15, 2018

Tagore on Religion~II

In his discourse on religion, Tagore repeatedly asserts the deep personal bonding with the Almighty. This sacred communion manifests itself in the absolute identification of the atma, the transcendence of ‘the utmost bounds of his humanity and find himself in a pure state of consciousness of his undivided unity with Parabrahman’. In the words of …

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August 4, 2018

Tagore on Religion~I

‘For it is evident that my religion is a poet’s religion, and neither that of an orthodox man of piety nor that of a theologian. Its touch comes to me through the unseen and trackless channel as does the inspiration of my songs. My religious life has followed the same mysterious line of growth as …

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August 3, 2018

Education should not be religion based: Dalai Lama

Dalai Lama said the education system in the world should be based on common sense and scientific knowledge and not on religion.

July 2, 2018

Jai Ram concerned over decreasing interest of people in religion

Chief Minister, Jai Ram Thakur on Friday said the decreasing interest of people in religion is a matter of concern and spiritual gurus should come forward with selfless spirit to spread religion and values in the society. “We are leaving behind our traditions and culture somewhere and pushing our life into the clutches of materialism, …

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June 15, 2018

Heresy and Democracy

The world has progressed through heresy, not piety. Piety, in most cases, involves no more than blind faith. Blind faith breeds intolerance and inhumanity. Literally, blind faith is faith that makes people blind. The profiteers of religion and politics find it irresistible to take advantage of it. Consider this significant anomaly of our times. Modernity …

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May 24, 2018

Religion of Joy

To recall Rabindranath Tagore today ~ his birthday ~ is to step into the world of joy, indeed a world of endless curiosity and wonder that imparts a unique sensitivity to the inner vision of excellence and the quest for the beyond. He endears joy not as a catalyst to influence imagination, but as a …

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May 9, 2018

Prayers or penance?

Religious fervour can often appear ridiculous as devotees choose various means to show their faith. An acquaintance narrated how he was shocked at the extent people can go in the name of religion. A free-lancer, doing copy-editing and proof-reading for a few organisations, the person regularly delivered the final proofs to a young lady employee …

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April 1, 2018

Ambivalence about adultery

Legal provisions on adultery must be reformed and placed on a rational basis, says A K Ghosh.

March 28, 2018

‘Music has no language or religion’

Nizami Bandhu, a renowned Qawwali group with a 700- year-old rich legacy, is headed by Chand Nizami and accompanied by his two nephews, Shadab Faridi Nizami and Sohrab Faridi Nizami, who are also fondly called as Nizami Brothers. They hail from the legendary Sikandra Gharana. In an e-mail interaction with Nivedita R, the Nizami Brothers …

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March 2, 2018

Fight against terror not against any religion: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jordan King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein on Thursday expressed their firm resolve to combat terrorism and radicalization as their two countries signed a dozen agreements, including one for cooperation in the key area of defence. The fight against terrorism was not against any religion but against a mindset that …

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March 2, 2018