Thursday, June 14, 2012

Unholy philosophy.


Socrates was condemned to death in Athens in the spring of 399 BC for failing to worship the city’s gods and corrupting the youth with his atheistic views. Before leaving for court he prepares to drink a cup of hemlock with his woe begone friends. In court he was given a chance to renounce his philosophy and join the believers. He responded with his legendary equanimity – that he would rather stick with what he thought was true rather than follow the herd with their popular beliefs. French philosopher Voltaire stated that atheism is fine for the masses hence he never thrust his beliefs on his servants. Spiritual columnist Mukul Sharma without committing very cleverly & succinctly states that both Historian Edward Gibbons and Author Alain de Botton though atheists feel that religious doctrines could sometimes be socially useful for the masses. For me having been brought up on a fare of Grimm’s fairy tales and Greek mythology the religious books and other voluminous body of narratives have a lot of inspiring philosophies and stories. I endorse Botton’s view that although the supernatural claims are completely false, it is better to plagiaries religion to convey important thoughts rather than mock the narratives. I am careful to distance myself from both the fanatic religious and staunchly atheistic groups who are intent on ripping each other’s throats continuously, while the agnostics duck and watch the fun from the sidelines. Their philosophy of discretion being the better part of valour, is commendable yet I still dont allow believers to stand in the way of expressing my strong opinions and viewpoints. Blasphemy and sacrilege cannot achieve much but plagiarism of the essence is the better part of philosophical writing to create my own narrative around these doctrines. The huge bodies of religion have a lot of wonderful insights which are incomprehensible to the blind believer and fanatic. So instead of overly reacting to their moral doctrines, I try to hoist them with their own religious petard. -Vinay-

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