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A common western critique of Hindus
Hindus are not "humanists". They don't value equality of all human life. Hindus view society as comprising of many human species (jAtis)
Reality
This "narrow-minded" country has seen FAR less ethnic cleansing than most parts of the West!
Hindus are not "humanists". They don't value equality of all human life. Hindus view society as comprising of many human species (jAtis)
Reality
This "narrow-minded" country has seen FAR less ethnic cleansing than most parts of the West!
It is one thing to declare -
"All men are equal"
"Hum sab allah ke bande hain" etc
Do you live up to it?
The history of the West and Middle East is one of ethnic cleansing / pogroms. Decimation of numerous cultures
"All men are equal"
"Hum sab allah ke bande hain" etc
Do you live up to it?
The history of the West and Middle East is one of ethnic cleansing / pogroms. Decimation of numerous cultures
I don't mean that as a blanket critique. There is much to learn from the West too
But clearly the history of the West is not one of continuity. But numerous discontinuities
Caused by state-sponsored violence.
But clearly the history of the West is not one of continuity. But numerous discontinuities
Caused by state-sponsored violence.
E.g. The language of Middle East today bears no connection to the tongues / scripts used in the region 2500 yrs ago
Total disconnect
We've no clue about Akkadians, Babylonians, Sumerians. Total break from the past
Unlike India which is a genuine palimpsest!
Total disconnect
We've no clue about Akkadians, Babylonians, Sumerians. Total break from the past
Unlike India which is a genuine palimpsest!
So "humanism" / "universal religions" have not preserved diversity in the West
In India, diversity is preserved to the extent that every village is a 3000 year old palimpsest
There's racial, cultural, religious, lingual diversity in every nook of this country
In India, diversity is preserved to the extent that every village is a 3000 year old palimpsest
There's racial, cultural, religious, lingual diversity in every nook of this country
The new does not erase the old
Instead it co-exists with the old. At best modifying it.
E.g. a modern Hindu may chant Purusha Suktam in the morning (1000 BCE), Alwar Pasuram in the evening (800CE), and visit a Sai temple at night (1900 CE)
Instead it co-exists with the old. At best modifying it.
E.g. a modern Hindu may chant Purusha Suktam in the morning (1000 BCE), Alwar Pasuram in the evening (800CE), and visit a Sai temple at night (1900 CE)
So there is no cultural cleansing. But preservation of every layer.
If this isn't respect for humanity, I don't know what is.
If this isn't respect for humanity, I don't know what is.
The issue with modernity (as it has developed in the West) -
It places a very high premium on what you say. Not as much on what you do.
This results in lip-service to many ideals concealing an uglier reality
It places a very high premium on what you say. Not as much on what you do.
This results in lip-service to many ideals concealing an uglier reality
It's all very well to pay lip-service to "equality" of all humans
But the outcomes reveal diversity
As different groups have different geniuses.
But the outcomes reveal diversity
As different groups have different geniuses.
