Healthy consciousness means the consciousness which accepts ethical values from religion and power of reasoning from science and works for human equality, welfare, growth and sustainability.
Scientific reasoning denies religious beliefs and advocates skepticism. But its effect is seen only in a small section of the society and majority of population considers religion as essential self identifier and social bonding force. Hence, religion shall remain to be the main influencing factor for consciousness.
Religious extremism is born through superiority ego about the religion, feeling of suppression from other religious groups or lust for power. Human history is full of many violent battles between followers of different religions with innumerable loss of life, destruction of religious monuments, brutality and forced conversions and transfer of power centres.
In fact, origin of many religions can be traced to the modifications in ideologies and methods of rituals based on progress of human understanding. Sustainable growth, welfare and sustainability of human race can be achieved only if religion is considered as personal preferred choice rather than social compulsion.
This however, requires thorough change in role of religion to give more importance to ethical values and limiting scope of rituals and specific code of conduct to individuals rather than social group. Religion also should keep its knowledge store modifiable in the light of new science revelations about universe and natural laws.
Science and Technology increases capacity, strength and capability of individual or society by providing technical knowhow, tools and products. However, mere scientific reasoning and development of technology cannot help in establishing ethical values and hence are unable to create emotional active force at community level.
On the other hand science without concern to human values may create situations that endanger survival of human race (War with nuclear weapons or over exploitation of natural resources) or can lead to global dictatorship as described in novels ‘New Brave World ‘ by Aldus Huxley and ‘Ninteen Eighty Four’.by George Orwel. We shall discuss about these books in next blog.
Scientific reasoning denies religious beliefs and advocates skepticism. But its effect is seen only in a small section of the society and majority of population considers religion as essential self identifier and social bonding force. Hence, religion shall remain to be the main influencing factor for consciousness.
Religious extremism is born through superiority ego about the religion, feeling of suppression from other religious groups or lust for power. Human history is full of many violent battles between followers of different religions with innumerable loss of life, destruction of religious monuments, brutality and forced conversions and transfer of power centres.
In fact, origin of many religions can be traced to the modifications in ideologies and methods of rituals based on progress of human understanding. Sustainable growth, welfare and sustainability of human race can be achieved only if religion is considered as personal preferred choice rather than social compulsion.
This however, requires thorough change in role of religion to give more importance to ethical values and limiting scope of rituals and specific code of conduct to individuals rather than social group. Religion also should keep its knowledge store modifiable in the light of new science revelations about universe and natural laws.
Science and Technology increases capacity, strength and capability of individual or society by providing technical knowhow, tools and products. However, mere scientific reasoning and development of technology cannot help in establishing ethical values and hence are unable to create emotional active force at community level.
On the other hand science without concern to human values may create situations that endanger survival of human race (War with nuclear weapons or over exploitation of natural resources) or can lead to global dictatorship as described in novels ‘New Brave World ‘ by Aldus Huxley and ‘Ninteen Eighty Four’.by George Orwel. We shall discuss about these books in next blog.
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