Science and religion

Often religion is criticized on the ground that it goes against the scientific principles and stifles scientific growth. Critics often point out certain portions of religious texts which are in contravention of now established scientific facts. Adherents of religion often try to prove their religious texts as authentic by trying to prove that certain scientific truths were already mentioned in scriptures, though through a hidden meaning. By trying to point out scientific facts in religious texts, people often end as  being subjected to ridicule and often because as scientific discoveries and theories tend to change. Science and religion cover different spheres of human existence. While science tries to understand the universe and physical world as well as biological factors along with trying to improve the quality of human life, religion is more concerned with the spiritual aspect of human existence. People make a mistake of using science to attack religion or vice versa. People should make a healthy balance between the two. It is unwise to say that a person of science cannot be religious or a person of God cannot be curious about the world around him. Even the foundation of the science of genetics was laid down by a monk in a monastery. What is required is a childlike curiosity to find out what the world is all about. Religion says God created the world, science tries to find out how He did it. The creation and how it came into existence is a subject of science, why it came into existence is of religion. The two are not competitors, rather they complement and supplement each other. In fact, the maximum that a scientist does is try to find out the mystery behind kun fayakun.

Anguish

Let the writer in me write
And let the poet speak
for the tales of anguish be retold
Before men forget and sleep
As they watch the buildings crumble
And the towns disintegrate
A shadow of the past looms up
And begs us to stop the hate
For the men who walked, crawled
And the women hide their tears
Stop before it is too late
Stop before all is covered in fear

Why muslims suffer?

Around the world, the muslim community is suffering because of the terrorist organizations and the phobia attached because of them. While everyone knows that the vast majority of the community does not agree with the terrorist ideology but in fact condemns it, yet islamophobia is increasing. One of the reasons for this increase maybe that there is no way of differentiating between who is good and who is bad. The other reason is that the community is not doing enough. The community is trying to build with words that which the terrorists destroy by action. The love, the trust, the faith has been lost and we have to regain it. We may condemn all that we may want but still the actions are not enough. The net result, the social media, the print media, televisions, radios, everywhere there are people who are mocking and criticizing the community. It is time for the community to accelerate its march towards education and empowerment, to become the scientists, doctors, engineers, politicians  and statesmen, who can truly reflect t the real religion. Just doing the lip service is no longer enough, the community needs to march forwards and rebuild that which has been lost. True, there still be some critics but at least the majority will acknowledge us as the builders and not the destroyers.

Always the fool

During the earlier days, there used to be a designated person, a court jester, a fool or a clown who had the capacity to call out on the fallacy of the common reasoning. He could criticize the monarch and get away with it because he was the fool, whose purpose was to make people laugh. Sometimes, the king might scold him and he would cry and be forgiven. But at the time when the king was wrong, he would be the one to point it out. He would be the one talking reason when the general multitude was a silent spectator. Shakesperean plays would always have a fool who would be the voice of reason. Times have changed but the fool remains. Today he is the comedian, speaking either from a studio or as a stand up, pointing out the mistakes of the governments. he is the one who speaks the truth and is discounted because he is a comedian, an entertainer. But he is the voice of reason, he is the voice of truth. When people become oblivious of the injustices around them, it s the fool who has to shake them up from their slumber. How many revolutions of the past were as a result of what the fool said may not be known, but somewhere a fool might have turned the tide.

Where did we go wrong?

Everyday there are reports of killings and attacks in the same of religion. There are terrorist attacks on unsuspecting men, women and children irrespective of who they are. Somewhere behind this bloodshed, behind the young people who are willing to kill other innocent people along with with getting killed themselves, there must be something really wrong. Religions are supposed to make people better individuals who would b e responsible for the betterment of the society. How does religious indoctrination causes men to go out and kill any random person without justification is questionable. There has been a serious flaw in the upbringing of these individuals who seek violence for justifying their religious beliefs. And the fault lies with the entire community. Every individual who had the opportunity to explain the doctrines of mutual love and understanding and failed to do is responsible. The only reason the fringe elements can brainwash a person into doing something as violent as mass murder is because that individual did not receive the right guidance while growing up. It maybe the shortcomings of his parents, friends, relatives, neighbors or teachers but in the end it is the entire community that has to pay. Followers of the moderate form of religion have a duty to explain to other extremist individuals the real spiritual essence of religion. Instead of being divided into sects, everyone must reach out to others to understand the differences. There is a greater need to indulge into interfaith dialogues to prevent the youth from being misguided. Till date, we have failed the youth by letting them being misguided but it is high time to take action otherwise the world will have a forgettable future.

Keeping up the appearances

Growing up in India I never saw any child with deformity or any disease, whether down’s syndrome or any other birth defect. I never saw anyone with any physical or mental ailment except for a stray case of cross eye or epilepsy which was made fun of. It was rare to hear of a child being born with any congenital disease and such news was always received with the shaking of head and an expression of sympathy and then forgotten. However, things changed when I moved to the USA. Here I saw children with various diseases, both mental and physical, birth defects as well as those acquired later on. The reason not being that there are more birth defects in the USA than in India but rather that back in India people feel ashamed if their child is different. Children are taken to be matter of pride and ego and thus, not allowed to be different. If a child is born with a disease, he is hidden from the world. Even a child with a weak eyesight would be kept away from public to avoid any questions. People would rather keep the appearance of being perfect than actually trying to bring perfection in the lives of those who need help. By hiding a child that is unwell, parents tend to do more harm than good, ultimately adversely affecting the health of the caregiver as well. There is a need to acknowledge the differences. Parents and communities should build a strong network so that the child with special needs can come out and mingle with others. It is important that a strong support group comprising of families, neighbors, teachers and social workers is formed to guide and support those who need special help whether because of any physical shortcomings or because of mental ailments.

Mumma don't cry

Sometimes as I sit and think of you
I can feel you by my side
I can feel you laugh and fiddle your fingers
As you tell your little tales
But as I turn around to hold you
I cannot see what my heart feels
Where I hope to see you sitting
Is only a painful void for me
Sometimes I hear your tiny voice
Coming from beyond your grave
Telling me, "mumma please don't cry,
I am but with you,
Mumma, I am in your heart
I never really left you.
Mumma, dont cry, for I cry with you
One day when you are old and grey
I will come to hold your hand
And I will guide you there where I play
Where we will be together in everlasting happiness."