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The Quest of Secularism all - pervasive today :
The indisputable fact is that presently the influence of transcendentalism is fast losing its appeal on mankind as a whole. Barring few exceptions, an all pervasive secular outlook is the call of the day. The humanistic visions of earthly goals are more appealing than the knowledge and realization of the supreme being. Thus the pursuit of the spiritual values for seeking stability and harmony in the world is considered a mere past hangover and hence as an outdated activity. Today man has achieved a tremendous capacity for upward mobility in all the social spheres of man. So also the communicating instruments for this end have increased many times all over the world. The point is that the conventional ideas regarding man in various religions as well as religious orientation and understanding in general need to be revised afresh in the light of the prevailing modern thought and ideas.
It is questioning the other way, whether the challenge to transcendentalism in religions is just a sudden and unexpected phenomenon in the recent times? To this our answer is simple 'no' because as early as the 5th century B.C., the same categorical understanding of human existence and the universe had really dawned on Gautam Buddha. In fact when we look into the past traditions of the prevailing religions thus, we do witness in them such rational approaches and inquiries at least in some way or the other as a necessary dynamism of the time. It might be that the ruthless authorities or the religious heads did not take a note of this and confined themselves to time-old dogmas. In this context, however, the period of modernity is very different indeed! Its revolutionary humanism has influenced all religions in great deal. Hence the sensitive religious person must be open to it and bring about a necessary change in their perspective. They must enquire afresh as to what religions stand for and how are they going to help man positively in his search for self-identify.
How then the religious thinkers are to face this predicament and bring about a proper revitalization among the followers of their respective religions? To me this tangle presupposes a true understanding of the stark realities presently facing us all. It would add a great weight in our collective efforts as the followers of respective religions. For, after all mere carrying on the heavy-weight of innumerable traditional legacy of huge temples, abundant scriptural facilities, countless missionaries etc. will not save us from deep pessimism and insecurity of bleak future facing us as due to total and extreme pursuing of present secular tendencies.
Some posers at the peak of secularization
Some pertinent questions at the peak of this secular climaxes of modern times are: How much and what does a man know about his own problems-individual and social? What is his responsibility at this juncture
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| SR No. | 007005 |
| Book Title | World of Philosophy |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Christopher Key Chapple, Intaj Malek, Dilip Charan, Sunanda Shastri, Prashant Dave |
| Publisher | Shanti Prakashan |
| Publication Year | 2011 |
| Total Pages | 1002 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 30 MB |