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Some Aspects of Indian Culture
But there is also a danger point. The weakness of human nature has always displayed itself in times of great revivals of religion in the form of a disposition, or an inclination to pass into extremes especially in these three things, enthusiasm, superstition and uncontrolled intemperate zeal. Fanatic faith once entertained fast and wedded to some dear falsehood, hugs it to the last. At the same time, it is also true that we often excuse our want of philanthropy by giving the name of fanaticism to the more ardent zeal of others. This also has got to be guarded against. Intolerance has been the curse of every age and State. Nothing dies so hard or rallies so often as intolerance. It is better to be of no church than to be bitter for any. Tolerance of all religions is a law of nature. How is it possible to imagine that a religion breathing the spirit of mercy and benevolence, teaching the forgiveness of injuries and the return of good for evil, can be so perverted as to breathe the spirit of slaughter? It is an unaccountable and extraordinary phenomenon. Still more extraordinary is that phenomenon in which it becomes the means not of base and wicked men only, seeking to cover up their own misdeeds, but of good men, seeking the way of redemption with honesty of heart and purpose. Let us all remember that even if we do not become tolerant, let us not commit at least a crime of intolerance.
Secularism, to a certain extent, does affect adversely the cultivation of moral and spiritual values, as it generally, is anti-religious attitude. We in India are normally tolerant and therefore other religions also do flourish, the main reason being that India is a Secular State. Our Secularism has no doubt cast a deleterious effect on the process of education in respect of fostering the values, moral and spiritual. I am, therefore, in favour of introducing a programme of general religious instructions in the primary education itself from its very start. I would even go to the length of suggestiog that the subject of general religious instructions should be made compulsory, Compulsory teaching of Christianity and Islam in the denominational schools should be discouraged and instead the same of general religious instructions should be introduced. This will definitely create and promote a spirit of dedication, which is almost extinct. It is necessary and also practical. It is possible to formulate a common denominator of ethical and spiritual education for all religionists. The fact that Akbar's experiment of Divine Faith which almost died with his death should not disappoint us. If we patiently pursue it, I am hopeful, it will take deep roots in course of time.
Materialistic civilization, which is the offspring of physical sciences, has done more harm than good to humanity. It has made man a restless, fast-moving machine, bereft of hope and cheer and all the finer sentiments of life. The average man is superficially a gentlenian, smiling and well-dressed; scratch him : he has but tailormade happiness. Internally he has no peace of mind; he is worried; he is confused; he is bewildered. Trusting the future, remembering the past, he often fails to act in the living present. He goes on toiling, rejoicing and sorrowing, but having no set aim or ideal in life, he does not move onward with a purpose. The world is in a bad
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