World of Philosophy

Author(s): Christopher Key Chapple, Intaj Malek, Dilip Charan, Sunanda Shastri, Prashant Dave
Publisher: Shanti Prakashan

Page 330

opportunity for rethinking in the realms of the religions. For, the votaries of different religions can freely meet and converse with one another now! The outer barriers of religions may not matter much. The transcendental nature of man seems very much translated in such evidences of empirical understanding of life. In the same way, the upholders of spiritual values have to struggle with the down-to-earth empirical problems centrally affecting the very survival of man and his universe presently. For, it is in such creative search of the human identity in the religious sense that would help symbolize the universal human ability at its best. If there prevails no peace in the outer world, the ostrich like religious pursuits would lead us nowhere near the goal.
However, too much stagnation and lip-service in name of religions prevail still. Essentially there is no inner moving and becoming in the religious sense. Even the leading followers and thinkers in various religions suffer from many personality splits consciously and unconsciously. Thus, science and technology seem to have made far reaching changes in a short time everywhere. But the responsible religious leaders have yet to charter people in the religious or spiritual direction and this presupposes the great change and reawakening in all those who care for religious goals as such. The haunting question is as to how these searchers in the religious goals are prepared to suffer consciously for truth as one opted for a religious way of life? Mere remaining a part and parcel of a certain religious sect won't lend an objective assessment of the present reality and hence that of the corresponding necessary actions. What is needed is to do away with the conventional authoritative hold-ups and effectuate essential religion in all its existential applications.
The issue is whether the followers of various religions want to live and live fully together? Do they really seek a meaningful spiritual progress? If so, then whether they care to make such an atmosphere? Thus, the spatiotemporal ideas of the followers in different religions may be of whatever nature, but where universal issues are concerned, are they ready to speak with one voice? If socio-political or economic reasons bring many countries together and make a world-wide impact together, then why can't the religious spokesmen speak collectively for religious cause? Instead of petty selfcentered talks of crusades, proselytizintg activities, mass preaching etc. etc.; all the religions and religious organizations need to stress the common concern and urgencies in the harmonious welfare and development of mankind. The harmonious religious goals in the secular era
It is to pinpoint in this context that the world is facing varieties of exploitations and injustices perpetrated for centuries at the cost of human dignity. This list is long and it needs no mentioning for it is too patent. Again,
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