Those Whom God Wishes To Destroy, He First Deprives Of Reason
By
Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
19 January
2024
“Nationalism is our form of incest, is our
idolatry, is our insanity. 'Patriotism’ is its cult. In less educated and
enlightened societies, religion and nationalism are entwined and they create
divisions."
Erich Fromm, quoted by Anthony Grayling in The Good
Book: A Humanist Bible
What Erich
Fromm observed in 1946, is very much obvious.
The
proponents of this toxic faith are asserting that those who're against Ram
Mandir are against India! In other words, if one refrains from saying Jai Sri
Ram, he/she is a Deshdrohi (traitor).
The
intensity of your Ram Bhakti decides your love for the country. In a city like
Poona, which is considered to be a 'cultured' city, Hindus, even Jains, are
greeting each other saying Jai Sri Ram. Good morning, good afternoon and good
evening have disappeared. Now Ram Naam is all-pervading.
In his
book, "Religion Within The Bounds Of Bare Reason," Immanuel
Kant wrote that, "When a religion is systematically promoted, it
influences an individual's reasoning. Then it influences the reasoning of a
larger group. Gradually, all people get influenced by it."
Hindus,
though they believed in Ram, were least bothered about the Phenomenon of Ram as
late as 2018. But now the situation is different. Entire country is chanting
Jai Sri Ram. Now, the name of Ram is an electoral tool and a metaphor for
social mobilization.
Roman
emperor Marcus Aurelius warned two millenniums ago that a king who dwelt too
much upon gods , would sooner or later realize his blunder. Will this
megalomaniac leader at the helm learn even a semblance from Marcus Aurelius's
advice? But the question is, has he ever heard the name of Marcus Aurelius, let
alone, read him? I seriously doubt it.
At the
moment, the whole nation is in the throes of Ram and if you say anything
against the ongoing madness, you may jeopardise your life or limbs. People are
mad about Ram and it reminds me of the famous Latin adage, "Quos Deus Vult
Perdere, Prius Dementat " (literally: Those whom god wishes to
destroy, he first deprives of reason).
A German
newspaper recently wrote in its editorial that it's indeed strange as to how
almost all Hindus of a huge country like India are collectively convinced in
the name of a religion and its particularly revered character. This is not a
compliment. This is criticism in disguise.
January 22
is being projected as a Golden-Letter-Day in the modern history of
India. But to me, it's the birthday of my favourite English poet Lord Byron who
said, " God and religion are for those who're cerebrally deficient."
By the way, Poona has a Byron Appreciation Club comprising the lovers and
connoisseurs of Byron's sublime poetry. They meet on Jan 22 and April 19 (the
day he passed away) and discuss his great poetry.
Let's hope
they don't talk on Ram Mandir when they meet on Jan 22!
----
A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul
is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He
has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several
languages including Persian.
URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/god-wishes-destroy-deprives-reason/d/131548
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