"This new game plan is not dissimilar to that of the Islamic State's (IS) plan. The IS are trying to draw inspiration from the glory days of the 7th century when the religion was set up and run the state in the present day basking in that glory. Narendra Modi has drawn inspiration from his mendacious claims of spectacular achievements in science in those prehistoric days and carrying on with his religious beliefs in modern times to run the country. For Narendra Modi bright days may lie ahead; but for India, secularism may be in the sick bed."
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While Islamic State (ISIS) is dragging the modernity into the pre-historic days, Pope and PM (Pope&PM) are bringing the pre-historic religion into the modernity. So, there is a difference between directions of ISIS and Pope&PM. Modi is not claiming that roots of all science are contained in just one religious book. That's another difference. I would be disappointed in the PM if would say that creationism should be the premise of science, and stem cell research will be banned in India. Yes, Modi has his own religious convictions, but as long as his views do not hinder the progress of science, it should be fine.
Modi is probably reminding Indian scientists about their past scientific heritages, and cheering them to challenge the world. Indian civilization, in the Vedic era, was much advanced than any other in the world. Descriptions of inter-galactic movement through space-ship, warfare with the most advanced weapons (airplanes, rockets, missiles, etc.), in-depth knowledge of astronomy, and astrology are all in the scriptural books, which depicted the advancements of knowledge in those days. Hindus have adopted those books as their religious books. That could be the reason why Indian scientists did not pay much attention to those books, perhaps out of prejudice towards religion, but, as I hear, Western scientists did not ignore them. If Indian scientists would have paid due attention to these books earlier, perhaps India could reach Mars first. Modi is probably reminding Indian scientists to look inwards before looking outwards at the West.
Also, a religious person can be a secular person also, if he/she wants to. We have to wait and see the status of secularism in India. Then again, is there any secular country in the world? All we can expect is fairness across the religious spectra.
Jiten Roy
From: "ANISUR RAHMAN anisur.rahman1@btinternet.com [mukto-mona]" <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, November 7, 2014 4:18 PM
Subject: [mukto-mona] Use and misuse of science in religions
The write-up on 'Use and misuse of science in religions' has just been published today. The URL is given below.
http://opinion.bdnews24.com/2014/11/07/use-and-misuse-of-science-in-religions/
Any comment will be appreciated.
- Anis Rahman
__._,_.___
Posted by: Jiten Roy <jnrsr53@yahoo.com>
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