Scriptures and violence - Please stop posting on this topic

[Guest guest]

Namaste Dear Members:

 

I honestly believe that it is very difficult (if not impossible) to

justify a discussion on the subject, "Scriptures and violence." The

list provides every member to use his/her own judgment and check

whatever they post fall within the scope and specified guidelines of

the list. If and when doubt arises in your mind regarding the

suitability of the topic, please don't hesitate to contact one of the

moderators. The moderators will be more than happy to help the

members to resolve their doubts. The moderators are quite confident

that members would make the right judgement because they believe that

this list is blessed with a group of very responsible members.

 

It is quite conceivable that scriptures from all religions (there are

no exceptions) will have some statements or quotations that either

inappropriate or induce intolerance or violence. We shouldn't make

our judgement of a religious scripture just using few statements or

quotations. All major religions have millions of followers and a

majority of them intelligent and rational individuals. Also major

religions of the world are thousands of years old, and the modern

yardstick may not be the right tool for making any judgement.

 

As Vedantins, we are graced with the disseminating intellect (Viveka

or also known as buddhi) this is the best gift that we possess. Gita

beautifully states in the following verses in chapter 2 what happens

if we lose our discriminating intellect:

 

Verse 62:

dhyayato visayan pumsah sangas tesupajayate

sangat sanjayate kamah kamat krodho 'bhijayate

 

When a man thinks of the objects, attachment for them arises. From

attachment desire is born. From desire anger arises.

 

Verse 63:

krodhad bhavati sammohah sammohat smrti-vibhramah

smrti-bhramsad buddhi-naso buddhi-nasat pranasyati

>From anger comes delusion. From delusion loss of memory. From loss of

memory the destruction of discrimination. From destruction of

discrimination, the person perishes.

 

In the present context by continuing the discussions on this subject

matter the discussants will likely promote doubts, prejudice, hatred

and anger. Anger causes temporary loss of memory and eventually the

discriminating intelligence gets destroyed. Discussants fail to

recognize the loss of memory and consequently the discussions

results in chaos and brings unpleasantness all around.

 

In conclusion, let us try our level best to avoid discussions with

high potentials to promote anger or hatred between the members.

Welfare economists apply the principle of 'Pareto optimality' to

choose any public policy. A public policy is Pareto optimal if it is

beneficial to atleast one individual and does not create injustice to

anyone. In the list context, any post that appears in the list should

be beneficial to atleast one and does not cause anger and hatred to

anyone. This suggestion is not a strict rule but we should try as

much as reasonably possible.

 

Thanks in advance for your cooperation and understanding,

 

Warmest regards,

 

Ram Chandran