Discussion and Philosophy

[Guest guest]

MR wrote -

>

 

> But seriously, every religion has its progressive/liberal wing and it's

> conservative/fundamentalist wing, who usually call each other much worse

> terms than "fools".

 

If you are going to compare ISKCON with any other mundane religion, you've

missed the entire point, which *is* the entire point of your constant

protests. It is not a matter of interpretation - it's a matter of following

what Prabhupada said, but if by your own admission you are unable to do

that, then leave. Don't start trying to turn everyone to your way of

thinking by saying "you're so limited in your thinking". Perhaps it is you

who is limited? This is what I meant by spiritual intelligence and humility.

You cannot demand that the answers to your questions change if you don't

like what you hear. All this liberalist nonsense aside, Prabhupada's

teachings are not open to *your* interpretation, unless you can claim a

greater wealth of transcendental understanding than he possessed, or any of

his disciples who are also qualified to do so.

 

> Personally, I think it's a healthy sign (not the name

> calling, but the fact that they coexist) that will prevent stagnation. Not

> everyone will interpret all sastra the same way. Yet, this is supposed to

> be a philosophy the whole world can take to. If you restrict its adherent

> too only conservatives, or only liberals, you will never see that happen.

 

Neither is it "healthy" to continually question the tenets of the

philosophy. In fact, Prabhupada said - I know you object to Prabhupada being

quoted, but still, it's applicable:

 

"Srila Prabhupada: Christianity is Christianity. You cannot call it modern

or ancient, nor can you say God is modern or ancient. Either a person is a

Christian, or he is not. In other words, either he follows the orders of

Christ, or he doesn't. If he does not follow the tenets of his religion, how

can he claim to belong to that religion? This is applicable to all

religions. ....This is insulting."

 

So it's not a matter of what you 'perceive' to be right or wrong, or a

matter of mundane interpretation. You cannot postulate that the theory of

karma is 'absurd' and call yourself a follower of Srila Prabhupada. It is a

matter of raising your consciousness and sharpening your intelligence

through sastra - not applying your own personal dynamics to what you

perceive to be an 'argument' presented by someone to 'prove their case'.

Prabhupada also said that one should immediately follow up his points by

quoting scripture. I have yet to see you do this, and your arguments are

simply unenlightened and mundane reasonings until you do so.

 

Braja Sevaki dd