Hindu Ethics

[Guest guest]

We received the following email with a list of questions on Hindu ethics.

We would request the list members to respond

(either directly or via the list).

 

Vivekananda Centre London

http://www.vivekananda.co.uk

 

=====copy of email received======

" Lyn Dobrin " <lyndobrin

 

I am Dr. Arthur Dobrin and I teach a class in religious ethics at

Hofstra University. I am presently working on a book of comparative

religious ethics to be used by students and the interested public. I have

prepared a list of about 50 questions regarding ethical beliefs and

requirements and am asking representatives from various religions to

respond to these questions. The reader would then have a handy

comparative guide to religious ethics.

 

Is there someone you could suggest who may be interested in contributing

to this work?

 

Thanks for your consideration.

 

Arthur Dobrin

 

=========The questions sent by Dr Dobrin are as follows=========

 

Here are the questions.

General

 

1. What does it mean to be a good person?

2. Why be good?

3. Is it possible to be a good person and not be a member of your religion?

4. Is it possible to be a good person and no longer believe in your religion

i.e. can an apostate be a good person?

5. Is there a difference between religious requirements and morality?

6. What is the source of ethics?

7. Can someone be a good person and be an atheist?

8. How do you decide what is right and what is wrong?

9. Why do bad things happen to good people?

10. Is there a difference between a religious offence and a moral/secular

offence?

11. Who enforces the moral rules of your religion?

12. Should the moral rules of your religion apply to everyone?

13. What role should religion play in secular society?

 

Use of Force

 

14. Is killing ever justified?

15. Is war ever justified?

16. Is violence against innocent people justifiable?

17. Can someone be a conscientious objector?

18. Is force justifiable against children?

19. Is force justifiable against a spouse?

20. Is suicide ever justifiable?

21. To what extent is martyrdom acceptable?

22. Is it right to kill an innocent person in order to save the life of

another?

23. Is capital punishment acceptable; if so, for what offences?

 

Science and Medicine

 

24. Under what circumstances, if any, is abortion allowable?

25. Are autopsies allowable; if so, under what circumstances?

26. Are there rules about body modification e.g. tattoos, cosmetic surgery

or

amputations?

27. Are transfusions allowed?

28. Should extraordinary means be used to prolong life?

29. Should family and/or patients have the right to end suffering?

30. Does anyone have the right to hasten death?

31. In the case of conjoined twins when both will die if nothing is done to

separate them but only one will live (and the other die) if the operation

takes place, is the killing of one acceptable in order to save the life of

the other?

32. Is genetic engineering permissible?

33. Is the theory of evolution compatible with your religion?

34. Are environmental concerns part of your religious ethic?

35. Do animals have any moral standing?

36. Does your religion predict an end of time? If so, when will that be and

what will the world be like for humans?

 

Behaviour

 

37. Is sex outside marriage permissible?

38. Is sex only for procreation?

39. Is masturbation allowed?

40. Is genital sex the only morally permissible type?

41. Are there moral codes regarding dress and hairstyles?

42. Is transvestism immoral?

43. Is homosexuality immoral?

44. Should all people have equal rights under the law even if they engage in

immoral behaviour?

45. Should gay marriages be recognised by the state?

46. Is it immoral to have more than one spouse at time?

47. Is divorce acceptable?

48. Are the roles played by men and women a moral issue?

49. Are men and women separate but equal?

50. Is the use of drugs and/or alcohol allowable?

51. Should prayers be allowed in public schools?

52. Should the state subsidise religious schools or programs?

53. Is the food a person eats a religious and/or moral concern?

54. Is gambling allowed?

55. Is smoking allowed?

 

" Lyn Dobrin " <lyndobrin

 

===========================

 

thanks

jay Vivekananda Centre.