ENSURE FREEDOM TO QUIT FAITH FREE OF FEAR

ENSURE FREEDOM TO QUIT FAITH FREE OF FEAR

The law of the land must in principle and practice be such that leaving a religion will not lead to persecution from family and friends. Also, no blasphemy laws should be there. Fact-based criticism of religion should be permitted and protected by law. Lastly, the social consciousness of a country must be conducive to rational thinking and acting in accordance in perfect freedom without having to fear for life or ostracisation from society on account of apostasy.

Making religion sacrosanct and above criticism is a regressive attitude that ought to be done away with. If believers in an absolutist faith feel hypersensitive when their professed doctrines are subjected to scientific scrutiny and commented upon, and they respond by resorting to frenzied violence, then they must not be pampered by any democratic nation that abides by law and must be forthwith brought to book.

The history of the world is littered with the debris of past religious genocides and infliction of injury on the inquiring individual, and we can scarce afford such atrocity any more. If religion itself from its doctrinaire position breeds such fanaticism, it is best given up and a healthy humanism adopted in its place which, if pursued far enough, will lead to the wisdom of the Vedanta. So, let social consciousness and the law ensure freedom and peace of the individual and, in consequence, of the aggregate body politic. 

Written by Sugata Bose