The whole movement of eradication of superstition revolves round this subject and all the brickbats and bouquets that are showered on us are related to it. Some consider our activities to be quite purposeful, beneficial and reasonable, while others take them to be just the opposite. Unless superstitions are eradicated we will not be successful in the 21st century; say some while others think that eradication of superstitions is actually a façade for destroying god, religion and traditions. What is superstition after all? They ask. It is much the same as blowing the ash that gathers on a burning piece of charcoal. Once blown the charcoal shines again. Therefore, it is necessary to blow away the ash i.e., superstition, occasionally but taking care at the same time, not to blow out the fire itself.
Relativity of Faith
Why are there so many opinions about eradication of superstitions? The reason is that one person's faith is a superstition for another and what a third person considers to be a superstition, is a very strong faith, almost a question of life and death for a fourth one. It thus becomes necessary to clarify what is faith and what is superstition. However one faces a difficulty here, because as we have already seen before, faiths vary with times and individuals. Every one has seen the photograph of Satya Saibaba. To his disciples he is a great Baba, guru, sage and even Lord! What is so peculiar about this Baba? He just moves his hand in the air and gives you holy ashes, gold chains silver rings and what not. It is claimed in his books that he even gives his disciples gold lockets and necklaces studded with jewels. These miracles have won him the faith of innumerable men and women including the prime ministers and president of this country. On the other hand there also exist a number of individuals who consider these miracles nothing but fraud perpetrated on gullible people to boost idolatry and superstition. This can be called idiosyncratic relativity of faith.
The Meaning of Faith
The word faith has diverse meanings. Consider the following statements: I have faith in my mother and father: I have faith in my guru or Baba: I have faith in my family deity and religion: I have faith in miracles, supernatural powers as also the power of the mantras: I have faith in equality and the constitution of this country. In each of these statements the word faith has a different connotation, but very few people are aware of it. We generally accept that meaning of a word as it is commonly used. Suppose you come across a person, while strolling with a friend, whom you tell that the person approaching you is a 'chamcha' of such and such leader. Now chamcha literally means a spoon. But when used to describe a particular person, your friend has no difficulty in understanding what you mean. Similarly the word faith when used in every day affairs generally means religious faith, faith in the other world or in the liberation of the soul from the cycle of birth and death. Thousands of preachers from millions of temples have been drilling into our minds that we ought to have faith and faith alone can help us navigate safely the hazardous sea of life on this earth. Do not reason, they preach, for reasoning leads one nowhere. Let your emotions guide you instead. Do not allow your conscience or reasoning intellect hamper your religious path. What they preach and demand from you is certainly superstition and not faith. Let us consider another pair of words, here, before we dive deep into the discussion on superstition and faith.
No comments:
Post a Comment