Capt.Popeye
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- Apr 5, 2010
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The student shouldn't have asked him about worshiping idols. Why does he have to explain his beliefs to anyone? See this is the thing that needs to change in Pakistan. Tolerance, tolerance, tolerance. Just accept people are different. We are at that stage where we are in conflict with everyone. This has to change to acceptance.
Ravi Shankar gave a brilliant response to this childish comment about worshipping of idols but he shouldn't have needed to explain himself. For Pakistan to prosper we need to become impartial to the religious beliefs of others. Perhaps secularism is one of the best options for our country.
Your POV about secularism is commendable. But there was nothing wrong in the question that the student asked him, I will not consider it childish (whatever the intent). Likewise Ravi Shankar could have opted not to reply, but wisely he chose to do so. And gave the true explanation, which many people either are ignorant about or conveniently overlook.
As you have rightly affirmed, the most important thing is that people must respect the right of other people to hold their own beliefs; beliefs that may be at variance with their own!
That respect is (probably) basic to any worthwhile philosophy of living.
About Secularism being a good and viable option for the people of Pakistan, the people themselves should make a well-considered decision about that eventually. And that will happen best when people are able to think clearly for themselves unfettered by doctrinaire ideas.
Finally, the Koran itself (imho) itself enjoins tolerance and peaceful co-existence with people of other beliefs. Is that alien or foreign to the very basic premise of Secularism?