Democracy and Religion By T.S. Khanna, August 27,2016

Foundation For Better Government

                                 
                  


           Democracy and Religion

                                                   By T.S.Khanna, August 27,2016

Every religion has created its own image of God to use Him as a source of values, inspiration, and commands, assigned to Him by the religious leaders.  The followers are required to imbibe those values in their hearts, minds, thoughts, and actions without questioning, in the name of faith in “God’s Word”, not open for reasoning.  It is ingrained in them that unquestioning faith is superior to critical thinking or evolving human thought.  From childhood, the faithful are programmed to advance the cause of their religion for credits to improve their “after-life”.

The incompatibility of values assigned to God by various religious leaders has been the cause of numerous human conflicts.  All through history, more people have been killed due to religious conflicts than by any other cause.  Religions, in the past, have been used as well regimented political organizations to conquer, subjugate, and enslave other people with self-created moral justifications in the name of God.  Religions have not only been enemy to one another they have also opposed modernization that would change the agricultural setting and culture in which a religion was created and propagated.

In 1924, in the USA, as industrial economy started bringing about cultural changes, some religious fundamentalists condemned the changes as “a revolt against the God of Christianity” (Ref. Fundamentalism and American Culture, Marsden).

Now the march of industrialization and modernization is inexorable.  Learning about the advancing human knowledge is a necessity for everyone to adjust and comfortably live with the escalating pace of change.

In democratic governments, attempt has been made to keep the government separate from religion to enable people of different belief systems to form and run a common government for their common benefit.  However, from time to time, it has been evident that religion and government cannot be fire-walled from each other simply by declaring the intent in the constitution.  To the extent the democratic governments had success in keeping the religion independent of government, they also had a set-back in controlling the anti-governmental activities of religions.

To nip the problem at its root, the teachings and practices of participating religions may be required to conform to the constitutional values like (a) Equality of all people regardless of the race, religion, caste, ethnicity, or skin color; (b) Equality among women and men; (c) Freedom of thought, speech, and innovation; (d) Freedom to switch religion; (e) Natural rights of individuals, and similar other values.

Moreover, all religious places may be required to be open and accessible to people of all faiths.  Religions may no longer be allowed to act as political organizations or conspiracy clubs.  Non-conforming religions may not be given the benefit of constitutional protection and tax exemption.  Democratic governments may encourage religions to improve the plight of humanity and not allow any teachings or practices running counter to that purpose.

To avert or minimize human conflicts and disasters in the future, we need to consider making democratic governments less democratic and dictatorial governments less dictatorial.  Democratic governments in the present form do not seem be sustainable.

NOTE: Recommended Book, "Ancient Religions, Modern Politics" By Michael Cook, Princeton University Press, 2014.

The First Amendment By T.S. Khanna, August 12, 2016

Foundation for Better Government

August 12. 2016

The First Amendment

By T.S. Khanna, August 12, 2016

The surge of spirit that prevailed at the time of establishing this nation lingered on for a long time after the Constitution was adopted.  The Constitution worked well under that spirit,  missing now.

Let’s look at the First Amendment in light of the Jihadi terrorists availing its protection under the guise of Islam, prior to committing the crime.

To most people, it is not clear if the terrorists are truly religion driven or it is their misinterpretation of Islam to moralize their heinous crimes.

Religious teachings have two aspects:  relationship (1) with God, and, (2) with other human beings.  Re the first aspect, variations in religious teachings are of little concern.  However, for the second aspect, compatibility is essential in the teachings of various religions participating in democracy.

Non-compatible religions cannot be given protection under the First Amendment.

That is why, it is imperative to examine the scriptures, values, customs, and doctrines of all religions in the USA and allow First Amendment protection only to the qualifying religions.

Moreover, in the wake of advancing technology and the mixing of various cultures, it is a compelling time for us to review, rethink, and replant some of the diverse cherished beliefs and convictions.

The nation is not a phenomenon of a single race, ethnicity, or, religion, but for people to live together, work together, and flourish together, some level of uniformity in their belief system must be attained and maintained for inspirations  from common ideals.

The First Amendment could be instrumental in developing this American exceptionalism.

The Second Amendment By T.S. Khanna, August 10,2016

Foundation for Better Government

August 10, 2016

The Second Amendment

By T.S. Khanna, August 10, 2016.

We are continuously immersed in the cyclical rhythms of presidential election when power seekers use opportunity to divide us and pit us against one another in pursuit of their agenda.  We are obliged to view issues in all-or-nothing terms, not in analytical terms.

The case in point: Second Amendment.

Each epoch is a reaction to its past.  When this nation was being established, people were in a mood reactive to their experiences under King George III.  They wanted every citizen to have the right to defend himself against the government excesses and from the criminals in the sparsely populated areas not easily protectcted by the police.

During the last few decades, criminals and youngsters have taken undue advantage of the Second Amendment to reinforce their quarters.

A few years ago, in a very serious police encounter in Los Angeles, it was noted that the criminals had superior weaponry than the police had.

In recent times, terrorists have also been noted to take advantage of the Second Amendment in acquiring weapons and ammunition.

Collectively, are we too dumb to sort out the issue?  Second Amendment is not a partisan issue.  It is a bipartisan public safety and police safety issue.  We need to rationally and dispassionately sort it out to respect and preserve its spirit and not allow its misuse.