The Outsider Posted August 22, 2013 Posted August 22, 2013 Given how the public pressure might pursue the Maharashtra government is set to pass the anti superstition - or something to that effect - bill.
ravishingravi Posted August 22, 2013 Posted August 22, 2013 I think ABVP's involvement has to be considered.
Detonator Posted August 22, 2013 Posted August 22, 2013 Which acts qualifies as superstition and which doens't?
Brainfade Posted August 22, 2013 Posted August 22, 2013 Which acts qualifies as superstition and which doens't? Exactly. Do we really want the government legislating belief systems? I contend that all religion is superstition. That does not mean that people should not have the freedom to be religious. With all due respect to Dabholkar (RIP), this kind of government intrusion is ridiculous.
Crookbond Posted August 22, 2013 Posted August 22, 2013 Cricaddict - Does the bill/act mention use the word 'superstition' vaguely? You might want to check on that part.
Detonator Posted August 22, 2013 Posted August 22, 2013 Exactly. Do we really want the government legislating belief systems? I contend that all religion is superstition. That does not mean that people should not have the freedom to be religious. With all due respect to Dabholkar (RIP)' date=' this kind of government intrusion is ridiculous.[/quote'] Here is a list that included in bill. It's ok to stop these acts as they mean no harm, but also we got to keep in mind that doing these most acts also mean no harm. Some of them are so rudiculous,like the animal sacrifice as if the meat industry is doing Euthanasia to animals. There are lot of "swamiji's" who are taking advantage of these kind of acts, but stopping specific things will only create newer methods. If these are to be banned, many things like the touch healing, pardon for sins (yeah one will be forgiven by God even it's a murder, so that he can have no guilty afterwards ) , trying to convert other religions, showing gory movies for that etc., There are many other harmful acts that are overlooked here.
saneindian Posted August 22, 2013 Posted August 22, 2013 The murder is a cowardly heinous act and deserve all round condemnation. The culprits should be given the most sever punishment. But the anti -Superstition bill looks like a totally knee-jerk reaction and an ill conceived idea. How do you define superstition and how exactly are the things mentioned going to be decided to be superstitious? As long as a superstition is not hurting anyone or not causing any law and order problem, dont think the govt should even be interfering in that. Some of the things likely to be a part of the bill are so wide and open to interpretation, anyone doing religious work for any religion could be put behind bars on a complaint!
Detonator Posted August 22, 2013 Posted August 22, 2013 ^ Just like the misuse of Protection of Civil Rights act.
coffee_rules Posted August 22, 2013 Posted August 22, 2013 How about Miracle services offered by people like Benny Hinn? Will they ban that too? http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=20050211002803700.htm&date=fl2203/&prd=fline&
Yoda-esque Posted August 22, 2013 Posted August 22, 2013 How about Miracle services offered by people like Benny Hinn? Will they ban that too? http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/thscrip/print.pl?file=20050211002803700.htm&date=fl2203/&prd=fline&
Brainfade Posted August 23, 2013 Posted August 23, 2013 Here is a list that included in bill. It's ok to stop these acts as they mean no harm' date=' but also we got to keep in mind that doing these most acts also mean no harm. Some of them are so rudiculous,like the animal sacrifice as if the meat industry is doing Euthanasia to animals.[b'] There are lot of "swamiji's" who are taking advantage of these kind of acts, but stopping specific things will only create newer methods. If these are to be banned, many things like the touch healing, pardon for sins (yeah one will be forgiven by God even it's a murder, so that he can have no guilty afterwards ) , trying to convert other religions, showing gory movies for that etc., There are many other harmful acts that are overlooked here. If people are willing to part with their money to do pujas to appease imaginary deities, why shouldn't the swamiji get some of it? A few weeks ago, I was at a friend's place attending a very commonly conducted puja. After the puja, they read some stories about why you will be ruined if you don't do that puja. Pure blackmail. I call it the pujari insurance plan. Why not ban that?
diga Posted August 23, 2013 Posted August 23, 2013 If people are willing to part with their money to do pujas to appease imaginary deities, why shouldn't the swamiji get some of it? A few weeks ago, I was at a friend's place attending a very commonly conducted puja. After the puja, they read some stories about why you will be ruined if you don't do that puja. Pure blackmail. I call it the pujari insurance plan. Why not ban that? The practice of relegion itself is based on fear... If you start banning all these, then we as well become an atheist country. BTW,Is there any country which proclaims itself as atheist?
Brainfade Posted August 23, 2013 Posted August 23, 2013 The practice of relegion itself is based on fear... If you start banning all these' date=' then we as well become an atheist country. BTW,Is there any country which proclaims itself as atheist?[/quote'] Exactly. When I said "why not ban that?" I was being facetious. Of course, you cannot take away people's right to practice religion. You also must not take away people's right to believe in superstition unless it harms another person (e.g., human sacrifice). And in case another person is harmed or killed, it is the harmful act that is punishable, not the superstition itself. Bottom line? The anti-superstition act is a joke.
Mariyam Posted August 23, 2013 Posted August 23, 2013 I think ABVP's involvement has to be considered. I'm highly skeptical. I think ABVP is too old to be a pillion rider and shoot down people.
coffee_rules Posted August 23, 2013 Posted August 23, 2013 I'm highly skeptical. I think ABVP is too old to be a pillion rider and shoot down people. this
Mariyam Posted August 23, 2013 Posted August 23, 2013 What about numerology? What about kundli/ match making? How come those are exempt? Funny part is that the Mumbai HC had declared astrology as a science a few years ago.This Bill seems to based on completely random and ill conceived. "To claim possession of supernatural powers and to advertise this claim To dispense magical remedies for curing rabies and snake bites. To dispense medical remedies with claims of assured fertility. " Aren't these already under the auspices of the "Objectionable Advertisements of the Drugs and Remedies Act? What would a Hazrat Salim Chisti or a Hazrat Nizamuddin do, if they lived today?
coffee_rules Posted August 23, 2013 Posted August 23, 2013 add Fengshi/Vaasthu to the blind superstition bill? I will second that. Thats one of the biggest scams as well.
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