This is one of those TED talks by a religious writer Karen Armstrong. Her ultimate idea falls short of our siddhanta but she is definitely a progression from the Dawkins type. she makes some really interesting points about belief.
Nobody found this discussion-worthy? (obviously the answer is no, but I am hoping with a little nudge someone might come forward)
Nobody found this discussion-worthy? (obviously the answer is no, but I am hoping with a little nudge someone might come forward)
I did watch the video. It appears that she addresses religious fanaticism everywhere and presents a reasonable solution by requesting the religious leadership to promote a focus on their fundamental moral values, due unto others as you would have them do unto you, i.e. the golden rule.
If we were to take her advice for ourselves, I suppose that Gaudiya Vaisnava's could also make a significant contribution to the cause, beginning by getting our own house in order.
Maybe it could be said that the Golden Rule of Gaudiya Vaisnavism is trnad api sunicena...
I admit I only watched part of the video (I didn't have the patience to sit through the whole thing), but I also did a little research on Karen Armstrong and her message. Her general thesis seems to be that since compassion is the most prominent common element in all the major world religions, it must constitute the core of religion itself. In other words, by the practice of compassion, we will come to know God. That seems to put the cart before the horse. Rather, when we come to know God, compassion is one of the qualities that will manifest in us spontaneously. Not that we shouldn't make any effort to be compassionate, but putting compassion at the center of religion seems to relegate God to the periphery.
I admit I only watched part of the video (I didn't have the patience to sit through the whole thing), but I also did a little research on Karen Armstrong and her message. Her general thesis seems to be that since compassion is the most prominent common element in all the major world religions, it must constitute the core of religion itself. In other words, by the practice of compassion, we will come to know God. That seems to put the cart before the horse. Rather, when we come to know God, compassion is one of the qualities that will manifest in us spontaneously. Not that we shouldn't make any effort to be compassionate, but putting compassion at the center of religion seems to relegate God to the periphery.
I agree. It is somewhat of a standard Christian spirituality, soup kitchens, homeless shelters etc. I guess what I appreciated was the dignity and validity she still gave religion. She seemed to present the idea that it is not just irrational faith and a psychological crutch, but it has practical implications, i.e. people must change themselves. I appreciate this point, that religion is more than just a (illogical) theory. SHe says religion cannot be appreciated without taking to it's tenets and making them your reality. That is really like the process of sadhana: systematic practice intended to completely re-establish one's identity as a servitor rather than an individual enjoyer. It is a progressive devolopment of our "reality". I have one of her books and it still irks me how she says certain things, but in the setting of TED (an educated secular group) I thought it was quite noteworthy.
At the same time, like you said, she takes the spirit out of spirituality, that is to say, the divine becomes a sacrificial yet mundane experience.