== A CASE OF MODERN BLINDNESS ==
Namaskar,
Many have deep faith that modern science, not religion, is based on the
search for truth and that it is modern science which is the greatest
tool of humanity. Science is often regarded as the god of modern day
society and that it is science which will solve all of our global problems.
However, science does not exist in a vacuum: The guiding force behind it
is the human mind. And son long as a capitalist mentality, or racist
mentality, or naive mind is pushing science forward, there are bound to
be loopholes, if not gaping holes, in scientific knowledge.
So the way science is used today is far from this ideal. And one of the
main problems is that in numerous cases science is manipulated to
promote so-called in-born racial differences.
WE VALUE SCIENCE WHEN....
Of course, as Ananda Margiis, we deeply respect the value of science.
Baba guides us to advocate for more and more scientific research. So in
our Marga, science is also highly honored-- under one condition: So long
as it is guided by the rational & benevolent intellect.
Baba says, "Science is also for service and blessedness. Science should
always be utilized for the proper progress of human society." (AFPS-7)
THE WAY SCIENCE IS USED TODAY:
A TOOL TO PROMOTE RACIAL DIVISION
Unfortunately, often the way science is used today does not meet up to
Baba's ideal. Much of science is used by war mongers for crude weaponry
and and many scientific findings are for put forward which promote
racial differences.
There are innumerable studies released by scientists which give findings
based on race alone such as: Blacks do not live as long; Blacks have
higher cholesterol; blacks are less intelligent based on the shape of
their head; Hispanics have more difficulty learning; Lung Diseases
Disproportionately Affect Minorities; Whites have a higher IQ than
blacks; etc.
Especially in the western world where "scientific studies" are used to
measure each and every aspect of life, the idea creeps in-- blatantly
and not so blatantly-- that there are in-born differences between the
various races. That some races have a greater proclivity for certain
endeavours.
But such findings only promote racial divisiveness, impose an
inferiority complex on a particular race, and give the idea that 'God'
created one race better than another.
A few decades back, such types of blind studies were the absolute norm.
They were trying to scientifically prove racial superiority, especially
of whites over blacks.
Yet even today-- in this modern 21st century-- there are studies which
point in this direction: As if there is an inborn qualitative difference
between one race and another.
SOCIAL & ECONOMIC FACTORS OVERLOOKED
OR NOT PROPERLY EMPHASIZED
So even in today's modern era, studies might show that 'blacks have a
75% greater chance of being arrested and put in jail'. And all too often
the how's and the why's are overlooked, or just given minor review.
Because in this era of white-bred capitalism, where the European races
have distinct control, then surely so many factors from schooling to
economic gain to social standing play a distinct role in differences of
human development. Those races that have less economic might, or less
opportunity to attend university etc will surely be more prone to
stealing and other crimes. But not because of race, but due to various
social and economic factors.
So although science has shown some signs of breaking out of this slump--
as compared with decades ago. Still it is lagging far behind.
And performing studies solely on the basis of race is bound to create
more and more division. Saying that blacks are more prone toward teenage
pregnancy and making it into a racial issue as a headline is as
ridiculous as saying that white overseas Margiis have a longer life span
that Margiis of Nairobi sector or that Indian born Margiis have a
greater rate of becoming acaryas etc.
Here the whole point is that making conclusive statements based on race
is the blindness of modern science. Social and economic and cultural
conditions must be taken into account. However still today the
differences found in socio-economic conditions is talked about in the
small print and the headlines of countless studies point towards in-born
racial differences.
Of course in our Marga we give no credence to such findings.
ALL RACES HAVE EQUAL MERIT AND VALUE
In all these following quotations Baba clearly advances the notions that
the existential value of all human beings is the same. And surely all in
AM hold this ideal in our heart. Yet this remains one point of serious
division in the general society. And until modern science wholly adopts
this idea, racist theories on the point of health, wealth, intelligence,
longevity etc will continue to pollute scientific findings, to some or
more degree.
Here then are the neo-humanistic ideals that must enter into the
thinking and vision of today's scientists-- then and only then can we
consider that science has entered the modern age. Till then it it will
still be hounded by racial and social blindness.
Baba says, "Let us consider the case of race. Many people identify
themselves with a particular race. If we look deeply into the subject we
come to the conclusion that the human race is one. Some people have
black skin, some people have yellow skin, and some people have white
skin. Does it make any difference to the inner human being? No, none
whatsoever." (AFPS-3)
Baba says, "In our Ananda Marga the first step that a person takes is to
forget their race or sect and to no longer identify with their race,
caste, or sect, regardless of whether their race was superior or
inferior. Racial prejudices are very predominant...In our Ma'rga there
are no such considerations: these petty differences among human beings
are not given any importance. (TP)
Baba says, "Tantra does not recognize any racial, [or]
genealogical...differences among human beings." (Shra'van'ii Pu'rn'ima'
1959)
By all His above teachings, Baba clearly guides us that there are no
differences between human and human-- all are one.
So until scientists-- and those capitalists funding scientists-- stop
looking for trends in racial qualities and instead look entirely at
social and economic factors, modern science will continue to suffer from
a certain degree of blindness-- thereby promoting divisiveness in
today's global society.
BABA'S BLESSING
By Baba's grace our AM society will spread the sweet tune of
neo-humanistic feeling across the world and it will become embedded in
all the approaches of life, including "modern-day science".
Baba says, "In our Ma'rga the seeds of an ideal humanity are sown from
the very beginning of life and humanity as a whole is considered as one
family belonging to the race of living beings. In such a society
injustice due to economic, sexual or racial considerations will be
unknown." (PNS-3)
Namaskar,
Vinay
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Hankering For Knowledge Invites Degeneration
Baba says, "Those who have vanity of knowledge, although they do not
expressly beseech this from the Supreme, but rather think inwardly that
the Supreme should bestow an enormous wealth of knowledge upon them --
this type of person is reborn as vidya'dhara." (YP, p.79)
Note: Vidya'dhara is one type of microvita that is under punishment.
Such type of unfortunate beings got degenerated and became microvita. So
they are suffering and they long to once again get human life. But this
will come only after they escape from the noose of the long-term bondage
and state of punishment etc.
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