The problem does not lie with the scriptures of an individual’s faith.
The acid test is how the understanding of the scriptures impacts our lives, how we interpret the message and its impact on our behaviour towards other human beings of all races, colours and creeds.
If the results are negative then we need to examine the psyche fault lines responsible for our warped behaviour – more likely a case for cognitive therapy (psychotherapy). But all therapies are to no avail where issues of radicalism and misinterpretation are deep seated. In the last few days the world has witnessed frenzied attacks on innocent people (including the killing of a priest while holding a Mass – the central act of divine worship in the Christian Church) in France and Germany by radicalised young men under cognitive therapy. Such people are more in need of de-radicalisation and de-programming. They need to re-examine the true meaning of their faith and the correct interpretation of their scriptures.
It is wrong to ascribe our shortcomings and anti-social behaviour to the doctrine of our scriptures. What needs to be tackled, perhaps on a wider scale, is our own interpretation of the scriptures. This will depend on our environment and the company we keep. Our surroundings and social circles have a huge bearing on our values, on how we think and perceive life. Mind is a very fickle and at times unreliable commodity. It can change colour like a chameleon depending on the situation, surroundings and parties involved. Our values and beliefs can take a knock even during the course of a day.
For a staid, stable mind we need to nurture and imbibe noble values which will stand the test of time and tide. A doctrine is not worth the paper it’s written on if it is not based on compassion and sacrifice for our fellow beings, human and otherwise.
‘arshi’ 29 July 2016