Those Whom God Wishes To Destroy, He First Deprives Of Reason

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 19 January 2024 “Nationalism is our form of incest, is our idolatry, is our insanity. 'Patriotism’ is its cult. In less educated and enlightened societies, religion and nationalism are entwined and they create divisions." Erich Fromm, quoted by Anthony Grayling in The Good Book: A Humanist Bible What Erich Fromm observed in 1946, is very much obvious. The proponents of this toxic faith are asserting that those who're against Ram Mandir are against India! In other words, if one refrains from saying Jai Sri Ram, he/she is a Deshdrohi (traitor). The intensity of your Ram Bhakti decides your love for the country. In a city like Poona, which is considered to be a 'cultured' city, Hindus, even Jains, are greeting each other saying Jai Sri Ram. Good morning, good afternoon and good evening have disappeared. Now Ram Naam is all-pervading. In his book, "Religion Within The Bounds Of Bare Reason," Immanuel Kant wrote that, "When a religion is systematically promoted, it influences an individual's reasoning. Then it influences the reasoning of a larger group. Gradually, all people get influenced by it." Hindus, though they believed in Ram, were least bothered about the Phenomenon of Ram as late as 2018. But now the situation is different. Entire country is chanting Jai Sri Ram. Now, the name of Ram is an electoral tool and a metaphor for social mobilization. Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius warned two millenniums ago that a king who dwelt too much upon gods , would sooner or later realize his blunder. Will this megalomaniac leader at the helm learn even a semblance from Marcus Aurelius's advice? But the question is, has he ever heard the name of Marcus Aurelius, let alone, read him? I seriously doubt it. At the moment, the whole nation is in the throes of Ram and if you say anything against the ongoing madness, you may jeopardise your life or limbs. People are mad about Ram and it reminds me of the famous Latin adage, "Quos Deus Vult Perdere, Prius Dementat " (literally: Those whom god wishes to destroy, he first deprives of reason). A German newspaper recently wrote in its editorial that it's indeed strange as to how almost all Hindus of a huge country like India are collectively convinced in the name of a religion and its particularly revered character. This is not a compliment. This is criticism in disguise. January 22 is being projected as a Golden-Letter-Day in the modern history of India. But to me, it's the birthday of my favourite English poet Lord Byron who said, " God and religion are for those who're cerebrally deficient." By the way, Poona has a Byron Appreciation Club comprising the lovers and connoisseurs of Byron's sublime poetry. They meet on Jan 22 and April 19 (the day he passed away) and discuss his great poetry. Let's hope they don't talk on Ram Mandir when they meet on Jan 22! ---- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/god-wishes-destroy-deprives-reason/d/131548 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism