A 44 RELIGION IN A CHANGING WORLD: RADHAKRISHNAN

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was an erudite scholar, philosopher and statesman from India. He was the first Vice-President and the second President of India. In his work he has compared the traditions of east and west showing their similarities and comparing them. He has done extensive work on comparative religion. Through his works in English he was able to bring the Indian philosophy to the west.

In this book Dr. Radhakrishnan compares a wide variety of themes that affect the changing world. The book titled “Religion in a changing world” does not just talk about religion. It talks about themes from humanity to disarmament. He has written the book as an academician comparing all religion. He takes a neutral stand and does not pose either as a devotee or an atheist. His writing is polished and professional. His experience in a changing India and as a statesman has influenced the writing very much.

The world is changing fast and the effect of globalisation is on us. Science and its inventions have changed our very way of life. Our life does not resemble anything that our grandparents lived. In this context of scientific influence religion has got many sceptics all over the world. The new generation is dissatisfied with the organized religion. The world is searching for a religion which will answer all questions and one which will explain the unknown. There is no more devout Christian or Hindu. People want answers and explanation which will satisfy everything that a religion says. In this book Dr. Radhakrishnan with his knowledge on comparative religion tries to give a positive outlook to religion. He has explained the very purpose of religion in the changing world and in the future. He has also compared religions of the east and the west and explained how every religion in its basic tenets are almost the same and they stood for the basic good of humanity.

With industrialisation the basic social setup of every society changed. The system of family, religion all had to cope with an urban mind. With the new age reason has found the front seat. It makes men question the traditional systems of philosophy and religion. Dr. Radhakrishnan believes that “all humans on some level have religious instincts but the plane of reason makes them reject it”. In the chapter “the emerging world society” he describes how our narrow visions of different world are changing. With new research we are proving that all men originated from our ancestors in Africa. After years of evolution now we are in a world where the difference is so less. The connectivity is so high and interconnectedness of economy has made the world a “global village”. He is critical of the recent military development and the feeling of nationalism. He calls “nationalism as collective selfishness”. This chapter bring out his excellent knowledge in connecting various fields from anthropology to modern economics.

In the book he describes human nature as inherently good but when in a group we tend to justify things which otherwise might be immoral. The feeling of nationalism has led to war in the history and following it now will lead to human peril. He speaks as an idealist when he describes how men should go from a “national man” to “universal man”. He highly believes in global organisations like United Nations to solve all human problems from hunger to diseases.

Science and religion has been in differences in the recent years. According to the author religion which does not let free inquiry will not survive. He condemns religion of today’s world as it does not stop violence. He has a negative and pessimistic view of the world. He is against the leaders who are materialistic and do not follow what they preach. In the next chapter he brings in the negativities of various religions in the present context. He is very sceptical about the future of religion if they continue in the present way. He also describes the work of religion in the changing world, how they can help about bring peace, equality. Being an expert in contemporary religion he well compares various religion and explains how every religions basic tenet is the same.

Dr Radhakrishnan in the chapter “faith and reason” talks about the evil nature of human beings and it gives us an impression of his theism. He does not insist on the presence of one god or one religion. He talks of God as a supreme being or a power compared to nature. He describes human progress from cannibalism to a peaceful coexisting society. He is very optimistic when he describes the world as a place for development of humans as mature moral beings. Later in the book he goes into philosophical mode where he describes religion as the door to know the reality. For him religion is not about knowledge of scriptures or performing rituals but it is about understanding self.

His knowledge of various religions is well brought to light when he compares all the religion and explains how they might have a common ancestry. He comes out of negativity when he compares the present day religion to that out religion in the past centuries. Religion of the recent times is more open to discussions with other religious scriptures. People look beyond the veils of one’s religion. He talks of religion of the future where all religions are integrated and there is a real unity.

In the continuation of the book Dr. Radhakrishnan shifts from religion to humanity and in it he describes the importance of Democracy. According to him the dignity of an individual lays when he lives a life free from oppression. He praises communism as it promised to bring an end to colonialism and bring about equality of all men. He is against the arms race. Though the cold war days are over still the world has not stopped increasing its share of destructive weapons. According to the author religions of the world has a duty to bring about unity of men removing differences. It has to reduce the evil in men and bring about importance of selfless concern for humanity. This will reduce the necessity for war. The money spent in war and purchasing weapons can be used to make the standard of living of every man better and everyone can live a happy satisfies life. The duty of Sovereign states to bring an oneness of human race.

At the end of the book one understands the influence of Hinduism in his writing. Being an Indian the influence of Gandhi is felt throughout his writing. His writing will appeal to young and the old alike. At times he is either too pessimistic talking about the end of mankind or sometimes the other extreme talking about the goodness of human kind. One feels that the book is highly idealistic as he talks about selfless humans always working towards the unity and happiness of all. A war free world and a world in which countries do not buy or produce weapons are unthinkable in the present society. The book can be taken as a collection of writings giving directions towards a peaceful society. The way he has tried to bridge religions and give them moral authority for bringing about a peaceful society is encouraging. It is a good writing with proper evidence. It can be used around the world to reduce differences among religions.