Intellectual hypocrisy is not a myth, it’s a
reality. Secular views are not a by product of any anti religious
sentiments. It’s a refinement of ones intellectual journey to embrace a
broader sphere in life where freedom of thinking becomes the basis of our
existence. I am really puzzled by Tariq Ali’s transformation from a
revolutionary to a religious reactionary. During the prime time of life he
stood as a standard bearer of truth and justice and now when it’s time show
his wisdom he became a religious fanatic. Should we say he never sincerely
stood for the cause he pretended to be fighting for or never understood the
real meaning of intellectual honesty? Magdi Allam, a prominent Italian Muslim recalcitrant who has
converted to Christianity, is a very recent example of how shaky a so
called intellectual’s integrity could be. His conversion is a slap on his
own face as person who struggled against religious fanaticism. As a person
who is so weak that he could not find a place in the wide world of freedom.
His weakness has compelled him to take shelter from one cage to another. Magdi is a prime example of intellectual hypocrisy.
Many people does not really appreciate the fact that if
the fundamental aim of any religion is to influence it’s followers to become
good and truthful persons, than at a certain stage Cahill Gibran stands
vindicated. The only thing that prevents people from discovering this truth
is the fear they inherit from the dogmas of their religions. The power of a
secular person emanates from the fountains of that supreme understanding
that without freedom life can never be understood in its proper
perspective.
Modern secularism is very much attached to the idea of
individualism. In the final analysis an individual only follows his/her own
religion. Even if it looks like that the individual is attached to any institutionalised religion. In philosophical terms this
inherent truth is not understood by all. How an individual responds his own
religious instincts is illustrated in a story from the Upanishada.
A sage was once sitting next to a river bank and a scorpion fell in the
water. The sage picked it up and placed it on dry land. In the process the
scorpion bit the sage's hand. Later on the scorpion fell in the water once
again. Once again the sage picked it up from the water and placed it on dry
land. Noticing this, one of his disciples asked the sage why he repeatedly
saved the life of the scorpion even though it bit him. The sage replied:
"It is the dharma of the scorpion to bite. It is my dharma to save
lives. That is why it bit my hand. And that is why I saved its
life."
Akbar Hussain