Sorry about the longish post.
Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Yes it is not dharma if the wisedom of ages cannot be brought to serve the masses. Equally you will have to realize that only what, the masses can understand and mentally digest can be brought to them. Further if these masses ignore or damage the collective wisedom of ages then they deserve whatever life serves them with.
This is my personal credo w.r.t. dharma education.
Of course, religion must be taught to all, because even within its infirmities, the basic essence is message of Goodness in a pious life. However, as we have seen, religion, even if is essential good, has only achieve in dividing humanity, because of the inherent weakness of Man – to be the Top Gun. Religion was and is, Competitive Religiosity. There lies the danger. There lies the problem if schools teach optional or otherwise, religion.
What should be taught is the education that is useful. At a temporal pragmatic level and which at the same time has the capacity to provide a singular unfettered explanation to the ways of this world. If other religions think that they can match upto this demand of our future generations then yes at least they should have the option to have their kids taught their religion. In fact the good side of these kinds of options would be that pupils get to understand comparative religions and they will be able to build up their own capacity for judgement. Dharmic education cannot ask somebody to be non-judgemental. To form a clear and unconflicted basis of judging the world is the reason dharmic education should be allowed for those who want to follow it. If we do not allow it then we will be stuck with well paid English typists in our work places a few years down the line.
For example, Mr. Kapil Sibal allowed German language to be taught as an option against Sanskrit. And in the English medium schools almost 2/3rd of the classes take up German language. My wife teaches in a school promoted by a Muslim and a lot of muslim kids get sent into this schools. Absolutely all have taken up German. For English education there used to be an economic logic that it will give jobs. That logic does not hold good for German. English education there used to be a cultural logic also in that it was claimed that English is an Indian language. That logic too does not hold good for German. Still those who wish to turn Indians into a foreigner in their own lands using the inducement of multinational jobs and a worthless slick restaurant-ing existence, freely do that, to Hindu kids also.
At the same time Hindu kids are forced to limit their own study to merely Sanskrit and that too only from the Sixty Standard. I for example would like to have my kids taught only the following:
1) Mathematics for obvious reasons.
2) Sanskrit again for obvious reasons.
3) Hindi again for obvious reasons.
4) English so my kids can go on a general cultural cull of those who invaded their country and study the methods of these invaders in invading their country.
5) Vedic studies comprising Vedic anushthanic practices under an experienced Acharya
6) Tarak-Shaastra
7) Law – Both Dharmasmritis of India and Western and Personal laws prevalent in India.
8) Dharmic and Puranic studies again under a qualified ViprAh.
9) Physical education comprising mainly martial fighting techniques and meditative practices.
I would like to do away with History, Geography, Civics, SUPW, Moral Science, Sex Education and the stupid load of so called project work. Additionally I would like my kids to study Sciences only after mastering the essence of the above listed subjects. Further I would absolutely as hell want my kids to avoid western logic.
Unfortunately for my kids there is no school that offers these subjects or is even allowed to offer these. These subjects are not even thought fit to be offered as an option like the German is. I don't know why it is so considered fit by rank strangers for my kids. But unfortunately for me it is. Obviously I am going to do something about it. This state of affairs is merely an English Speakers Jazia on us Hindus.
Why I want this kind of education is because I have formed a firm belief that the kind of education currently being imparted to them will only make a fool out of them. They will become English speaking mail pushers, corporate leaches and in general a dunce. What kind of father wants this for his kids. Equally I have formed a firm belief that my kids can be responsible capable adults only if this kind of education is allowed to them.
The reality as I see it is that other religions would like to avoid the scrutiny outside the safe confines of Madarasas and Divinity Chairs of Western universities and the Church. The clergy of other religions seem to be able to control their message only under certain circumstances (exactly how successful they have been is there as evidence). And because they do not want to expose themselves so they would not allow us Hiindus also to remain at their level of development, forcing an education structure that has German, English, History, Geography, Civics, SUPW, Moral Science, Sex Education, a stupid load of so called project work and utterly useless kind of Physical education.
Why do you think this clamour about Christian churches vandalised and Nun being raped? Is there a clamour when Hindu temples are ravaged and Hindu women raped? Ritubrata Bannerjee, a CPm Chap on TV last night IIRC said there have been no outcries when in the last 08 days 20 rapes have taken place in Bengal. Why? Are they not equal citizen of Bengal as the Nun? The whole issue is Vote Bank, bootlicking the Western interests and nothing more.
As I said I believe this is because they already have the upper hand. They have already held back the development of Hindu kids to a level 'suitable' to that of their own kids.
Unfortunately for such people, even their kids carry enough sense of balance that they ultimately reject their course of studies controlled/inspired through Divinity Chairs and Legalistic nonsense and Wakf Boards and Madris.
This rejection can in their view only be countered through a false existential debate which again they control because of their hold over the Media.
Basically they have held back our kids even as they have decided that the best life for their kids is to be a social climber.
Unfortunately for them I will not allow my kids to go down with their kids. In fact if need be I would like my kids to go help their kids and not ignore their requirements, should their kids ask for help.
But can we blame those who drive our Nation's destiny for being pro Christians. No. Most of them are 'Convent' educated and have subtly been indoctrinated in the Goodness and Compassion of Christ. Like it or not, though none had to attend Biblical classes, the morning prayers were Christian oriented and subtly sending the message of the greatness of Christ and His teachings. Slow indoctrination. Study psy ops and you will realise.
That is why I am against any religious claptrap at Schools or Colleges.
I agree, stupidity is always a choice and we cannot blame the stupid.
I only stand for the choice of my kids (informed choice) to stand apart from these stupids.
Level playing field is all I ask.
DITTO here. And the only way a level playing field can be ensured is by giving choices.
I am livid that these Catholic Goody Two Shoes to include the Indian parasite sold to the Vatican visiting India to 'investigate' as that fool Bellicose Cleemis/ And they are being given so much of publicity in the English media of their 'love, compassion and goodness', when they show no 'love, compassion and goodness' for other rapes and injustices, as the shooting of Christian fishermen by the Italians are glossed over by the same Cardinal scoundrel in favour of the Vatican and Italy.
Hypocrisy at its best.
What can I say. I don't like this state of affairs too. But then this is the end result of this kind of conflict producing education. And as I agreed above with you - Stupidity is a choice.
I will add that it was only NewsX and Rahul Shivshakar who raised the issue as to why it is only Hindu majority-ism to blame for every thing. Does it not put them in a corner and scared?
The whole of Media is up for sale. Even those who are today vociferous supporters of Modi have been purchased by Modi just as others have been purchased by other interested parties in The Great Game of Ghazawa-e-Hind.
The individual reporters may not know how they are purchased only because the purchase and sale decision may be above their pay grade.
And should not all law and order crimes connected to religion be treated at par?
Yes.