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One may wonder how various religions could suppress free inquiry
when the founder of every religion had been an inquirer. This difficult
task was accomplished by a simple linguistic trick of literally
interpreting the myths and allegories. Now we know that earth at the
center of the universe was a myth and so was the immutability of
species. There is yet another myth still dear to the believers that
human soul has come from god. And a myth in vogue among the
materialists is that there are no souls. I personally hold a myth that
all souls have as humble an origin as our body.
Any creed opposing a free inquiry is anything but a religion. Yet this
inquiry into morals by science is sure to be vehemently opposed by the
so called religions. The present Pope has already drawn the line. He
has advised the scientists to leave the soul alone as it is directly
created by god. It appears that the Pope, at the threshold of the
third millennium, has conceded the modern cosmology but retained the
moment of Creation; likewise he has conceded the biologically evolved
body to the scientists but retained the soul.
Though it may go against the gospel truth of many religions, many lives
or rebirths add to the glory of god and the majesty of nature. Simply
put, a god granting millions of lives to each soul is any day more
benevolent and merciful than a niggardly god granting a single life.
Science can make a beginning by studying the effects of virtues on
the psycho-physiology of the person as it now better equipped to
measure and analyze the brain activity and behavior. Yoga is a good
example. It is found to reduce inner conflict and impart health and
cheerfulness. Practicing yoga is, then, a desirable virtue. In the same
manner the effects of honesty, truthfulness and compassion may
easily be studied. The idea is to find out the relevance of virtues for
this life, here and now. Its relevance for society is self-evident. A
society made up of honest and truthful members is the avowed social
goal of every moral philosophy and creed. And there are small pockets
of such societies scattered in the world.