From: ssl-authors@googlegroups.com [mailto:ssl-authors@googlegroups.com] Cc: secular-sri-lanka-discussions@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: question
Here are my answers to Nadeesha's questions. My replies follow Nadeesha's quoted text.
"But I have to request you to consider the current state of the country and to analyze whether this is the right time to introduce secularism in the constitution. "
There is no wrong time to promote the use of reason, & to try to pull people away (those who are interested) from fantastic/mythical stories & revealed "truths" (unverifiable) about the nature of life, afterlife, etc.
I don’t think the biggest problem that
Muslims are a small minority in
First of all I would like to ask you several questions and I expect your/your members’ response.
1. By trying to introduce secularism to
Yes, a uniform legal system for all is best.
2. Do you accept Islamic Sharia’h law (even partly) being included in the legal system?
No.
3. What is your opinion about the status of the muslim women in the
a. The minimum marriageable age for both sexes in SL is 18 yrs but for muslim women it is 12 years.
Should be changed to 18.
b. The polygamy is illegal but muslim men are exempted.
Polygamy should be illegal for all.
c. There is no regulation on genital mutilation but it happens in this country, again muslim kids are targeted.
Genital mutilation of kids should be stopped/outlawed/prevented - kids of all religions & those w/ out religions.
d. Property inheritance laws for both sexes are not discriminatory. But for muslim women it is different, they do inherit only a half of what a muslim man inherits.
Inheritance laws should be the same for the entire population.
The Islamic sharia’h law is practiced in marriage issues and inheritance issues. I want to know your response regarding this.
4. If you were vigilant about the current affairs of this country, you will notice a particular trend that muslim youth are being radicalized and they have started following a particular muslim leader known as Dr. Zakir Naik. He can be a great threat to the (some what) secular society that we live in. Instead of questioning and reforming their faith these muslims have started practicing their religion literally. There is a new trend of targeting non-muslims in
Members of various religions are always complaining about others converting people in an unethical or illegal manner. So, basically, if people are actually being kidnapped by whatever religious group & being forced at gun point to convert to some religion then such action seems illegal & the government should stop such actions. Other then that, if there is freedom of religion, then individuals are free to choose whatever religion fits them best, or none at all.
5. Do you think secularism along with Islam is practical? Well my answer would be NO.
A country can have secular governance & still have plenty of believers of various religions.
6. What is your idea about the destruction of Buddhist temples in Kooragala, Pothuvil and Deegawapiya by Muslims?
Illegal destruction of property by anyone is wrong.
I have to say the clause in our constitution as giving prominence to Buddhism has not been really effective. Practically there is no prominence given by the government to the buddhism, it is confined just to a phrase.
The above statement seems incorrect. And, if it is correct, then removing Buddhism from having a prominent place in the constitution will not make a difference to Buddhism in
The politicians go to meet the sangha as a tool of deceiving the general public and not that the buddhist sangha involve in decision making.
Finally what I have to say is thinking about secularism in a country that is targeted by islamists is utterly nonsense without fighting Islam.
Fighting Islam is a non-sensical idea. Islam, just like Buddhism, Christianity, etc. is a popular religion on Earth - a set of ideas, beliefs & practices - the idea of fighting it seems to me a project similar to the idea of fighting people who like music by a certain artist or music in general. Fighting for religious freedom - including being able to be free from religion - on the other hand, is a worthwhile project.
If you introduce secularism now it might help the islamists in their cause in long term rather than making
Freedom of religion, freedom from religion, & secularism are all compatible with liberal or some mainstream versions of Islam. Or, in many secular countries, there are Muslim populations, w/ out a significant conflict between the vast majority of the Muslims, the government, & other people in the country.
Therefore you should give priority on removing this Islamic plague.
Islam is not a plague. Just an ancient religion, similar to Buddhism in that sense - containing extremist & moderate & ultra-liberal wings. For a crash course on extreme Buddhism or Buddhism that opposes & supports the killing of non-believers, taking their land & property - review notes on the centuries long Sinhala-Tamil conflict in SL - the role Buddhism has played in it, the use of Buddhism & other state religions for the Imperial Japanese military conquest projects, use of Buddhism as an organizational tool, including one that supports war/conquest in several ancient Asian kingdoms (Japan, Burma, etc.).
I hope you would consider this seriously and reply me. After all we all want to make Sri Lanka a better place to live in.
Further religious freedom, including freedom from religion, & the enforcement of just laws, & less corruption all around will make SL a better place to live in.
- Sujewa
To: ssl-authors@googlegroups.com
Cc: secular-sri-lanka-discussions@googlegroups.com
Sent: Sun, Aug 15, 2010 3:28 pm
Subject: Fwd: question
Nadeesha has some questions for SSL group ..... I think Prasad sent some answers to these questions earlier, but if anyone else wants to respond please address his questions and concerns with your answers directly to Nadeesha and also please copy the discussions group.
Begin forwarded message:
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, Aug 2, 2010 at 8:40 AM
Subject: question
To: info@secularsrilanka.com
I came across your website recently however spent a lot of time reading your material and I thought I have some suggestions to make. I am a university student and I too have a certain point of view of the way our country is going on, its political sphere, religious and cultural sphere. First of all I will disclose my background to you before presenting my criticism/suggestions. I come from a Sinhalese Buddhist background and I know so are most of you. However I am not an atheist, but I too have a criticism against organized religion as they have done more harm to the world than any good. I would say I am a philosophical Buddhist, but I do not find wrong in any one believing in god and doing rituals as long as they do not violate the human rights. I also dream of a secular
I am frequent visitor of richarddawkis.net and I have a certain idea about secularism. I read a lot about the secularist movement in western countries and always have been thinking why we do not have such a movement in
But I have to request you to consider the current state of the country and to analyze whether this is the right time to introduce secularism in the constitution. I don’t think the biggest problem that
1. By trying to introduce secularism to
2. Do you accept Islamic Sharia’h law (even partly) being included in the legal system?
3. What is your opinion about the status of the muslim women in the
a. The minimum marriageable age for both sexes in SL is 18 yrs but for muslim women it is 12 years.
b. The polygamy is illegal but muslim men are exempted.
c. There is no regulation on genital mutilation but it happens in this country, again muslim kids are targeted.
d. Property inheritance laws for both sexes are not discriminatory. But for muslim women it is different, they do inherit only a half of what a muslim man inherits.
The Islamic sharia’h law is practiced in marriage issues and inheritance issues. I want to know your response regarding this.
4. If you were vigilant about the current affairs of this country, you will notice a particular trend that muslim youth are being radicalized and they have started following a particular muslim leader known as Dr. Zakir Naik. He can be a great threat to the (some what) secular society that we live in. Instead of questioning and reforming their faith these muslims have started practicing their religion literally. There is a new trend of targeting non-muslims in
5. Do you think secularism along with Islam is practical? Well my answer would be NO.
6. What is your idea about the destruction of Buddhist temples in Kooragala, Pothuvil and Deegawapiya by Muslims? I have to say the clause in our constitution as giving prominence to Buddhism has not been really effective. Practically there is no prominence given by the government to the buddhism, it is confined just to a phrase. The politicians go to meet the sangha as a tool of deceiving the general public and not that the buddhist sangha involve in decision making.
Finally what I have to say is thinking about secularism in a country that is targeted by islamists is utterly nonsense without fighting Islam. If you introduce secularism now it might help the islamists in their cause in long term rather than making
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