May they hear the Inner Voice

Submitted by Dr Satish K Kapoor (India), Apr 5, 2010 at 21:18

Respected Jaladhi sir,

This is in response to your response about whether the deadly faith which has not changed for the last 1400 years shall change,and whether men of the Religion of the Book would ever see reason.My belief is that they will,one day,in our lifetime or after. Let me elaborate a bit using the expressions we have used in the dialogue. The conscience and the heart are different. Physiologically, one cannot be seen,the other can be.Metaphorically,one can be heard,the other can be felt. Conscience does not take wings even in the case of a criminal because it is the INNER VOICE.It is a different matter that he ignores it. Religion of the heart,.as you rightly say, is religion with a conscience. Humans have religion or faith,not animals who are guided by instincts. You cannot expect a lion to become a herbivore. But a man can change his preferences. The religion of the heart is in contrast to the Religion of the head . If the latter is guided and governed by the former,the man of the Book is transformed - the ordinary coal becomes the diamond.

I am concerned about your concern which is a matter both of the head and the heart. Any community,howsoever stubborn,uncouth or illiberal cannot be simply washed off or eliminated in practical terms. Hitler tried to do it and failed. Those who endeavour to convert the whole world to a particular faith,also will. What we can do at our small levels is to try to change their hearts and influence their minds so that they may see reason and be able to listen to the Inner Voice resonating within them always

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