SURiMOUNT

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

MY JOURNAL : THE WORD, IDEOLOGY, SCARES ME !

As promised in my previous post of November 18, 2024 regarding RFVIVAL OF MY JOURNAL, I am posting my first serious article on a very sensitive and important topic.

Your kind encouragement and support will be highly appreciated. Looking for your valuable, constructive comments, sincere opinion and criticisms.

Your input will enrich the conversation and help me refine my thoughts.

To ensure responsible sharing, I've committed to:

1. Verifying statistics through reputable sources.

2. Fact-checking with Meta AI for accuracy.

3. Avoiding libelous content.

Join me on this journey as I explore complex issues, seek truth, and foster meaningful discussions.

Here we go:

THE WORD, IDEOLOGY, SCARES ME!

All fundamentalists including religious like Judaic, Islamic or any other and the communistic or radical fighting politicians hate democracy. So peace and harmony or peaceful coexistence remain elusive, a mirage for the world, even after a thousand years. I am not being cynical. Any strong ideology-based politics could only lead to violence and more violence, as it promotes intolerance and is never inclusive. That is why the word, *ideology* scares me.

In the name of ideology, millions of innocent people, especially women and children have been brutally massacred/slaughtered worldwide.

Tyrants like Hitler, Stalin, Mao and Pol Pot readily come to my mind. Estimating the exact number of deaths attributed to these leaders is challenging due to varying sources, records, and historical interpretations. However, here are some commonly cited statistics:

1. *Adolf Hitler (Nazi Germany, 1933-1945)*:

- Holocaust: 6 million Jews killed (source: Yad Vashem)

- Total deaths attributed to Nazi regime: 11-17 million (source: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum)

2. *Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union, 1922-1953)*:

- Estimated deaths due to Stalin's policies: 20-40 million (source: Historian Timothy Snyder)

- Deaths during the Ukrainian famine (Holodomor): 3-5 million (source: Ukrainian government estimates)

3. *Mao Zedong (China, 1949-1976)*:

- Estimated deaths due to Mao's policies: 40-80 million (source: Historian Frank Dikötter)

- Deaths during the Great Leap Forward: 20-45 million (source: Various estimates)

4. *Pol Pot (Democratic Kampuchea, 1975-1979)*:

- Estimated deaths due to Khmer Rouge policies: 1.7-2.2 million (source: Documentation Center of Cambodia)

- Deaths due to executions, forced labor, and starvation: 25% of Cambodia's population (source: Various estimates)

(Please note that these numbers are approximate and may vary depending on the source.)

So, as a person who loves peace and harmony, I am scared of the word, IDEOLOGY.

Ideologies are meant or should be for the uplift and welfare of the people. If you are going to massacre/slaughtere people, mostly innocent people of which the majority is invariably hapless, vulnerable women and children, to hell with them and the people behind them.

We should strongly condemn the use of violence, massacre, and slaughter to achieve ideological goals, and should not hesitate to express our outrage and disgust towards those who perpetrate such atrocities.

Fundamentalism, regardless of its roots in religion or politics, can indeed pose a significant threat to democracy and peaceful coexistence. The rigid adherence to ideology can lead to intolerance, exclusion, and even violence.

Here are some sobering statistics and real-life instances that highlight the horrors of human suffering and misery resulting from intolerance and exclusiveness:

Racism and Xenophobia

There are approximately 160 million Dalits (Untouchables) in India suffering from the caste system. However, it is heartening to note the condition of dalits is changing day by day after the advent of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr B R Ambedkar, Father of the Indian Constitution and some other statesman and leaders.

Now, discrimination of dalits is a punishable offence under the Indian Penal Code. (2 years rigorous imprisonment)

All parties try to woo the dalits as they are now a very powerful part of the electorate.

Job reservations and reservation of seats in all educational institutions are definitely making their lot better.

Now dalits occupy many coveted positions in government and private organizations.

Why the First Citizen of India, President of India, Mrs Droupadi Murmu is a dalit!

Likewise, their presence is felt in all walks life and in higher echelons of power like courts from the lower to the highest, educational institutions, Parliament and State Legislatures.

Still discrimination exists in some packets here and there.

Attack on Hindus and other minorities and wanton destruction of Hindu temples in various countries, especially Bangladesh, are very disturbing.

Unwonted and unprovoked destruction of temples is not new to Hindus. According to one statistics, more than 40, 000 temples were destroyed during the reign of foreign rulers, especially the Moghuls. Of course, there were some rulers who fostered unity between the various communities like Akbar, the Great.

In the USA, race is a key factor in determining who is sentenced to death.

Antisemitism

Antisemitism has been widespread in European history, with the Holocaust being a devastating example, resulting in the systematic murder of six million Jews.

Discrimination Against Roma

Roma women have been subjected to involuntary sterilization in hospitals in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary, even in the 21st century.

Hate-Motivated Crimes

Racist ideology continues to fuel hate-motivated crimes, which are regularly reported in many Council of Europe member states.

Structural Discrimination

Structural discrimination perpetuates inequality, with certain groups having limited access to power, decision-making, and resources.

These statistics and instances serve as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of intolerance and exclusiveness. It's essential to recognize and address these issues to promote a more inclusive and equitable society.

History has shown us that extremism, whether it's religious or communistic, can have devastating consequences. The emphasis on dogma over human life and dignity can create divisions that seem insurmountable.

However, it's essential to remember that not all ideologies are inherently violent or destructive. Many philosophies and faiths promote peace, understanding, and coexistence. For instance, Islam's concept of "Ijtihad" (independent reasoning) encourages critical thinking and intellectual discourse ¹. Similarly, initiatives like the UAE's promotion of peaceful coexistence and tolerance demonstrate that some nations prioritize unity and diversity.

PATHWAYS TO PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE

Interfaith Dialogue

Encouraging open discussions between different faith communities can foster understanding and empathy.

Education and Critical Thinking

Promoting critical thinking and intellectual discourse can help mitigate the spread of extremist ideologies.

Inclusive Governance

Ensuring that democratic institutions prioritize the well-being and dignity of all citizens, regardless of their background or beliefs.

While the challenges seem daunting, it's crucial to recognize that there are many individuals and organizations working tirelessly to promote peace and understanding. By acknowledging the complexities of these issues and engaging in respectful dialogue, we can move closer to a world where diversity is celebrated, and peaceful coexistence becomes the norm.

As we move forward, it's essential that we prioritize promoting peace, understanding, and coexistence. By working together and fostering a culture of empathy and inclusivity, we can create a brighter future for all.

The challenges posed by fundamentalism and exclusiveness require a collective response. Let us come together to promote tolerance, understanding, and peaceful coexistence, and work towards creating a world where diversity is celebrated and all individuals can thrive.

Despite the challenges we face, I remain hopeful and optimistic about our ability to create a more peaceful and harmonious world. By sharing our stories, listening to each other's perspectives, and working together towards a common goal, we can overcome even the most daunting obstacles and build a brighter future for all.

As we reflect on the importance of promoting peace and understanding, let us ask ourselves: what can I do today to make a positive impact in my community and contribute to a more harmonious world?

Grateful thanks to Meta AI for the invaluable Ideas/ Suggestions/ Statistics. 🙏🙏🙏

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Monday, November 25, 2024

Sunday, November 24, 2024

Saturday, November 23, 2024

Friday, November 22, 2024

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Monday, November 18, 2024

REVIVING MY JOURNAL: Seeking Truth and Accuracy

Reviving MY JOURNAL: Seeking Truth and Accuracy

As I prepare to revive my column, MY JOURNAL, I'm compelled to address the disturbing information that's been weighing on my mind. The barrage of concerning news and opinions has made it increasingly challenging to remain silent.

I invite your constructive comments, suggestions, improvements, and ideas. Your input will enrich the conversation and help me refine my thoughts.

To ensure responsible sharing, I've committed to:

1. Verifying statistics through reputable sources.

2. Fact-checking with Meta AI for accuracy.

3. Avoiding libelous content.

Join me on this journey as I explore complex issues, seek truth, and foster meaningful discussions.