The Fundamentalism And Caste Conflict Phenomenons Religion Essay

The Fundamentalism And coterie Conflict Phenomenons righteousness EssayFundamentalism and Casteism argon considered as 2 varied phenomenons. Whereby both these confinesinologies flip been commenceed believably as varied issues lying in the p resent Indian scenario. Conflict, as thoroughly, seems to be considered as the outcome of these issues. However, there is an essay make in this motif to find out firstly, what fundamentalism elbow room, secondly how fundamentalism becomes the base for Casteism thirdly how Casteism paved the way of feel for contrasting skirmishs and finally, this paper deals with the Pastoral Response from the Pastoral Care and counsel perspective to the club booking situation, which emerged from fundamentalism. Though Fundamentalism itself has the wide range of definition and yet not confined to a point definition, in order to limit the scope of this paper, the definition of the term Fundamentalism is narrowed down to the arseal under indors eing of the Caste body. Nevertheless, this paper tries to sinkact with these isms from their basic understanding and what upshot they have brought to the society.1. Fundamentalism What does it mean?Fundamentalism is the practice of side by side(p) very purely the basic rules and teachings of any religion defines Oxford Advance learners Dictionarys seventh edition. Steven Jones, a research scholar from Virginia University describes that the term fundamentalism was initiated in the series of booklets authored and published by leading Evangelical churchmen in US amongst 1910 and 1915. However, the term was presumptuousness full strength in 1920 after Curtis Lee Laws appropriated the term fundamentalist as a identification for those who were ready to do battle royal for the Fundamentals. M.M.Thomas comments, These booklets opposed the application of modern critical historical approach to the bible and the traditional dogmas of messiahianity, because in their opinion, it would d estroy their supranatural and supernatural elements which belong to their very essence.Though the definition of this term has wide range of meaning, yet a fundamentalist is reckoned as the strict fol displace of a particular religions teachings and its tones. James Barr states Fundamentalism is based on a particular kind of spiritual tradition, and uses the take a shit, preferably than reality, of biblical laterality to provide a shield for this tradition. Even, Bruce Lawrence in his book Defenders of God defines fundamentalism as The affirmation of religious ascendance as holistic and absolute, admitting of neither criticism nor reduction it is expressed through the collective expect that specialised creedal and ethical dictates derived from the scriptures be publicly recognized and legally enforced. David Frawley affects that, Fundamentalists generally hold to their religions older fond customs and refuse to integrate into the broader stream of modern society which recog nizes freedom of religious belief. In savvy to this statement, Dr.Ramendra identifies, fundamentalism means belief inthe literal fairness of religious scriptures and fundamental religious beliefs of any religion. For Altmeyer and Hunsinger fundamentalism is the belief that there is one set of religious teachings that clearly contains the fundamental, basic, intrinsic, essential, inerrant truth about military personnelity and deity that this essential truth is fundamentally opposed by forces of evil which must be vigorously fought that this truth must be followed today check to the fundamental, unchangeable practices of the past and that those who believe and follow these fundamental teachings have a special relationship with the deity. As a whole, though the term fundamentalism is widely used with different connotations, still it weednot be denied that the term basically used with religious notion and it stands for it till today whether stand for inerrancy of truth or militancy in its outlook. M.M.Thomas, Citing V.M.Tarkhundess statement, says Fundamentalism consists of unscholarly adherence to ancient beliefs and practices.On the other hand, Fundamentalism is probably viewed as the counter institution to Liberalism, Modernism and Secularism. The fundamentalist pass awayment tries to preserve what it considers the basic ideas of Christianity against criticism by gravid theologians. Fundamentalism designates what is more generally called a conservative type of Christian thought, as opposed to the liberal or modernist tendencies. M.M.Thomas states It may also tog out from the insecurity of faith when its religious expressions are faced with the prerequisite to change.and Fundamentalism emerged out of reaction to closed secularism Erskine Clarke utters that Fundamentalists resist secularisation and the cultural elements of modernity Accordibng to Marsden, an Ameri bathroom fundamentalist is an evangelistic who is militant in op fleck to liberal theology in the churches or to changes in cultural value or mores, such as those associated with secular humanism. In his note, he says, in recent years been apply by analogy to any militantly traditional religion, such as Islamic fundamentalism. M.M.Thomas opines, It is justifiable to characterise as fundamentalist similar movements in any religion which onlytress traditional beliefs and social order from rejuvenate or changeOver all, Fundamentalism can be defined as strictly following of religious beliefs and traditions as well as it is a counter attitude against modernity which hails secularism and liberalism. With this definition, let us move on to analyse the caste ashes in India.2. Caste Does it emerge from Fundamentalism?On its outlook, everyone would say that Caste trunk is probably not an outcome of Fundamentalism because both of them are different issues. Whereby, in this paper an furrow is proposed that Casteism in India is one of the yields of Fundamentalism. Though Caste System itself has the attitude of fundamentalism, the primary focus of this paper is how Casteism can be the victim of fundamentalism. There were many a(prenominal) who fought wish B.R.Ambedkar, Periyar, Jothiba Phule and Panditha Ramambai for the eradication of this canker system, hence it still rules the Indian society because of its deep roots in the Indian Soil. In order to substantiate the argument, it is good to view the definition and origin of the Caste system in India.The word caste, which is of Spanish and Portuguese origin, is derived from Latin Castus which means pure. However, the Portuguese word casta means breed, race or kind. It seems that the word was used by the Portuguese to consult Indian social classification says Bal Krishna Sharma. Seligman describes caste as an endogamous and hereditary subdivision of an ethnic building block occupying a position of superior or low-level rank or social esteem in comparison with other such subdivision. Nesfield and Sir H. Risley also bind this view. Ketkar defines caste as (1) membership is confined to those who are born of members and includes all mortals so born (2) the members are forbidden by an inexorable social fair play to marry outside the group. Thus, caste is a stratified system in which each segment has its individuation with a common name, origin and strictly specified inter-group relations. Each group is endogamous, traditionally following an origin and enjoying a particular postion in the social hierarchy, built around the opposition of purity and pollution. The groups are local anaestheticised, but keep social distance between them.However, Casteism arises out of Hindoo philosophy and becomes the beacon of the unique individualal identity of the Hindi Society. Oxford Dictionary defines as any of the four main division of the Hindu society, originally than made according to function in the society. T.K.Oomen states, What is unique to India is the all pervasive Caste hierarchy, legitimised through the Hindu school of thought of Karma and reincarnation. P.K.Kar elucidates that the beginning of Caste system is in the Hindu philosophy of four varnas. Ambrose Pinto cites Ambedkars view that the sanction foundation the caste system is the religious sanction, for, the caste as the new form of varna system derives its sanction from the Vedas which form the sacred books of the Hindu religion and which are infallible. I say unfortunately because anything, which has a religious sanction, becomes by virtue of it sacred and eternal. To the Hindu, caste is sacred and caste is eternal. Max Weber Cited by Toppo states, Caste, that is, the ritual and rights and duties it gives and imposes, and the position of the Brahmans, is the fundamental institution of Hinduism. Before everything else, without caste there is no Hindu. Thus, the caste system in India belongs to Hindu Philosophy which emerges from Vedas and Upanishads. Whereas this system is cemented by the code of M anu, called Manava Dharma Shastra or Manusmirti. Dr.Ramendra says, check to Manusmriti, anybody who argues critically and logically aboutdharmashastras ought to be ostracized.With the above information, let us now look at the similarities between Fundamentalism and Casteism. Basically, both these isms consider the religious beliefs, teachings, and tradition as their base. Another aspect is their strong opposition to modernism. While modernism supports liberalism and secularism, the caste system in India can witness its strong roots in the Indian Soil. For which, the recent issues like detect Killing, the atrocities against Dalits and the demand for caste base census all show the very fact that though India achieves many things with modernity, yet is under the strong bondage of Casteism. Dr.K.S.Jacob states, While the secular, socialistic and democratic principles enshrined in the constitution demand equality of outcomes, the inherent caste-related inequality continues to dominate reality in Indian society. M.M.Thomas claims ,Purity and impurity ideas were the religious foundation of caste and it is the return to it by the middle class for spiritual and economic stability that makes their shift from secularism to hindutva.It is torture nigh to note the caste embracement is not only of Hinduism, but also it has its strong footage in Isalam and Christianity too in the recent past. One may probably question, why such evil system in these religions? The resultant role drawn by Koilaparampil when talking about Caste among Christians, he states the rank of the Christian in the local club continues to depend on the Caste from which he was converted and this persists to the third and forth generation. As M.M.Thomas states Fundamentalism consists of uncritical adherence to ancient beliefs and practices may probably support this notion when we compare Caste among Christian and Fundamentalism. As Caste is considered important for identification, may also support the above view.Finally both these issues may likely lead towards meshing or violence. The recent murder in Khairlanji, a village in Maharashtra depicts the assure of the caste systems rule yet in Indian soil. Thus, Casteism can probably consider as the fruit of fundamentalism and this leads to the drive home day Caste conflicts.3. ConflictEtymologically the term conflict is derived from con-fligere (Latin) denoting to strike together. It implies fight, clash, sharp or around the bend disagreement or even antagonism. Rachel Bagh cites William W.Wilmot and Joyce L.Hockers definition conflict is an expressed struggle between at to the lowest degree two interdependent parties who perceive incompatible goals, scarce, resources, and interference from others in achieving their goals. Alan C.FIlley defines conflict as a fulfill which takes place between two or more parties. By parties he refers to individuals, groups, or organizations. Whereby, he explains, deep down our various social relationships are some which involve real or perceived differences between two or more parties. Where the interests of the parties are mutually exclusive that is, where the gain of one partys goal is at the greet of the others, or where the parties have different values- then the resulting social interaction between the parties contains fertile ground for conflict. According to Lewis A.Coser, conflict is a struggle oer values or claims of status, power and scarce resources, in which the aims of the conflict parties are not only to gain the desired values but also to neutralize, injure or eliminate their rivals. Such conflicts may take place between individuals and between collectivities. Intra group as well as inter group conflicts are perennial feature of social life. B.J.Prashantham states Incompatible goals and means of achieving them can lead conflicts in inter-personal relations as would, differences in perception, chat styles, temperament differences, personal interests a nd ideology. Thus, Maria Arul rajah comments, Whenever human agency is live(a) and active, they appear rather clearly, in a positive or contradict manner. Conflict, thus. Can be defined as the struggle between two persons or parties aiming at some goal to achieve.Conflict is categorised under four divisions they are intra-personal, inter-personal, intra-group and inter-group.Intra-PersonalIt is conflict within a person. Murry states that according to psychologists there is a crowd in each of us. For which he elucidates, there is a conflict between the spending self and saving self of a person when he received money. For him, Sigmund Freuds theory of a person as a composite of cardinal forces (the Id, the Ego, the Super-Ego) each with different wishes and standards and Eric Bernes theory of a person as a composite of three different ego-states (Parent ego, Adult ego, and Child ego) with three different attitudes to life and the environment, are the best witnesses for explaining i ntra personal conflict.Inter-PersonalThis is a conflict between two individuals. Each person has different needs, values system, a world view and wants. When people with these differing dispositions meet, they clash. The difference may further widen by difference in sex, race, class and creed and social conflict becomes inevitable.Intra-Group and Inter-GroupInter-group and even intra-group conflict can arise due to differences in goals, values, loyalties and heritage. Race, region, creed, nationalities, and ideologies are among the factors causing inter-group conflicts. Members of different groups develop inter-group loyalties and perceive the other groups with disinterest, prejudice, and antagonism.Therefore, conflict arises in any one form of the above. It is important to note that a persons behaviour may affect his personality as well as others. Alfred Adler states that a man is motivated primarily by social urges. behaviorist therapy considers outward behaviours are the result of faulty, maladaptive learning from the environment. So, conflict in the inter personal or inter group level may spring out because of the intra personal conflict. Besides, for the interpersonal conflicts, P.K.Kar narrates, lower castes in India who are disabled from the social, economic, educational and religious viewpoint, most often become aware of their position and resent oppression and discrimination by higher castes. This change in the outlook of the lower castes culminates in inter caste conflicts. The Khairlanji Murder is the best example of this cause. Another present reality issue in the Indian scenario is Honour killings. This issue is the reaction to inter-caste marriages is much stronger and violent when the girl marries a dalit or into a lower caste than her own, Says Times of India.Knowing the fact that the Caste is one of the sources of conflict, now we move on to the neighboring section where we can draw some useful responses to resolve the conflict from the Past oral Care and Counselling perspective.4. A Pastoral Response to Caste ConflictPastoral Care and Counselling in the voice communication of William A.Clebsch and Charles R.Jackle is defined as a helping act, done by representative Christian persons, directed towards the healing, sustaining, guiding, and harmonise of troubled persons whose troubles arise in the context of ultimate meanings and concerns. Thus, a Pastor or a Christain proponent is the one who helps people in times of their trouble. For which, C.W.Bristar expresses, the Churchs ministry is personal and social, ranging from individual salvation and guidance to mutual support and social welfare. Rachel Bagh refers that we are called to the ministry of reconciliation/peacemaking (2Cor. 517-20). So, the role of the counseling in the conflict resolution is important and necessary in order to help persons to liberate from the bondage of Conflict. Probably, there may be priseive(a) opinions and suggestion for the conflic t resolution, hence hereby some pastoral responses are placed knowingly the terminus ad quem of this paper.Preparation of the CounsellorIn order to have a fruitful reconciliation ministry, the preparation of the Counsellor is crucial. For which Augsburger suggests that the mediators seek progressively sharpen their basic skills of empathy, active listening, sensitivity to needs of parties, sense of timing, verbal and non-verbal communication skills, capacity to maintain neutrality while remaining in contact, and ability to understand the stages of negotiation and conflict resolution. Along with this, Rachel Bagh suggests that the mediator should be trustworthy and confidential. Besides, the counsellor need to sense the presence of Holy warmness and can probably utilise religious recourses (like Prayer, Scripture and etc.) and Religious symbols (Theological symbols like Grace, forgiveness, Atonement and so on) in the counselling process. Thus, the preparation of the counsellor is n ecessary before the counselling process starts in caste conflict resolution.Preparation of the CounseleePreparing for AcceptanceAcceptence is the basic aspect in conflict resolution. Conflict arise when one person thinks that he is superior. Both Fundamentalism and caste sytem have the attitude of Superiority. Whereby others those who dont follow the norms of the fundamentalists are considered as the enemies of fundamentalism. This attitude creates conflict. The inferior attitude of oneself leads to inferiority complex, aggression, fear, anxiety and so on. This postulates the intrapersonal conflict. Whereby, superior attitude leads to interpersonal or inter-group conflict too. The counsellor needs to encourage the client to consider other human as human and should help him/her to respect each other. As Carl Rogers proposes, Unconditional Positive Regard need to be important in firmness of purpose the problem. The best example of this conductance would be Jesus. As Murry states, Ch ristians are the members of the new humanity in Christ whose thoughts and actions are directed by the principles of Christ. Thus, the counsellor helps the client to prepare himself to accept each other.Encouraging for mania your NeighbourAnother important aspect in conflict resolution is encouraging the client to turn in other even enemies. Rational emotive Therapy of Albert Ellis highlights irrational beliefs and perception leads to distortion of personality. Both caste system and Fundamentalism imposes hatred rather complete with the irrational religious beliefs. For example, Ambrose Pinto in his article Caste conflict in Karnataka, indirectly quotes the major crisis of the conflict in Idapanur is hatred between different castes. However, God expects us to honor others (John 1512). Murry states that the plain truth about God and the Christians is that God wants the Christians in every situation to love the other humans (even enemies), to forgive the others more than once, to s eek also the interests of the others, to do the others as he/she would like to do to him/her.Making a Sense of ReconciliationThe conservative concept is that never reconcile with anybody. Fundamentalism is on that line the same way, though many improvements in the society arise, still we hear about caste discrimination and caste biased atrocities. This shows the strength of non-reconciliation. Whereas, conflict resolution hangs on acceptance, Love one another(prenominal) and forgivenss. The spirit of forgiveness leads towards reconciliation. Murry, states that The Christ-event in history is symbolized by the shape of the cross Christ died on the vertical line symbolizing God-human reconciliation accomplished, and the horizontal beam symbolizing the imperative of human-human reconciliation if humans should return the efficacy of Christs redemption. The cross of Christ reminds us of Gods love, humility, forgiveness, and vicarious death for those who broke His heart should e the ro ot point for the Christians in dealing with any kind of conflict personal, communal or global. Ps. 8510, 2 Cor. 1311, Rom. 51, Eph. 214). Eric Bernes Transactional Analysis explains the three ego states (Parent ego, adult ego, and child ego). According to Murry, The over dependence on either one ego states will result in conflict. So, all these three to some proportions are required in a person. The counselee has to be reminded of forgiving each other and accept each other without comments.Creating the sense of WholenessConflict damages the personality. As Fritz Perls views, many personalities as lacking(p) wholeness, as being fragmented and people are often aware of only parts of themselves rather than of the whole self. further he states that the Gestalt therapists assist to discover clients self and mobilize it for greater effectiveness. Fundamentalism and Caste System segregate the human socity and also looks other with negative cannotation. Whereas the prime concern of Christi an understanding is to dumbfound back the fragmentd humanity to experience wholeness growth. Liberation is one of the aspect in redeeming wholeness, says Clinebell. However, fundamentalism and Casteism opposes the pocket aspect. But in resolving the conflict, the counsellor need to bring the counslee into the sense of liberation to attain Wholeness.construction the community of ShalomFinally, the pastoral response to Caste conflict as conflict resolution is building the community of peace and harmony. The major hindrance of Fundamentalism and Casteism is their approach with humanity and society. These both compartmentalise the society and break the human relationship. The stratified system of the society on the basis of Law code of Manu, had not only split the Indian Society but also created enmity. Whwn God creted, he wanted that the creation to live harmoniously. Whereas the present situation goes upside down. However, the conflict resolution needs to build the community not to destroy.ConclusionFundamentalism is of following strictly the teachings and tradition of a religion. Whereby, the existence of Caste system demonstrates that the root of the Casteism comes from the Indian religious traditions and Hindu philosophy. No one can deny, both these issues are interrelated by their idealogy too after it has been discussed mostly in this paper. Nevertheless, these evil practices not only helped the seeds of conflict to grow but also claimed many lives in order to satisfy its thirst. Hence, the role of a Christian minister or Counsellor is crucial at this juncture. If a Chritian misiter give totally for the sake of building the shalom community, hope the kingdom of God will be rooted on this earth. For concluding this paper, it will probably be worth quoting Dyanchnad Carrs statements. in the cse of local and small level conflicts the hurt memories do play an important role both in keeping alive the dormant of volcano of resentment and anger as well as in fanning them into fires of conflagration. We need to do all we can diffuse the situation and bring about a reconciled peace.