Otherwise Civilization is Doomed

Because the modern day civilization is based on the principles of exploitation and greed and is thus not in harmony with the underlying principles of existence it is doomed to failure. Our present social system is inauspiciously based on the artificial platform of material sense gratification. Therefore it is gradually disintegrating. If we want true cohesion, peace, and happiness in our global society, we must re-introduce the principles of the spiritual nature of self and a God-centered society. Therefore the greatest necessity of the modern day is that there arise throughout the world a class of spiritually enlightened teachers who can guide the people in general how to realize their eternal identities as spirit-soul servitors of the Supreme Person. This is the mission of ISKCON, the International Society for Krishna consciousness. We are calling upon all sincere souls who want to realize the highest truth and engage in the highest welfare for human society to join with ISKCON in fulfilling this mission.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Ecstatic Training Session at ISKCON Retreat Govinda Valley, Australia

Answers According to the Vedic Version:

Question: Is Religion Merely a Set of Beliefs?

My Dear Gurudeva,

I was watching a debate on television once on whether creationism should be included in the school syllabus. It was a real life court case where one side wanted the inclusion of a theory called 'Intelligent Design' along with the theory of evolution. The side against the inclusion of the 'Intelligent Design' theory won the case hands down as they tried to prove that the theory of 'Intelligent Design' which suggested the hand of an intelligent agency in the creation of the species today was not science and was like inclusion of religion in the syllabus, while evolution with the strong backing of genetics and a lot of experimental proof is science.

This case may be subjective for the interpretation of the word science itself may be subjective. But, recently a lot of the things that I've come across have raised a lot of questions in my mind and has also got me questioning my belief in the Supreme. It has made me think that after all this may just be a set of strong beliefs, of a generation that did not have the knowledge of the science behind the many phenomena in this world. The texts could be merely texts that hold value in controlling of one's mind and thereby behavior and attaining peace with oneself and the world, the various rituals a tried and tested mode of attaining a more controlled psychological state. I'd like if you have something to say in this regard.

With deep respect,

Sakshi

Answer: Religion is the Perfection of Science

The first thing is that we must scientifically analyze whether or not there is a Supreme. First we can ask if everyone has the same amount of strength. Then we can ask if everyone has the same amount of beauty. And then we can inquire whether everyone is equally renounced. Then we can inquire further if everyone has the same amount of knowledge, wealth, and fame. The answer in regards to each of these six qualities is, "No." What does this tell us? This tell us that somewhere there is a person who excels everyone else in the possession of these six opulences. That person is supreme, so there must necessarily be a Supreme. There cannot not be a Supreme. The only way there could not be a Supreme would be if everyone had exactly the same quantity of power, beauty, renunciation, knowledge, wealth, and fame. And since that is not the case, there must be a Supreme.

Genuine religion is more scientific than the so-called science of our modern times. It is most scientific because it enables us to directly experience at every moment the Supreme Person, the source for all of existence. Modern science is a hodgepodge of theories which come and go like the change of the seasons, but actual science and religion is to have perfect knowledge of and a perfect relationship with the Supreme Person, the absolute source of all energies, and of all of his energetic manifestations, which constitute the totality of existence.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari