Religion is a Mental Illness

By: Nivedita Dash

Published: Mar 17, 2022

HIGHLIGHTS

The Gujarat government on Thursday announced in the Assembly that the Bhagavad Gita will be a part of the school syllabus for Classes 6 to 12 across the state from the academic year 2022-23.

Education Minister Jitu Vaghani made the announcement in the legislative Assembly during a discussion on budgetary allocations for the education department.

The decision to introduce the values and principles enshrined in the Bhagavad Gita in school curriculum was in line with the new National Education Policy (NEP) unveiled by the Centre, which advocates the introduction of modern and ancient culture, traditions and knowledge systems so that students feel proud of India's rich and diverse culture, the minister said.

Speaking to reporters later, Vaghani said people from all faiths have accepted the moral values and principles outlined in the ancient Hindu scripture.

"Hence, we have decided to introduce the Bhagavad Gita in the school curriculum for Classes 6 to 12. For students of Classes 6 to 8, the scripture will be introduced in the textbook of 'Sarvangi Shikshan' (holistic education). From Classes 9 to 12, it will be introduced in the form of storytelling in the textbook of the first language," he said.

Schools will also organise activities based on the scripture such as prayers, shloka recitation, comprehension, drama, quiz, painting and elocution competitions, he said. Study material such as books and audio-video CDs will be provided to schools by the government, the minister added.

By: Atheist Republic

On Thursday, March 17, in Gujarat, India, the state government announced that Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu holy scripture, will be integrated into the curriculum for grade 6 to grade 12 students. The announcement was made during a legislative assembly for budgetary allocations for the education department.

Jitu Vaghani, Gujarat’s education minister, explained that the assembly’s move is an implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP). The new NEP was passed by India in 2020 and was intended to address the lack of a new education policy for almost three decades.

The last education policy established by India was in 1986 and was later revised in 1992.

During a press conference, Vaghani explained that despite the Bhagavad Gita being a Hindu scripture, “all faiths have accepted the moral values and principles outlined,” The Wire reported.

Vaghani also explained that portions of the scripture would be introduced across different grade levels in varying degrees.

“For students of classes 6 to 8, the scripture will be introduced in the textbook of holistic education.” From classes 9 to 12, it will be introduced in the form of storytelling in the textbook of the first language,” Vaghani explained.

The decision of Gujarat’s assembly also points to the NEP’s emphasis on “the introduction of modern and ancient culture, traditions and knowledge systems,” Vaghani added.

Despite Vaghani’s claims that other faiths have accepted the state’s decision, the announcement was quickly condemned by representatives from other religions.

Cedric Prakash, a Jesuit priest, accused Gujarat’s government of majoritarianism. “The study of any and every religious or holy book needs to be welcomed all at all times,” he explained. But “introducing only the study of Bhagavad Gita smacks of majoritarianism,” he added.

A.C. Michael, the founder of the United Christian Forum in India, recommended giving the students the option to choose which religious scripture they can learn about. “Many minority educational institutions are already teaching their students their respective religious texts,” he said.

“Maybe options could be given to individual students to choose religious books,” he added.

After Gujarat’s announcement, Karnataka’s assembly is also considering establishing the same policy. BC Nagesh, Karnataka’s education minister, said they are working on implementing a “Moral Science” subject.

If passed, Karnataka’s curriculum will make Bhagavad Gita compulsory.

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This really speaks to the astronomical arrogance of devout Hindus. As one commenter wrote at the bottom of the Atheist Republic post:

The correct thing to teach would be evolution of morality and ethics, not one religion of many which happens to have some of these in it.

So let's celebrate that "diversity" by ramming one specific superstitious tradition down children's throats. They're looking for exclusive access to indoctrinate students while they're young and credulous.

Because deranged fanatics don't get to win.

LOL.

Exhibit A, ladies and gentlemen. If you thought I was kidding, be assured I was not.

Sweetie, honey.... all you're telling me is how fragile your beliefs are. It tells me that your religion does not afford you a stable, secure peace of mind, or you would not be so triggered. And it tells me precisely how to push your buttons; that is, where your weakness is.

You don't really understand how desensitization works, do you, kitten?

Whatever you think can do, well, you're mistaken. It's notable though that your Twitter account is full of nothing but full-on porn. I have no moral objection to porn, but it’s interesting that while you’re up on your high horse, you apparently want hard core pornography to associated with your religion, beliefs and crusade. That you want people to think of “respect our goddesses” and hard core, XXX pornography at the same time.

It's also notable that you appear to relate sex with violence. That you think of sex as a form of physical assault or attack. Have you really not noticed that? Doesn’t it bother you that you have these so inextricably intertwined? The earlier Hindu who thanked me for the posts was right: you have an extremely unhealthy view of sex and sexuality. I would go so far as to call it childish. I would even suspect a repressed memory of seeing your own mother in flagrante, and seeing it as a violation of your juvenile fantasy of your mother as a pure, unsullied angel, rather than whole, fully-formed and sexual being, and projecting that onto others. I’m right over the bull’s eye, aren’t I?

So, now we're doing this.

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Such a silly, silly Jan.

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EDIT: Loser changed blog name to “atheist-republic.” But it’s not the actual Atheist Republic. Thinks a religion is a “race.” What an astounding loser.

Has also committed 100% of their entire blog as a shrine to me. I’m so flattered to be living rent-free in their head. The people who hate you really are your biggest fans, since it demonstrates legitimacy and influence. When religious crazies hate you, you must be doing something right.

Not only that, but it’s the best advertising ever. Think about it. Someone goes to that blog thinking it’s the real Atheist Republic on Tumblr, finds an obviously insane troll. Where are they going to go next? They’re going to come to my blog, both because it’s the only link and because they’re obviously deranged and they’re simultaneously obsessed with and have a problem with me. The best positive promotion is an unhinged lunatic saying bad things about you; a negative multiplied by a negative is a positive.

I can’t stop smiling. Best day of the year so far.

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EDIT #2: Original post was removed by Tumblr for adult content - something I half anticipated, since I realize it was close to the line - not for "blasphemy." Disrespecting imaginary, fantasy creatures and hurting fragile religious sentiments is neither a crime nor a Tumblr infraction.

Remembering the time Hindu hypocrites who cheered on Armin destroying a quran called the police and sent death threats over a drawing of Kali.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armin_Navabi#Conflict_with_the_Universal_Hindu_Council

You know the meme of three men taking a test, where Judaism is copying from Paganism, Xianity is copying from Judaism, and Islam is copying from Xianity? Sexy Kali is where I realized that just out of frame is Hinduism copying from Islam. Not in mythology but in tactics.