The Theme Of Controversy In The 21st Century: The Idea Of Religion
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The most powerful topic of controversy in the 21st century is the idea of religion. Over thousands of years dating back to before the common era, the human race has developed different approaches for honoring their spiritual beliefs. What makes most religions so controversial is due to the nature of having a strict orthodox belief. On the other hand, Sanatana Dharma, otherwise known as Hinduism, offers several approaches to reach the ultimate goal, liberation. Hinduism has been relatively optimistic. As Huston Smith recalls in his book The World’s Religions, Hinduism teaches “You can have what you want.” Since Hinduism does not have a founder who installed a set of rules, like Moses and the Ten Commandments, it is naturally accepting of the diversity of spiritual practices to reach moksha, also known as liberation.
Despite having great diversity, most Hindus believe everything has had a previous life and returned through…show more content… This is more clearly illustrated in the caste system. The caste system is divided into five social classes: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, and untouchables. Everyone is born into their social class and cannot move around regardless of whether they have the talent to be in a higher class. The caste system has remained controversial because it is noted as extremely oppressive. The system taught lower classes to feel inferior and made the road to salvation seem hopelessly long for them. Many people, especially those not a part of Hinduism, do not understand the purpose of the caste system. An orthodox Hindu would respond to statements of oppression about the caste system by simply saying one’s birth into a class is a reflection of their previous accomplishments. Modern Hinduism has recognized these flaws in the system and have begun reform by doing away with the untouchables social class which was the most neglected of