16-12-2013, 10:04 AM
An interesting development, I think.
But there are problems with it. Firstly, it is not easy to replace a mindset that has been in situ for thousands of years. It is also virtually impossible to change people's superstitions just by saying so, as we can clearly see in the west today.
Secondly replacing "superstitious" thinking with scientific and secular reason, simply ignores those things that go bang in the night. Pretending they don't happen is a form of repressive thinking, which is psychologically unhealthy. As Jung said: "Show me a sane man, and I will cure him for you"
But there are problems with it. Firstly, it is not easy to replace a mindset that has been in situ for thousands of years. It is also virtually impossible to change people's superstitions just by saying so, as we can clearly see in the west today.
Secondly replacing "superstitious" thinking with scientific and secular reason, simply ignores those things that go bang in the night. Pretending they don't happen is a form of repressive thinking, which is psychologically unhealthy. As Jung said: "Show me a sane man, and I will cure him for you"
Quote:Indian state moves to debunk black magic
Police in Maharashtra get powers to investigate religious fraud, extremism and human sacrifice after death of campaigner
- Associated Press in Delhi
- theguardian.com, Monday 16 December 2013 08.29 GMT
Hindu women at their local temple. Narendra Dabholkar had encouraged villagers to embrace secular and scientific reason. Photograph: Loren Holmes/Alamy
Politicians in western India have passed a bill aimed at debunking black magic and prosecuting religious charlatans after the death of an activist who campaigned for nearly two decades for the legislation.
Maharashtra is the first state to pass such a measure in multicultural and secular India, where witch doctors and Hindu holy men enjoy huge popularity and can amass millions in tributes from followers or fees for promised miracles and health cures.
The anti-superstition legislation allows police to investigate religious fraud, extremism and human sacrifice.
It was passed over the weekend following an 18-year debate and intense lobbying from Narendra Dabholkar, who was shot on 20 August after receiving death threats for encouraging villagers to embrace secular and scientific reason. Two people were arrested over the killing.
The shadow is a moral problem that challenges the whole ego-personality, for no one can become conscious of the shadow without considerable moral effort. To become conscious of it involves recognizing the dark aspects of the personality as present and real. This act is the essential condition for any kind of self-knowledge.
Carl Jung - Aion (1951). CW 9, Part II: P.14