An Ideal Society

By Prof. Dr. Christopher Thomas

Our mission in this world is to empower human values and our success is in transforming our aspirations for prosperity in unity to all mankind without any limitation. A society cannot co-exist or flourish if conflicts prevail in any form, in the backdrop of drastically differing cultural and economical conditions. We have historical evidences to prove this point.

Even today, in this millennium of knowledge and success, we face serious and various reasons of unrest, even threats to human existence itself which we endure with hope of a better tomorrow for our generations. The need of the hour is to have the wisdom in all of us to recognize the fact that the whole human race is one larger family and therefore as brothers and sisters in principle we should work toward maintaining harmony by removing hatred for one another, be it on religious or political reasons.

As the pages turn, you begin to understand that early modern period of social thoughts were the threshold of a new era in the history of civilization, but slowly and steadily we have deviated from this path deteriorating our social order through time ending up in hatred and separatism. What we should understand is that if hatred is to capture our social order, then all other virtues and customs will get let down evidently and we as a whole population will meet our misfortunes instead of progressing wisely.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Prof. Dr. Christopher Thomas
• Release date: Mar 12, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476136714

Prof. Dr. Christopher Thomas

Dr. Christopher Thomas is a brilliant veteran writer and social worker, who produced several books on social, psychological, philosophical and religious subjects on people’s life, motivating them to become extra-ordinary.He is an Associate Professor in Human Rights with a European University. His aim is to reach out to more and more people with diverse subject books beside his other services to society. His meticulous and empathetic method of scripting and interface in unique and simple manner is reflected in his various works.Dr. Thomas resides in Chennai - India with his wife having spent several years of his successful and productive life in the Middle East countries.His published English works include the titles: Learning About Life, An Ideal society, Winning Wisdom, This Incredible Universe, and A shortcut Through The Bible, in addition to other vernacular writings.He is a Human Rights Counsellor and works for different charitable activities especially for the benefits of Dalits on which he was awarded a Doctorate. He is confident about Human Rights potentials within the framework of contemporary societies to benefit mankind largely. He is also the Founding Chairman of Friends Ever Foundation International, a non-profit service organization.He is an asset and promise for the present and future generations.

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An Ideal Society

A Profile

Prof. Dr. Christopher Thomas PhD

Smashwords Edition, Copyright 2012

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An Ideal Society

Indoctrinating Relations of Religions

And

A New Social World Order

This book is dedicated to

My Wife

Thangam

Table of Contents

Hypothesis

Foreword

Preface

Chapter 1, Man, Society, and Social Living

Chapter 2, The Smaller Circle

Chapter 3 Universal Obsessions

Chapter 4 Knowing Major Religions

Chapter 5 Millennium Password

About the Author

Hypothesis

Do we believe and practice merely what exactly our predecessors did and many people around us still continue doing or, do we just go in for what others force upon us or do you claim side by side we should modify our values, thoughts and actions to suit the times we live in a progressive world?

Should we not stick to our own conscience while respecting that of others? If we are not right in our thoughts and deeds corresponding to our conscience, how and where will we end up?

Is our knowledge comprehensive to be right in every sense, given that the mysteries of this world are not all clear to anyone in particular?

Contemplation or guess work is not the right way to choose the right answers for all the riddles we face. Knowledge is what we see, hear and understand from the world we live and is part of and therefore we got to be guided by that knowledge, more than anything else.

The universal contention is that every society is judged by how it treats its least fortunate amongst them and not according to the alliance with any religion or other outfit it is attached to. Do you agree?

Be independent in your thoughts and actions and strive to fit well into the world we actually live. Remember, a life lived for others is what really counts.

Isn’t it time we wake up and work for an Ideal Society we dream of in this world?

It is right to say Believe in what is true, what is transparent, what is worth because, we only live once.

Foreword

Dr. Christopher Thomas has written an insightful, modern, and dearly needed book, An Ideal Society.

Within its pages, he artfully reminds us to look at our historical roots from a social and religious perspective as a way to overcome some of these difficult times that we are currently encountering. 

There are psychologists who might argue that there is no such thing as an ideal society; thus they would never open the door to this line of contemplation.  However, when you read and examine the extensive research conducted by Dr. Thomas, a strong argument for his insights on historical and traditional values becomes clear.  One is left with the conclusion that there is still a need to dream again of an ideal society. 

The research and insights on the religions of the world contained in this book would make an excellent reading supplement for learners who study philosophy and religion in our worldwide universities and colleges.  His major theme is that fundamental thinking and closed mindedness by a comparatively small group of people is now risking the well being of the entire humanity.

There is no doubt in my mind that Dr. Thomas has made a profound contribution in the writing of this book to the understanding of the world conditions today.  In doing so, he has given us not only a wake-up call for action but an actual plan to accomplish an ideal society.

Prof. Dr. John M. Toothman, PhD

Professor of Psychology

Goldey-Beacom College (USA)

Board of Governors/External Scholar

Intercultural Open University Foundation (NL)

Preface

The ongoing life’s encounters of every individual in the wider society and his place as a character in the scheme of things of which most of them being beyond his reach and control was a topic traversed through my mind during the creation of one of my earlier book titled ‘Learning About Life,’ which was an analysis of factors resulting in success or failure in human endeavors that was well received by my esteemed readers. This volume will focus on some important social aspects of life in relation with issues you and I encounter every day.

Social living is essential for our very existence and developments both, no arguments about it.

Our nurturing and our learning are done in the society we live as it serves as the springboard to begin all our activities.

Learning after making errors is a common strategy in many cultures, especially primitive, but it is not the fair strategy because in such process certain amount of irreversible damage would have already been done. It is doubtful at times, whether mankind is deteriorating in its values in many areas including respect and love for fellow humans. Hence, a revival in our understanding of values and rediscovering honor for all becomes necessary strategy in the modern world. Social harmony, the key element for peaceful co-existence depends on our true understanding of the society through embodiment of wisdom, and in the need for love and compassion. Fragrance of grace is all encompassing in a social set up of living together where the idea of universal peace and love for each other are the watchwords.

Our mission in this world is to empower human values and our success is in transforming love and happiness to all without any reservations or limitations - as witnessed in children. A society cannot co-exist or flourish if conflicts prevail in any form, be it religious, social or political. We have historical evidences of this distasteful condition in the past and are still experiencing the same in the present, as noticed from various cases of unrests and their consequent fall-outs through out the world in one form or another. It is doubtful and questionable as to what impact the progress of humanity, otherwise gained, have so far contributed in arresting these fearful situations prevailing in the midst of a civilized population of this millennium of knowledge. Or, are we still hanging about in the times of barbaric and ruthless world in new forms and names with improvised and fashionable cloths and lifestyles? Intrusion of science on the domain of faith misused for selfish gains have resulted in a terrible backlash and in successfully supporting the fundamentality and hatred for one another.

Even if we wish, we cannot learn the intricacies and interactions of humans in a whole lifetime because the world is too large for this purpose. Moreover, human cultures differ drastically in different corners of the world and understanding them conclusively is humanly impossible especially when the subject is as complicated and detailed as various religious beliefs and traditions are and the key issue is toleration among them. And, the result is very pitiable. Science and technology yielded easy access to anyone who has a pervasive attitude for revenge on the society for personal or group-oriented reasons such as fanatic or sadistic satisfaction, and it is happening. This one factor alone should motivate us in strengthening our common urge for disciplinary and realistic reach to find clues to suppress such socially harmful trends by educating and enlightening those forces or by other forceful idealistic means to allow the common people live fearlessly and harmoniously in the world. We should be able in making use and enjoying the enlivening advantage of the multifaceted technological and economical progress the world had made, and not use these developments for destruction of mankind, nor even allow some people - a very meager part of society at that- to misuse them gradually for the destruction of our mother earth.

Learning and evaluating our society in detail is very much therefore desirable to create this vision in our generations and helping to retain the books of faith and reasoning kept apart in the present scenario is priority.

Every one of us should try to understand that a flawless life is the true religion and therefore our aim should be to shun all downbeat thoughts and actions and learn to love people giving equal or greater value to them in all sensible avenues. This book is a humble attempt in that direction.

Some of my views expressed may appear bigoted perhaps because of the nature of subjects dealt are so much inconsistent and delicate. My readers are requested not to get baffled by those opinions but to arrive judiciously with proper indulgence in a natural and impartial way.

Wherever religious teachings and practices are mentioned in this book, it is done with due respects to all religious faiths and their faithful followers, as is evident. I have a sincere wish that these efforts may enable my readers comprehend the spiritual aspects of every religion included herein, so that mutual respect for others is maintained in our hearts to establish a harmonious life within the frame work of societies we live and thus help disregard and discourage the destructive forces creating havocs in the name of political Vedanta or religions or faiths for their futilely selfish ends; what is hampering the progress of humanity and remains a threat to its sensitive fabric itself especially in such nations where pluralistic practices are rooted because religion is the principle differentiating characteristic of man and his private society today and since it is faith that is one thing dear to most and universal by practice of its adherence, the only difference being it is either this or that.

In Baha’u’llah’s own words, quote: The purpose of religion is to establish unity and concord amongst the people of the world; make it not the cause of dissension and strife.

We must empathize that those interested to disturb harmony in society are people who know that the sensitive strings of human heart can be traumatized easily through indulging in religious maneuvers by creating countless miseries and hatred within the masses so that their separatist thoughts can radiate hatred to others more vigorously and quickly. In a secular country like India, religious harmony is always at stake with every other case of ruthless acts committed in the name of faith or ethnicity, somewhere, sometime. Masses are easily caught by the fever in situations like that and such trends are surprisingly in the increase engulfing our society in dangerous proportions and at fast pace. Wonder why so when population became well educated and are able to distinguish the shadows such ill feelings and behaviors can bring about in a society resulting in hampering its growth and very existence itself.

The need of the hour is to have the wisdom in all of us to prevail and to recognize the fact that the whole human race is one God’s family, thereby acknowledging all humans are God’s children and accordingly all of us are brothers and sisters in principle. In other words, we must hold all mankind to be our kin and look upon all men – Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, Parses, Buddhists, and all – as none other than our own larger family members, to whom one cannot think of committing any cruelty.

Whenever any alarming situation is created in a section of the society by disruptive elements, we should strive hard to diffuse tension and each individual must work hard toward it. It is always easier said than done, but it is also true that combined efforts by all peace loving men can certainly make a difference in promoting mutual understanding against these divides. It is high time for the present well-informed society to think of its survival on foundations other than religious footings. The 13th century Persian poet Saadi asserted that All religious paths are nothing but service to humanity. Sadly it is this generation – a very few in them of course - do not truly recognize great principles of tolerance and co-existence and do what suits their will.

In the final analysis, an ideal life is all about loving, caring, socializing and considering others in right perspectives as another human being just like ourselves in wider meanings and broad spectrum. Intelligent man puts up with suitable changes in the course of life – social, political, religious or whatever - when he discovers it is time for change as situations insist, or when the established social order demand from him so for a more satisfying and fulfilling life, taking all the humanity in his stride as one single global family for its well-being. We should learn to accommodate with the changing notions, environments, information and trends instead of wasting the present for the cause of past; in holding and fighting for what were believed as true and applicable befitting for a period when all avenues of knowledge – scientific and others - were primitive; and following them truthfully and living still in the past; and by giving due recognition for multi-dimensional scientific and technical advancements of this age man earned for himself through great sacrifices and inventions and conduct a realistic life suiting the present rather than living in an illusionary world of whims, fancies and superstitions largely belonged to the past. This, one has to achieve with right knowledge and fierce will and determination, in unity with others and more importantly in extreme disciplinary conditions. He is the model, who finds peace and harmony in his personal and social life and one who is instrumental for the triumphant development and progress of humanity.

The author wishes that his intellectual readers will come across many such opportunities enabling them to live their life to the fullest and ensure that each of us meticulously contribute to the continuous progress of humankind and contribute to build An Ideal Society.

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Chapter 1, Man, Society, and Social Living

 Human race is the most advanced product of nature’s evolution so far even as it is not a perfect one in its absolute meaning. Man, as far as studies established hitherto, is individual of the genus Homo, distinguished from the other animals by superior mental development, power of articulate speech, and upright posture. The principal difference of modern man with the rest of the animal world is that he is self-aware and self-directing unlike the other creatures, which are driven by nature and have hardly an articulate consciousness of their own. Man has the power - say almost - to control and direct every forces of nature, of whose evolution he himself is a product. He is gifted with the unique power of speech, which he has developed into languages. In short, human being - the individual - is a living organism capable of independent thought, feeling, and action. Besides, he has developed the art of writing, another unique and perfect means of communication. Man of course is the first to have the faculty of self-development, in any direction of his choice. There is going to be no limit to his growth and other characteristic powers. But when it comes to an individual, his independence has limitations because he is part of an organized group or what we call society where all his resources are profoundly curtailed or modified in line with existing laws and practices best suited to the whole group.

Man is essentially a social being. The word social is said to have derived from the Greek word for comrade. It means living in companionship or in community with others. Man does not and cannot, live in isolation for long. Therefore, in order to make human interaction possible, a society either large or small is necessary.

Society had its early beginnings in the ancient groupings of preliterate men mainly for the purpose of security from wild beasts. Today, line of social thoughts have developed to greater levels due to constant encouragements into the field of human specialization itself, because social thinking and interaction between individuals have become most significant functions close to the hub of human life, the essential feature for social growth. Classical thoughts about society were reputable in its meaning, as demonstrated by Plato who lived during 427-347 BC. Plato can be regarded as one of the first to describe what he designed would be the best possible society during that period, based on reason and justice, called Utopian Deduction. Aristotle, his student (384-322 BC) on the other hand tried to describe society that he had experienced firsthand by Realistic Induction Method. It can be said that if Plato was a philosophical dreamer, Aristotle was the philosophical scientist. In other words, Plato stressed on the unity of society that ought to exist, while Aristotle examined and analyzed relationships in societies that did exist during his time.

Medieval social thinkers include St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274 AD), who emphasized that Philosophy is the handmaid of Theology, and reason is the foundation of faith. Ibn Khaldun (1332-1406 AD) combined the best theories of his predecessors. He brought together deep insight with keen perceptive powers directed toward the societies he had experienced. The third epoch in the development of social thought was the early modern period from 1600-1800 AD. Principal social scientists during this period were Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679), and Condorcet (1743-1794). Hobbes’ Social-Contract Theory provided a rational basis for the origin and development of society, a justification for the