-
Welcome to Religious Forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding.
Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:- Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
- Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
- Access to private conversations with other members.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!
Why is the caste system evil?
- Thread starter Chisti
- Start date
MD
qualiaphile
A) It has allowed for the subjugation of an entire group of people for thousands of years
B) All human beings are more or less equal and have the capacity to achieve whatever they set their minds to
Breathe
Hostis humani generis
Pretty much this.
Chisti, you'll not find many (knowledgeable) Hindus who will support the birth caste system (jāti) as it's not Hinduism, and most Hindus on here don't really care for a person's varṇa (their inclination as to what field they are best in at the time: thinker, protector, trader, or aider) other than their own.
Also, ISKCON (Hare Krishnas), for example, say 'we are all Śūdras now'.
arthra
Baha'i
Separating people into castes and regarding others as "Dailts" (untouchables) was a pernicious system in my view..that divided and subjugated people.
I was checking on the eytmology of the word "Dalit" and found the following:
The word "Dalit" comes from the Sanskrit, and means "ground", "suppressed", "crushed", or "broken to pieces".
Dalit - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Wikipedia
The government of India has formally made the caste system unlawful however aspects of it have survived to this day. It should be noted that there have been systems of separating and segregating people for various reasons in many countries not just India.
The United States had such a system of racial discrimination and segregation that lasted until the mid twentieth century. I recall when entering a train depot near Washington D.C. around 1951 there were "colored" and "white" entrances/doors, water fountains and restrooms. I entered a "colored" door without being aware of it and was told by the clerk at the station to exit the station office and re-enter it through the "white" door. I asked "Do you mean you want me to go outside and re-enter the station through the "white" door? and since no one else was there the clerk said "Ah skip it!" So this pernicious system of racial segregation was common in the US.
Baha'is in Iran are regarded as "unclean" see
"The graffiti in Abadeh included slogans such as 'Death to Baha'is, the mercenaries of America and England,' 'Hezbollah despises the Baha'is,' 'Baha'is - mercenaries of Israel' and 'Baha'is are unclean' - phrases that relate directly to government propaganda that has been disseminated in Iranian news media in recent years," Ms. Ala'i said.
http://news.bahai.org/story/578
On 8 September 2007 a number of Bahá'í homes in Vilashahr were defaced with graffiti that stated "unclean Bahá'ís, stipendiaries of Israel," "Bahá'ís are enemies of God", and "Bahá'ís are traitors to their country."
http://www.onecountry.org/e193/e19308as_Iran_new_tactics_and_support.html
Look up the word "Najis".
Last edited:
Breathe
Hostis humani generis
The concept of untouchability is not Hindu.
The caste system is a superiority complex system, arising from ego and selfishness. Since 'evil' is selfish behaviour arising from a sense of false-ego, therefore caste system = evil.
It is a shame that it arose within Indian culture and shameful that most people associate it with Hindu religion.
It is a shame that it arose within Indian culture and shameful that most people associate it with Hindu religion.
Father Heathen
Veteran Member
Because it's causes segregation, prejudice and inequality, and doesn't allow people to forge their own destiny and carve their own place in society.
It's obviously a very ****** idea that only a woefully backwards culture would embrace.
Father Heathen
Veteran Member
Why wouldn't it be?
Keep in mind that most societies, even until recently, had some sort of similar system. The 'upper class' mistreating and being disgusted by the 'lower class'. England, for example. There is still a semblance of this culture in our societies today, although not as extreme.
It allows a small minority to dictate to the vast majority and disallows movement up the social ladder because many social opportunities are shut off due to the ovarian lottery.
Father Heathen
Veteran Member
I'm aware.
BruceDLimber
Well-Known Member
Ever hear of pre-judgment (aka "prejudice")?
The caste system is one of the worst examples of pre-judgement / prejudice.
Bruce
The caste system is one of the worst examples of pre-judgement / prejudice.
Bruce
Chisti
Active Member
Isn't this the case in all systems?
nameless
The Creator
it is not a religious thing.
A-ManESL
Well-Known Member
I don't think you can say it is unlawful. What is unlawful is practicing untouchability. To say that the caste system is unlawful gives the impression that the government prohibits any use of castes. On the contrary affirmative action for backward castes in enshrined in India's constitution.
CynthiaCypher
Well-Known Member
It's a form of slavery. /thread
waitasec
Veteran Member
forgive my ignorance, but wouldn't the caste system prevent some from reaching their potential?
Chisti
Active Member
That happens even in so-called egalitarian societies. At least in caste system, everybody has a job, nobody is unemployed.
I am just playing the devil's advocate here.
Mr Spinkles
Mr
Prejudice exists in practice always, everywhere, but clearly there's a huge difference between pigeonholing someone as a member of a caste vs. not doing so.