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Why do we mock those whose beliefs are valuable to them?

In the last few days, I saw many tweets and Facebook updates/jokes & comments on women who celebrate Karva Chauth. While I can understand our need to express ourselves on every festival under the sun especially those we don't observe or celebrate, why do we mock those whose beliefs are valuable to them? 

Lack of acceptance - therein lies the crux of the problem. This has nothing to do with religion. It's about our attitude to others around us - the increasing intolerance and sarcasm. 

I still don't get it. Why do we force our beliefs or lack of it on others? 

Let's take Karva Chauth itself. I don't follow or observe it but I don't mock those who undertake it. That's their choice. As long as they do not pressurize us to follow what they do, what is the problem? Why are we so judgmental about what others do when we don't have the patience to contemplate on our own beliefs or lack of them for that matter?

It's also interesting how many youngsters in my timeline (no offence to them, I love the way they are so smart and ahead in nearly everything they do!) justify their rants against God, religion, parents, marriage, social norms that stop them from drinking/smoking/living/wearing next to nothing or whatever they please. 

Personally, I don't have a problem with women wearing shorts, bikinis or nothing for that matter. It's their choice, I have mine. 

But the same people who propagate the importance of free will & freedom tend to be more judgmental about the beliefs of others - the very act of judging is what they are supposedly against, lets not forget! So, why this hypocrisy?

I don't understand it.

BUT

If women in India are embracing Karva Chauth because they feel forced to, that is a different story altogether. Doing something because one wants to and doing something because you feel socially forced to isn't the same thing. We, as women, need to understand where our point of confidence comes from.

Here's how I see it: Don't do anything because others insist it's right for you. Do it because you want to do it, your happiness depends on it. Have guts to break the rules if you don't want to stand by something but don't mock others for breaking the rules too.

Do we celebrate festivals because of social pressure or do we celebrate festivals because we look forward to it and want to celebrate it with our loved ones?

I would love to know your thoughts/experiences/instances relating to what I have mentioned here. 
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Comments

Locomente said…
I totally agree with you...
If it is followed by people as a way of expressing their love, then it is fine... But because they are forced...

Guys! Everybody is free to do whatever they want :)
October 29, 2013 at 2:03 PM
Asha said…
You reflect my thoughts, Swapna. Well written.

People, think they are educated,emancipated, live in age of reasoning so they find it regressive to follow any Indian practice or ritual. They are ignorant about the hidden values/native wisdom behind the festivals or rituals. Many may be irrelevant but some of our practices are more relevant today but who's to listen? But then like they say it is their choice, but let them not run down other's faith or belief.

They would rather bond over halloween or valentine parties than celebrate diwali, karva chauth or dussehra. People seem to take pride in posting spooky halloween( they might not even be aware of the reasoning behind halloween but that won't matter) photos than diwali or dussehra photos.

It has become trendy to issue statements like what i wear is my choice, I will do what i want, i care a damn for the society etc.,



alright their choice let them do it but any act of theirs that affects the society is unethical, illlegal or immoral.

Imagine, if in the name of breaking rules if road rules were not followed, what chaos would follow similarly everywhere. I believe when we live in a society as a social animal we have to abide by some laws and reasoning.

October 29, 2013 at 8:23 PM
Ajith said…
its interesting to see how emotionally attached we are towards our opinion !!!.Like if u watch a movie and you tell ur friend that u like it,you expect ur friend to like it as well !!.If he says the movie is crap, we tend to get upset!!.Difference is opinion is not tolerated and is wired to the thought process from a very young age where we are suppose to agree and accept what the elders say.
October 30, 2013 at 5:11 AM
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