A few days ago, I was having lunch in one of the classrooms at CIE. Two girls walked in and sat beside me and my friends. I had seen both of them around, but wasn't familiar with them. So after the usual "Aapka kya naam hai, Kahan rehte ho, Kaunse teaching subjects hain?" (Oho! Science student ho!) and "Paper five mei kya option liya hai," the conversation turned to matters of food. Among other things, one of the girls mentioned that her religion forbade her from eating pork, but that eating fish was acceptable. One of my friends asked her why this was the case. The girl replied that it was okay to eat fish because fish didn't have blood. For a second, I couldn't believe my ears. I looked at her, expecting a more complete and less absurd explanation. But she was silent. Her voice carried conviction. But to me that conviction was disturbing and scary. My first instinct was to rush and tell her the "scientifically proven truth," that fish do indeed have blood, a heart, the works, and yes, I know this, not from a textbook, but because I have dissected fish. But before I had a chance to say anything, she and her friend abruptly walked out for a drink of water.
Anyway, to cut a long story short, I didn't see her again, until yesterday. I realized then that it wasn't as simple as "telling someone a fact." Here was a classic case of faith versus science. This girl firmly believed what her faith told her. All the science in the world can sometimes fail to shake that faith.
I don't know what she would think if she did indeed witness a fish being cut. Would she continue to eat fish? Or would she stop? It's as much an individual's dilemma as it is the entire faith's. This is sensitive territory, so I should tread with caution. I think faith and scientific objectivity have their own places; what we accept as truth must meet our standards of logic and reason. And since we live in a society and belong to particular faiths and religions, we must also conform. To what extent is a moot point.
I suppose all it is, is a fine balance.
-Astha
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
first time experience of school was not so scaring as i was thinking, learners have similar thinking as we hav at their age.They also feel exited to see new teachers who r teaching in new & interesting ways. BUT still it was my ist time in school lets see what happens further. Let hope for the best & prepare for the worst.
ReplyDelete