This is an interesting thread that you have started.
In your opinion, are irrational ideologies inclusive of ideologies that are formed as a way to protect one's own or their community's interests? In this case, I assume that everyone is aware that it is irrational but chooses to turn another way- Does that count as acceptance, or does it come under a different point as no one is convincing you per se? (Think of Haiti's freedom struggle and the reparations they were forced to pay to the French post-french civil war through which liberty, equality, fraternity, etc came out. The French knew that there was no reason for Haiti to remain a colony, yet they chose to look the other way as it benefitted them)
I'm glad you appreciate the topic of this thread. I’ve been familiar with Voltaire’s quote for some time, and I learned that a friend’s daughter wrote a paper on this topic for one of her courses. After the course ended, she kindly shared her paper with me, and I’ve drawn on some of her insights in my posts.
All ideologies have their flaws because they are products of the human mind. Logic itself has limitations, as Immanuel Kant was the first Western philosopher to expose.
Now, to address your question: Practices, rather than ideologies, that emerge to protect oneself or a community’s interests don’t necessarily count as absurdities. Instead, they can be seen as ways to assert hypocritical power if you are the aggressor, or as survival mechanisms if you are the oppressed.
Human beings are inherently selfish, but true spirituality lies in the ability to overcome this innate selfishness. Let’s consider your example, though it may not fully align with the broader implications of Voltaire’s statement.
Your example highlights one of the most glaring contradictions in modern history: the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity, which emerged from the French Revolution, juxtaposed with the oppression and exploitation of Haiti, a former French colony. It underscores how economic and political self-interest often trumped moral consistency.
France forced Haiti to pay reparations to compensate French slave owners for their "loss of property." This was an enormous sum, equivalent to billions in today’s terms, and it crippled Haiti’s economy for generations. The irony is striking: a nation founded on revolutionary ideals of freedom demanded reparations from formerly enslaved people for liberating themselves.
Haiti was the wealthiest colony in the world, thanks to its sugar and coffee exports. Losing it was a significant blow to France’s economy. By continuing to extract wealth from Haiti through reparations, France reinforced its global standing and sent a warning to other colonies.
While the French Revolution championed equality, these ideals were often limited to European populations. Colonial exploitation persisted as empires prioritized material gain over ethical governance.
This serves as a reminder that ideals often clash with the realities of power dynamics.
Voltaire’s comments are not contradictory to the universal teachings found in the Gita and Upanishads. They do not conflict with the correct understanding of God.
Swami Dayananda Saraswati, a teacher of Vedanta and PM Modi’s guru, is attributed with a quote that I’ll paraphrase: God is not to be believed but understood. This understanding transcends the mind (how this happens is a topic for another discussion). However, a deluded mind cannot grasp this.
Those who believe in absurdities and are thus capable of committing atrocities are plagued by a tamasic mind. Swamiji used to say that we are all normally delusional, and studying the Gita can help. If someone is delusionally delusional, they may need professional help to become normally delusional first!
A tamasic mind is closed and cannot appreciate the richness of spiritual teachings. It is capable of violence, whether expressed overtly or in an underhanded manner. The best approach is to avoid engaging with such minds.
A person committed to universal teachings, free from irrational beliefs, and who views all as fellow human beings, meets the minimum prerequisite for spiritual maturity. In another thread, I highlighted areas where irrational beliefs harm society at large.
With the amount of spam here, I’m not sure it’s possible to have an ongoing dialogue.
I appreciate your style of writing, your curiosity to learn, and your willingness to explore topics.
