IF NOT THEN HOW DO I CHOOSE AND ADDRESS MY INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY?
These are the type of questions I keep getting all the time.
Answer: No, I learn from the experiences of the past, including the positive contributions of religions as well as their negative features; similarly, I have learnt from thinkers and philosophers down the Ages.
Socialist theory emphasizing the common good and liberalism underscoring the uniqueness of every individual I think have been the strongest influences on me.
I consider myself a Secular Humanist.
I think working towards a caring, compassionate world, rationalist but pluralist social and cultural order is something which attracts me most.
Nationalism, racism, sectarianism, dogmatism, majoritarianism, patriarchalism - all need to be questioned and intellectually combatted.
I don't know about the rest of the world but our region is the most religion-bound, superstitious and prejudice-infested part of the world.
Only logic, evidence, proof and science can help us create a better social order and cultural milieu.