Skeptics often deride all faith as blind
faith. They hold that only by skepticism can one avoid being misled by false
belief systems.
Yes, skepticism has its utility in
protecting us from blind faith. But skeptics often overlook that they
themselves are vulnerable to blind faith in skepticism. Blind faith means
accepting something without considering its flaws. When skeptics champion
skepticism, they repose their faith, knowingly or unknowingly, in skepticism’s
capacity to show the truth. But they become blind to its fundamental flaw:
Skepticism can show what is wrong, but can never show what is right. Even if
skeptics encounter the truth in full daylight, their skepticism will make them
doubt and deny that encounter. When skeptics neglect this flaw of skepticism
and still subscribe to it, they end up becoming blind worshipers on the altar
of skepticism.
The Bhagavad-gita (04.40) cautions that
doubters find happiness neither in this world nor the next. Skeptics are the
quintessential doubters. By their inveterate skepticism, they doubt any and
every source of meaning. Thus, they sentence themselves to a life of
meaninglessness, bereft of any fulfilling satisfaction. Further, their
skepticism compels them to live nihilistically, devoid of any higher spiritual
values. Consequently, they sentence themselves to unfortunate destinations in
their next life.
Gita wisdom takes us beyond blind faith and
blind skepticism by outlining a reasonable faith. Reasonable faith is sensible
and verifiable. The Gita (18.63) doesn’t demand unthinking adherence, but calls
for thoughtful deliberation on its message. Thus, it opens itself to
intellectual scrutiny. And it (09.02) asserts that its revelation can be
experientially realized by yoga practice. Thus, it opens itself to the
verifiability test. By analyzing and applying the Gita’s teachings, we gain
increasing realization of our spiritual identity; the highest spiritual
reality, Krishna; and the supreme fulfillment of devotion.
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