At the Liberal Symposium on Saturday, Father Cedric Prakash, a human rights activist from Gujarat, spoke of a new legislation passed by the Gujarat assembly that required any person who changes his religion to not only inform the local administration but also take their concurrence.
What is the libertarian take on such a law?
At the symposium, I made the point that each individual is the proprietor of his own soul. He alone is the deciding authority as to which god is allowed entry into his soul. He can choose to be an atheist. He can also sell his soul - so conversions induced by economic inducements are OK.
Of course, those in authority have sold their souls to the Devil.
But that's another story!
This legislation should be struck down by the processes of judicial review.
Note how private property is the only foundation of a secure Liberty.
And liberty always means Liberty from The State.
I dont believe Fr Prakash's query needs to be addressed in vacuo.
ReplyDeleteFor true freedom, the state also needs to stop minoritysm.No special considerations to any special interest group in the name of religion especially in education. Abolish the Minority Commission. Down with Haj subsidies. Hands off Saibaba trust.Get the state out of Dewaswom boards in Kerala(the last is truly ironic - a Communist atheist govt managing temples and deciding on which brahmin to hire as a priest).
Fr. Prakash is a beneficiary of state largesse and needs to campaign for total freedom from the state ,irrespective of faith to be credible.Otherwise it is much like lobbying for special interests.
Pravin
addendum: I recently visited the Guruvayur temple in Kerala. The shocking news is that the temple is used as a cash cow for the communist govt. The revenues from the temple are used to fund govt employees.
ReplyDeleteAt the same time,Christian and Moslem churches or mosques are out of the state purview and receive plenty of funds for their activities without state interference.
That is why the state is pushed by Hindu lobbysists to enact other soul-grabbing laws. It is a slippery slope and libertarians have much option but to just criticize the state (but whats new about that -we think they are a necessary evil)
Who owns my soul? My government!!
ReplyDeleteDevaswom control by governments is not just limited to Kelara - It applies to AP, TN and Karnataka too.
In AP the state government distributed (only) temple land to SCs (30% of them are converts to other religions) and the income from temples (only) goes into "common good fund"..
This is selective 'control'..
I vote for zero involvement of state in any religion's matters..
But I am in minority and the party I support (Swatantra) can't even be registred :-(