Gene, origin and religion

We know that it is possible to analyse a child8217;s genes and establish who fathered it. Is it also possible likewise to determine the child8217;s religion from the gene? Even the most liberal and pluralistic societies in the world, let alone the theocratic ones, would seem to consider it a forgone conclusion that the child8217;s genes contain the father8217;s religion, with a mandate to propagate it! It is easy to see the absurdity of this tradition in a mixed marriage. What if it is the mother8217;s religion that shapes and influences the child, and not the father8217;s? Even if the parents belonged to the same 8216;theistic8217; religion, or if the wife has converted to the husband8217;s religion after marriage, is it really possible to find two individuals who have exactly the same appreciation of God?

It is surprising that a country like India in the 21st century should consider, as exemplified in the anti-conversion laws and the frequent rituals of re-conversion, that genes are the real determinant of one8217;s religion. It would seem that if society and parents insist that children belong to their religion at birth, they may actually be nurturing human bonsai, chopping off new branches of individual thoughts that shape the human society. For parents and societies to label religion in terms of genes is, in secular or political terms, nothing short of fascist. This dehumanising practice is worse than even child marriage!

Religion is for people and people are not for religion. Bringing up children likewise is for the growth and happiness of children and not a means to brainwash and use them as cogs in the parental or societal wheel of prejudices. Supremacy is being claimed in terms of muscular and majority power, of race and origin. If religions, and their adherents, actually believe in their assertions on the universality of the soul, the question of origin is irrelevant. The concept of competitive nationalism and divisive politics based on religion are anti-religion. All religions have contributed to human civilisation, which, in turn, has thrown up secular democracy as the most religious system of governance. An ideology that promotes matters of faith as being above the law is political and anti-religion.

Religion, consciously or otherwise, has a profound effect on every individual life. Equality, fraternity and liberty are the fundamental tenets of a democracy. It is the duty of each parent and of a democratic society not to snatch away these ideals from the child. Spiritual brutalisation of the child has far graver implications than physical abuse. In a democracy, the right to vote or to marry is available only on reaching a certain age. Therefore adults alone must have the right to cast their spiritual vote.