Page:An Essay On Hinduism.pdf/13

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INTRODUCTION

Dharma in India had been indefinite. Christian religion had been unhealthy to political society. But both of these defects are removed in the idea of a written political Constitution.

Under the question as to the supremacy of Church or State lies a question whether the common doctrine and common discipleship or the political allegiance is to be the former of the social groups. The Christian people in the old world yet form entirely an ecclesiastical society. There is State religion. This is a survival or a relic of the past ideal of State. It was formerly regarded in Europe that Christian religion is at the foundation of every State. Every king was required to be Christian, and he was not supposed to issue any ordinance that may be opposed to Christian religion. So Christian religion was supposed to be above all laws. Christian religion is the constitution, the supreme law of the Christian State.

A new order of things resulted from the knowledge that the requirements of any theophratry are not the best basis to be at the foundation of the State. This fact was realized by America earlier than by any other country, and she gave birth to the era of Constitutions. In my opinion those persons who started the idea of Constitution in America deserve at least the same respect which the world gives to men like Gautama, Jesus or Mohamed. I am afraid that even Americans will not agree with me in my estimation of the sages of their revolution, but it will be so because the world is in the habit of venerating men who are thousands of years old.

Hindu method of appealing to Tradition.— Thus, in short, the question whether caste system is permitted by the Hindu religion should not be allowed to be asked at all.

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