Religious Revivalism in India
B ollywood is spending billions of rupees to bring India’s gods and mythological figures alive on movie screens. This new religious fervour is in addition to the numerous new, monumental temples and other religious structures being consecrated by none other than the Prime Minister himself. I’m naturally tempted to ask whether India is becoming more spiritual. What exactly is reviving: spirituality, religious faith, cultural identity, or the political power of religion? A society can become religious without becoming the least spiritual. It can construct magnificent temples while its people remain indifferent to the suffering of their neighbours. It can celebrate divine heroes on screen while tolerating dishonesty, cruelty and injustice in everyday life. Conversely, a person who never enters a temple may live with extraordinary compassion, humility and moral courage. It is a serious mistake to assume that the visible expansion of religion automatically signifies an inward trans...
