Now that the Presidential election is over, it is appropriate to begin to establish civilized relationships among individuals and communities in the country. Every human being is humanly, socially, hereditarily, psychosomatically, spiritually united with every other. Life begins with relationships. Relationships are fundamental to human existence and for living a human life. Human life is very precious, far more precious than the lives of animals. No one has the right to take away human life. Human relationships continue beyond death through love which manifests itself as stronger than even death.
Life begins with union
The relationship and union of a man and a woman initiates the existence of every human being. When such a relationship is a healthy one, the birth of a child, bearing the fruit of a human womb, is not only the fulfillment for the couple involved but a much expected event for the extended family and friends. The child’s many relationships begin with its birth. Development and progress of individuals, communities and nations take place through good relationships; it cannot be otherwise.
Presidential candidates have been trying to establish trustworthy, reliable and honourable relationships with diverse persons, groups and communities in the country. They profess to establish relationships with human dignity and human rights of all persons intact. Politicians and political parties sign various memoranda of understanding to underline the importance of right relationships. They may not however be keenly aware how resilient and stable they wish the relationship to be. Often the relationship may be inadequate and confined, restricted to a narrow perspective even politically. If they are socially open-ended, truly human and not in any way at odds with any peaceful and law abiding community, they could be of great benefit to society.
Just as human life needs a proper environment of sunshine and warmth, food and drink, dignity, happiness and contentment, human relationships too need a proper environment conducive to a human existence of self-respect and regard. Relationships grow when there is a culture of mutual understanding, forbearance, patience and forgiveness that are nurtured in a civilized manner. Relationships thrive in, intimacy, tenderness, love and affection and grow in genuine humanness when different individuals, groups and communities meet on the same level even while each individual, group or community keeps one’s uniqueness and identity without imposing it on others. Communism, fascism and feudalism, where only the chosen are secure, foists an anonymous ‘mass man’ on everyone where the individual does not count. The ‘mass man’ is lost in the crowd, does not think on his own and does not enter into his own interior in silence and serenity.
All are biased
All come to an inheritance from the family, community, nation, religion, culture, tradition and historical context they are born to. All more or less inherit some kind of bias and prejudice.
Racial, religious, caste, gender, feudal and other prejudices from degenerate outdated ‘walau’ manners of some Sri Lankans with their social irresponsibility have also been inherited by a good many people. However the progressive and intelligent social outlook of parents’ on human dignity, rights, human equality are bequeathed to the children and they inherit right social values congruent to the democratic society of today. Though we seek to be guided by socio-ethical and moral principles, our feelings do not vanish and disappear. Yet they cannot be allowed to remain stagnant.
An acceptable civilized and human balance need to be arrived at. Responsibility for one another cannot be avoided. Though it is a very heavy responsibility, it is bearable when shared by the whole community. Social progress, sobriety and democracy demand that religious, racial, caste, gender and feudal prejudices give way to values of humanity compatible and consistent with modern times elevated by learning and erudition. Each and every social group and their leaders should contribute their particular endowments and capabilities to the overall progress of the whole community which should be receptive to such benefactions and legacies.
It is with wholesome relationships, intelligence and enlightenment that come with education that they overcome biases and re-establish good relationships. Usually, religions have helped diverse people to overcome prejudices. Religions have in that manner civilized people, refined and given them a culture, a process of human growth. However, some human leaders being free and susceptible to evil have sometimes selfishly chosen immediately available political advantages through crafty use of religion. Instead of fortifying long-term social common good, politicians exploiting religion drag a whole people towards trends of domination, decline and degeneration. This corrupts the whole of society.
President must lead to concord
It is always a great challenge to turn back from such positions and venture to change society. But that needs to be done by political leaders who are also social reformers. They need not be irreligious or anti-religious persons but those who follow their own religion with conviction and treat other religions with due respect. Such a nationwide social reformation in the present context has to be initiated by the new President. He has to have the courage and strength of character to give leadership to the people to amend and transform relationships with people and the environment and tread new paths of human growth, agricultural, industrial, social and economic development with a harmonious blend. It is everyone’s hope that such leadership towards concord and unity will be forthcoming from the President and his new team of collaborators.
Intelligence, the word of reason, the spirit of democratic equality and the common good should persuade and influence everyone in the whole national community lest some will remain in their prejudiced mindset and create social bitterness and conflict.
In the mutual outreach to the diverse individuals and communities of our pluralist society and relating well to them could strengthen bonds of better understanding and friendship. It needs to be understood that many people would go any length in pursuit of life with their human dignity, self-respect and honour. This will not be in dissonance with the teachings and beliefs of the major religions of Sri Lanka. In such an outreach Catholics and Christians will be living and experiencing the fulfillment of the command of Jesus Christ, “Love one another as I have loved you.”
It is a great opportunity. It calls for a fund of goodwill, great magnanimity, generosity, understanding and sagacious political leadership to unify the people of the whole country so that they may confidently progress towards yet uncharted new horizons where people will be able to pursue their particular paths to happiness and contentment.
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