AGENDA: Tradition does not excuse cruelty in modern times; At what stage do deeply held cultural beliefs and practices clash with a modern compassionate society, asks former Birmingham poet laureate Roshan Doug.(News)

From: The Birmingham Post (England) | Date: April 1, 2008 | Copyright information

Byline: Roshan Doug.

Tradition per se is not - and never has been - a convincing argument or a decent justification for maintaining abhorrent cultural practices.

Throughout history rationale has always collided with superstition and religious beliefs.

You only have to look at different societies' dealings with brilliant individuals like the Italian mathematician Galileo or the German philosopher Nietzsche to see how people - "in all ages" - have tried to suppress their 'subversive' ideas.

But no matter how powerful the social forces might be trying to oppress ...

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