Religious views of Periyar E. V. Ramasamy: Difference between revisions

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}

{{Use Indian English|date=July 2020}}

{{Periyar}}

The '''religious views of Periyar E. V. Ramasamy''' resulted in him being considered the [[Voltaire]] of South India. Both opposed religion virulently because, in their views, the so-called men of religion invented myths and superstitions to keep the innocent and ignorant people in darkness and to go on exploiting them.<ref name="Veeramani">Veeramani, K., ''Periyar on Women's Rights'', p. ix.</ref> [[Periyar E. V. Ramasamy|Periyar]] has been a harsh critic of the Aryan influenced Hinduism in Tamil Nadu, more than the faiths of Islam, Buddhism and Christianity. He has spoken appreciatively of these other faiths in India finding in their ethics principles of equality and justice, thus advocating them if they can prove an alternative to Brahamanic Hinduism. With regards to institutionalized religion being used for personal gain, Periyar stated that ''"religion goes hand in hand with superstition and fear. Religion prevents progress and suppresses man. Religion exploits the suppressed classes."'' As religions, however, they are prone to be hit by accusation of superstition, exploitation and irrationalism.<ref name="Diehl">Diehl, ''E.V. Ramasamy Naiker-Periyar'', p.55.</ref>