Calvin,Calvin wrote: I am still struggling to understand *how* the system will function under Dharma. Note, I am not suggesting that I don't believe it will work, but that I am curious as to the mechanism by which it would function. Who decides what, and on what basis?
I believe you'll need to qualify your statement with exact issues you have with a Dharmic centric constitution, if your statement wishes to be taken seriously.
Has there not been Dharmic state structures (prior to arrival of Islam)? Did they not ensure the well being the belief system of minorities likes Parsis, Jews and Christians?
Did they not provided congenial atmosphere for competing systems like Buddhism and Jainism (at the cost of their SD's own existence)? Did they not tolerate and respect hedonistic and atheist sects like Charvakas within the larger framework?
A Dharmic centric state system worked well. Indeed I may ask as why a so called "secular" system has failed to satisfy majority, minority and everyone between them.
My question for you: Can SD survive, flourish and enrich in an atmosphere of an unjust/borrowed state system, wherein numerous rules and regulations fail to address SD concerns?
If your answer is yes, then thread has the potential to move towards minority appeasement issues right away.
If your answer is no, then my view is India is the original homeland of SDF adherents. We are living in our own land. We are not looters, invaders, refugees or squatters.
We do have a choice. We can either permit in people, shelter them and let them adapt or we can shut them out and avoid trouble later on.