Kolkata's Bethune College Allows Students to Select 'Humanity' as Religion in Admission Form

[troodon]

Kolkata, May 31: The Bethune College, affiliated to the University of Calcutta, has allowed students to select "humanity" as religion in the admission form. The move has been welcomed by a section of the student populace, who are adherents to no faith but are forced to select among the prominent religions or select the wide category of "other".

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Bethune College, established in 1879, is one of the most reputed girls-only colleges in India. The NAAC-Grade A institute is currently inviting online applications for admission in undergraduate courses. To apply, click here. PG Medical Admissions 2019: Centre Extends Last Date for Registration of Post Graduate Courses to May 31

Mamata Ray, principal of the Bethune College, said the option of describing humanity as one's faith was deliberately added by them to make it convenient for students not adhering to either Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Jainism or Buddhism.

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"We have realised that some students are reluctant to mentioning their religion in the admission form. We appreciate their views as we feel that 'Humanity' is the true religion of mankind," she was reported as saying.

Shamika a Kolkata-based undergraduate course aspirant, said the college should be lauded for taking the "revolutionary" step. "For those who are atheists or agnostics, there was no other option but to tick the faith of their parents or forefathers. Now, there is a logical option to mark oneself as humanist," she said on social media.

https://in.yahoo.com/news/kolkatas-bethune-college-allows-students-054924818.html


I always wondered why an Athiest should be forced to choose between one of the major religions when filling out Application Forms. Finally I see some hope.

 

[someone21]

It's ignoring the problem. Stupid move.

There ought to be more mutual respect between proper religions, and thus more people should learn and appreciate different religions. Instead, here we have a subject of just ignoring the problem itself. That won't solve anything....

 

[Harshu814]

It's ignoring the problem. Stupid move.

There ought to be more mutual respect between proper religions, and thus more people should learn and appreciate different religions. Instead, here we have a subject of just ignoring the problem itself. That won't solve anything....

Actually its stupid to try and solve a problem that doesnt seem to be solving and wont be in near 10000 years , i think this is the best possible solution to religion problem, as long as one adresses and view other people with tilted glasses of religion no ground can be made to solve this problem ,any sane person woulf say this is the best way to adress the issue

 

[someone21]

Actually its stupid to try and solve a problem that doesnt seem to be solving and wont be in near 10000 years , i think this is the best possible solution to religion problem, as long as one adresses and view other people with tilted glasses of religion no ground can be made to solve this problem ,any sane person woulf say this is the best way to adress the issue

Disagree, just like corruption, this religious problems can never be fully solved. Yet, there can be a mutually acceptable culture by making sure both sides learn and appreciate about each other. Instead, this humanity takes a different approach by just ignoring the problem. Just because you take "humaity" studies, it does not take away for phobia with different religions. Work on the problem directly, not ignore the problem.

 

[shaaik]

Humanity as a subject, sounds interesting but lets see how it augers. Agree with posters above that as long as we have bias towards other religions the problem can never be resolved ..

 

[Kaptan]

Humanity as a subject, sounds interesting but lets see how it augers. Agree with posters above that as long as we have bias towards other religions the problem can never be resolved ..

It will not be taught as a subject.
Its just when someone is filling the admission form he/she can select "humanity" as his/her religion.
Interesting idea. If they can provide a data of how many students actually choose humanity as their religion it will be very interesting.

 

[KingKhanWC]

It will not be taught as a subject.
Its just when someone is filling the admission form he/she can select "humanity" as his/her religion.
Interesting idea. If they can provide a data of how many students actually choose humanity as their religion it will be very interesting.

What is humanity?

 

[Itachi]

What is humanity?

Serving human instead of God.

 

[Loralai]

It is a good move and I appreciate the intent but there are deeper problems in sub continent which need to be solved for this to be meaningful.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Serving human instead of God.

Atheism then

 

[Itachi]

Atheism then

For Muslims, yes. For other religions, may not be.

 

[ElRaja]

Atheism then

atheists and humanism are interchangeable terms. i dont really the idea of an ism which is supposed to be an anti ism, but hey ho.

 

[KingKhanWC]

For Muslims, yes. For other religions, may not be.

What is the definition according to the college . Serving humans not God is rather ambiguous.

atheists and humanism are interchangeable terms. i dont really the idea of an ism which is supposed to be an anti ism, but hey ho.

Nobody has ever been able to really explain humanism . It seems the individual picks & chooses what suits then within this term .

In the UK it’s usually options of none or other.