Challenging social values, morality

The Indian Supreme Court has recently observed through three separate verdicts that gay marriage, living together and extra-marital affairs are not criminal offences. Basically, all three issues are very controversial and sensitive in nature. The meaning of these varies from person to person.
Social values, morality and judgement are vital factors in all faiths. All of the three issues have led to chaos, confusion and conflict among people, societies, and also affected family ties in almost all cases. Many people also consider these as factors related to social disorder and uncivilised activities that are prevailing in the society.
There are some who are vocal and provide their support for the three issues especially in the West. They are also trying to popularise these in south Asian societies including Bangladesh. Most social values and customs in the countries of south Asia are dominated by ideologies. None of the three issues can have any positive influence on any society. The three issues mentioned have no moral ingredients in them. A normal, legally binding family tie has scope for infusing moral learning in the soft minds of children. But these three issues do not guarantee that.
It is being feared that by normalising such practices, the number of broken families is likely to increase in south Asian countries. The number of broken families is already quite high in the West. But this has been comparatively low in south Asian countries till now.
It needs to be remembered that a morally-accepted familial tie is an old culture in society and maintaining it is important for happiness. But the three issues, although apparently legalised in courts, are just modern-day fads.
Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd.
Lalmohan Branch, Bhola.
[email protected]