I observe that the current generation (Gen Z) is deeply lost in the illusion and distraction of social media and material trends, disconnected from our Vedic roots.
Srila Prabhupada always emphasized that cow protection is essential for human civilization. However, when we speak to the youth today, they see it as "outdated" or "religious dogma."
How can we scientifically and spiritually present the importance of Cow Protection to the modern, logical, and distracted mind? What practical strategies can we use to wake them up from this slumber and engage them in service to Mother Cow, not just as a ritual, but as a revolution against the cruelty of Kali Yuga?
Beyond maintaining Gaushalas for old cows, what is the Vaishnava perspective on active, legal, and social activism to abolish slaughterhouses? How can different Dharmic communities like Sikhs and Vaishnavas come together to create a stronger, unified front to demand a total ban on cow slaughter in today's political environment? Hari Hari.
Replies
Hare Krishna
I think the fact that people think that meat is essential for protein and other vitamins is a big reason for animal slaughter.
,ayye educating people about the fact that vegetables can provide BETTER source of vitamins and minerals and that it is meat eating only which had reduced the supply of food grains available since we have to feed a LOT OF food to those animals which have to be cut , but then give only a fraction of food in comparsion to what was consumed.
Also I feel like educating children about hell, karma, and what is actually DHARMA and how animal killing is cruelty and they also feel the pain is also crucial, by only writing in books of very small kids is not sufficient having these knowledge throughout their childhood is very important.
People of Japan are taught about cleanliness from their childhood, they clean their school from childhood to youthhood, so by doing and that too consistently for years have made them so perfect in that , that they will keep the wraper in their own pocket, but will never throwi0 them on street. I think it is a practical approach, of course as individuals only have a limited scope , authorities have to take actions with them. But as srila Prabhupada used to say, what can we expect from government where voters are Sudras (not much intelligent) and the prime minister (head of the government, not pointing out any specific person) is also a sudra.
Hare Krsna.
Do you really think that compassion can ever hit their heart who are making too much aparadhas (offenses) day-by-day? Even if we try to implement the educational approach you mentioned, I see significant barriers with today’s ignorant youth.
They are conditioned to reject anything they cannot see (like Hell or Karma) as "mythology." They demand material proof for spiritual truths. They view Dharma as outdated rules rather than universal laws. Today's youth often think they know better than Sastra because of modern technology/science.
The modern culture promotes "You Only Live Once," which encourages maximizing sensory pleasure (meat, intoxication) now, rather than thinking of future karmic reactions. The tongue is so uncontrolled that ethical arguments fall on deaf ears. Hari Hari.
Hare Krishna
I know about that, that is why we should Incorporate it from their childhood.
I agree that people want material proofs because they don't understand, that when their teacher tells me to just remember something in maths/science because it cannot be explained with the limited knowledge they have right now, similarly it they have to accept the authority of Vedas since, it is beyond the conception of material knowledge. This YOLO culture is mainly due to the influencers and so called motivational speakers, who are spreading this malice in the society, without any things to back this up.
Although I still believe that educating people about Vedas and shastras is important way to make them stop all this nonsense ( as I also learned after reading BG and from lectures from devotee) , of course it is still hard to completely end all these. Even in satyuga demons existed who went against the devotees, so what to speak of Kali Yuga.
Superb topic and great discussion between two gen Z bhaktas
Maybe we can have some opinions of senior devotees like you too mataji