Dear Sri Vasu -
The statement that ALL people accept Srimad Bhagavad Gita on par with the Bible or Quran is not true. Most Christians would consider the Bible as supreme and Muslims would consider Quran as Supreme. While Sri Ramakrishna is free to think that it is others opinion and restate it, it is neither others opinion nor true.
We have to offer a great deal of respect to Sri Adi Sankara even if we counter advaitam. But we may have to refrain from offering the same respect to some one like the Prophet as his life is very immoral. While it is true that all have to be seen equally on the spiritual plane, we definitely have to make distinction in the material world.
The truth, if unpalatable and useless in a context, may not be stated. But truth exists irrespective our statement. After Galileo gave up his theory on solar system under the influence of the Church, he was heard saying, "But they still move". Truth, even if powerless would persist. That is the nature of truth.
Was Bible not changed over time by the Church ? Did Mohammed not covet jewish women ? When one criticizes these actions, we are not condemning the antaryami within but the human fraility. Even if we expose the flaws in Bible or Quran and establish their inferiortiy, some sentimentalists would be hurt. But that should not matter at all. How are you sure that no smarta is sentimentally hurt when you condemn Sri Adi Sanakara's philosophy ? We are probably taking a soft attitude towards Christianity and Islam because we live in a predominantly Christian - Islamic world. We dont take the same attitude towards smartas.
My intent is not to offend and please forgive if I have offended in any way.
Yours humbly
Rajaram V.
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