For hundreds of thousand years Ram has been an icon for people in this part of the world. He is known and revered for the character and ideals practised by him in face of great dificulties and not for his ascribing to himself any super natural, Godly attribute like Paigambar or Messanger of God or 'Son of God'. Ram never asked people to follow him. It is the people who have followed him by FREE will. Ram is important to humanity (not just for Hindus) not because he was a historical person or not, but because of the values and ideals he stood for. He never went about places to spread his teachings or tried to influence other cultures and thinking by waging wars or using inducements to spread their religion. The beauty of Hindu culture is in freedom of thought and it has evolved through debates and discussions. The beautiful religions of Buddhism and Jainism are a product of this tradition. Radicalism and dogmatism has no place here. The moment we tried to radicalise or dogmatise it, it will die and will be no different from other religions of the day. So go for the values and ideals personified by Ram. Do not waste time debating on or proving his physical existence. Icons of values and ideals are more important than real persona devoid of values and ideals.
