I am Christian living in India and I have always been and am proud to be an Indian. Christianity is my faith and Indianness is in my being. I have been to various places and have longed to be back home. It's very easy to belittle someone/something you do not understand. The Pope is our representative. He is the symbolic Rock of the Church. He is the Shepherd who guides his sheep. It is disheartening to read what is written but everyone can do and say what he/she thinks. Life is precious and short, live it well. Love your neighbour as yourself.
As long as Hindus keep endlessly explaining their benign intentions to other religionists and giving justifications for actions to defend their religion, they will be taken as weak, contemptuous people fit to be kicked around. Thats why Israel gave no explanation for its anti-proletysing bill, or that Saudi Arabia doesnt give excuses why missionary activity is banned there. That is because these countries know how to protect their religion and civilization by declaring their way of life as non-negotiable, outside any discussion. If you try to breach this law, there's hell to pay. That is the difference between us Hindus and them. In India, in the name of democracy, everything can be debated and demeaned, including the religion and way of life of Hindus. It is amazing just 15 percent minority holding the tail of 85 percent majority, ridiculing and abusing everything in which the majority takes pride. It makes me sick! From now on, no explanations! No excuses! No justifications! Just do what is to be done to protect our religion and civilization We Hindus dont require a character certificate from other religions. Don't do to us what you won't allow to be done to your religion.
RE:No explanations, no justifications!!
by VK on Jun 14, 2003 11:27 PM
"these countries know how to protect their religion and civilization by declaring their way of life as non-negotiable, outside any discussion."
You have such high regard for Israel and Saudi Arabia and still you seem to be happy you were born in India? Thank God you were not born in one of these countries! Did you get that?
I respect Arvind's right to his opinion and have much respect to his writings. He has the right to write what he feels and most of the time I like his writing. I know for sure that what the Pope told and the day I heard that I was waiting for people like Arvind, Gurumurthy and the like to come up with their viewsthough I was sure they would be scathing and maligning. Today's newspaper (The New Indian Express) and rediff confirmed all that. I wish people would be more open to the realities of the world instead of spending time on what should be one's very personal domain - faith.
RE:Demeaning?
by Nikhil on Jun 11, 2003 03:13 PM
HJ George Please advise the Pope and his church to clean up their act and ask them to stop encroaching on the Hindu personal space before asking Arvind Lavkare and Gurumurthy to do so.
RE:Demeaning?
by George HJ on Jun 18, 2003 12:27 AM
Dear Friends,
I posted my message on the 10th and am constantly following this thread ever since. I didn't want to respond to this thread, discussing something which is entirely mine is not what I like and I mean 'faith' here. I respect your opinion and as an Indian it really concerns me when so many people seem to be re-acting to what was a regular remark. One thing is for sure, the comments were blown out of proportion by some good folks, but that's their right ! Let's not make this any more personal, I respect your personal space, appreciate the finer points in everything and I don't care what people think about my religion or people in it, because it's what I think about it should matter and not what others think about it? In the end, I only want peace and amity among us which is above everything else, live together as Indians which is the desperate need of the hour. Have a nice day !
RE:Demeaning?
by Not a pope on Jun 12, 2003 09:57 AM
I agree with Mr George HJ when he writes in his message "I wish people would be more open to the realities of the world instead of spending time on what should be one's very personal domain - faith."
Arvind Lavakare is also trying to say Exactly the same thing that Pope and other missionaries should worry more about love and happiness instaed of meddling with what should be one's very personal domain - faith. Hindus have always considered faith as a very personal thing. Thats why you can find two Hindus with very different ways of worship. It would be nice if Mr George HJ would communicate thins feeling of his to Mr Pope and other similar godmen who think that they have got a contract from God to meddle into other's very personal domains!
BTW, Pope is head of vetican state. Isn't it undiplomatic for head of one nation to crticize the laws of another soverign nation. MEA should write a protest note and issue demarche to Vetican ambassdor for interfering with India's internal affairs. Imagine Mr Vajpayee criticizing Vetican's laws banning abortions or discouraging the use of family planning methods.
The very fact that Mr. Lavakare can use Mahatma Gandhi in various aspects of his articles shows just how all encompassing and universal hinduism truly is: it can even contradict itself and remain harmonious; try attemtping that with any other faith and it will create riots.
Mr. Lavakare's credibility as a journalist is proven through his ability to use as well as reject opinions from the same source.
Excellent article! Dear Prabhupadji,please do not sidetract the issue,or do not read with subjective attitude. Truth is truth wherever it comes from. Pl. put aside the difference of opinion on other topics & support this if you agree on whatever part you agree.We Indians (I dont mean anything bad about Ourselves) often do not succeed because we do not unite, & that's where our enemies take advantage of.Dont take this as an offence. Thank you
You are wonderful. You have time and again exposed the extremist-marxists, their pseudo-secularism and their unholy nexus with the church and mosque in India. This article clearly points out the malicious designs of foreign elements, i.e. religious-political elements. India is a tolerant country, maybe it is time to reverse this trend and bite as soon as provoked. Why doesn't Pope denigrate the laws of Israel, China or even Middle-East? Because the leaders in this country will levy severe restrictions on Church activities as soon as a word is uttered against the state or its laws. Even in the US church has no power, thanks to the secularism concept. But only in India, when such laws are enacted the liberal-marxists will howl, but at the same time give fake calls for secularism when on the other side of the fence. Bigotry of psuedo-secularists in politics and media in India is what strengthens the Pope of world to make such remarks. Sanjay
Good Article! May be the Church need pure open minded souls from Hindu faith in order to heal their souls in Europe and US? And the reason why the 3% in India is having a good faithful Christian Religion is because of their proximity to the beautiful Hindu Religion. After all, the Kerala Christian festivals are a Photo copy of Hindu traditions! Now I heard they are fasting, and going to a newly famous Church on top of a Hill! Any Clue? Oh Sabarimala touch!!!!
