Discussion on Holiness, Heal yourself first

why hindu untouchables prefer christianity?
by chandrabose12 on Jun 10, 2003 08:12 PM | Hide replies

My view is "if hindu religion is clean then none needs to worrry. Hinduism segregates people on birth and 100 years back devadasis actually danced in temples!! and Lord shiva has a garland of human skulls!!!!!

Thats the great hindu religion for you

The situation in Tripura today thus vindicates what Swami Vivekanand had said long ago: a convert from Hinduism is not only one Hindu less, but an enemy more. (Page 11, Religious Conversions--Frequently Asked Questions, Hindu Vivek Kendra, Mumbai, March 199

this statement by vivekananda merely makes the fact that an untouchable has no chance but to remain like an despised animal not a human.

Forcible conversions are bad but conversation based on disillusionment of hinduism are a choice given to untouchables

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RE:why hindu untouchables prefer christianity?
by Pavan on Jun 11, 2003 02:33 PM
Who is untouchable these days? Can you please DEFINE untouchability and those "so called" UNTOUCHABLES

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RE:why hindu untouchables prefer christianity?
by kalpana on Jun 11, 2003 12:32 PM
I agree with you Chandan.
In fact, Hinduism is a tradition which is handed over to the people since many ages.And we people have adulterated it to the convenience of a certain section of society. This is agianst humanity, and so people feel disillusioned. However, foreign missionaries take advantage of the situation and lure outcasts from Hinduism to their own fold.
I think that we Hindus are the ones who are responsible for that. Why don't we all pledge not to discriminate man from man. Let us first start with people in our own religion before we talk of greater things like National Integrity.

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Pope and Christanity
by cancerinnet on Jun 10, 2003 08:03 PM | Hide replies

Arvind you are doing a swell job for the Indians to do some soul searching and I am glad that people have stopped and started noticing.
It used to always bother me when people ask me attend meetings and prayers with some form of rewards and never had a platform to voice my growing annoyance.
It also shows there insecurity in their own faith, coz if it had something good then people will adopt them on their own and they do not need to lure them or force conversions which they do it often.
In fact I met a couple of people who were promoting it because they were paid for it and they had nothing to do with the religion. It shows what the real intentions are.

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one caste it is humanity
by ajay on Jun 13, 2003 11:42 AM
Untouchability still prevails in many parts in our country. Recently a dalit woman was beaten and took through the streets naked. Interesting thing is it was done by a group of upper caste women! In spite of all reservations and all, the depressed still remain in their socialy downtrodden status.

But you can see a different picture at least
in some parts especially in kerala. The main reasons behind this is the social awakening by Sree Narayana Guru, the impact of christian population and their activities in the state and influence of the communist party. Earlier even the Nairs who belong to the upper caste status were not free from the wrath of the caste system under the brahmins and had to follow very ugly costoms. But today the Brahmins in the state have ended up in a pathetic condition economically and socially. They deserve to be given some concessions with others now for their existance. Otherwise it will be an injustice to them. It is time for everyone to come together irrespective of these caste notions. World has changed a lot.

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His holiness
by Vijaya kumar on Jun 10, 2003 07:36 PM

The strength of a religion does not just depend on the content of the religion alone. If that is the case, there is no religion that can beat the Hinduism any time. It also depends on several factors such as organization, explanation, service, financial support, peace of mind by following it, satisfaction of learning, generosity etc. etc. While the Hinduism is great in its content it is poor many other aspects. Priests have to be in all places for rituals need for the general public. That can be done only if the priests are treated well. We have Hindu temples popped up all over America. I would like Arvind to visit Priests separately independent of the Board members-he would notice the terrible remunerations and living conditions. Secondly, the priests must generate confidence by truthfulness and sincerity. If not Hinduism however great is sure to die. It lost its ground from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Eastern Islands. It is arrogance to think, it will survive the onslaught of Islam or organizational and financial soundness of Christianity. Vijaya Kumar

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Its all a matter of choice
by Karan on Jun 10, 2003 07:23 PM

I dont know what the whole hue and cry is about. In the end everyone is making a choice, whether it be based on teachings, gains, social structure whatever. Unless someone is threatening force i dont know why anybody else should have a problem. Religion is a part of the personal sphere and as long as the person concerned is not complaing, nobody else has any business to interfere. That is the problem, most people consider religion to still be public, but it should not be so if this country wants to progress at all.

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Holiness,.........
by VK on Jun 10, 2003 07:18 PM

Hinduism's 'Trishul' is no match for the 'Sword' of Islam whereas the 'Cross' of Christianity is no weapon compared to the two! Journalists like you are never tired of crying foul over the 'reign of terror' unleashed by the Islamists while advocating the same against the Christians. Violence is violence and needs to be condemned whether it is used for or against conversion. Those 'armed' with 'soundness of doctrines' need not take recourse to 'might-makes-right' violence since they know Truth is on their side. If you have something to tell us, let us hear you. But no, neither you will preach nor allow others to preach. Such behavior is by no means an indication of proper functioning of the higher mental powers!

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heal thy pope
by sunish on Jun 10, 2003 07:11 PM | Hide replies

I am a catholic and still I am not supporting what Pope said. But understand that Christianity is not a threat to Hinduism or any other religion. Unfortunately since there are many protestant and religious sects who lure people everyone generalize this. No Hindu missionary worked like Mother theresa to help lepers. No sanyasis take care of the sick and disabled.

We are all right in what we say but it would be better if we can consider all points and then criticise about an issue like this

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RE:heal thy pope
by DeeJay on Jun 12, 2003 10:09 AM
Mr sunish,
Qoute from your message
"No Hindu missionary worked like Mother theresa to help lepers. No sanyasis take care of the sick and disabled."

I do not blame you for your ignorance. It is just that others doing this type of work are not publicising it like Mother Teresa did. There are people like Baba Amte who has been working all his life caring for leprosy patients ( The term 'leper' used by you is derogatory and is not used in Baba Amte's ashrams, missionaries may be using it the same way they call Hindu tribals as 'animists'). At least 4 million people have been treated at Baba Amte's ashrams. You do not know this only bacause he was not after nobel prize or front page photographs on English newspapers.
Neither are you, it seems' aware of thousands of schools being operated by Samarth Siksha Samiti and other Hindu organisations. There are thousands of small and big charitable hospitals in interiors of India that are setup and run by hindu individuals, buisness leaders, organizations.
Just because our national (?) English news media ignores all those and they themselves are doing selfless service without going gaga over it does not mean that it is all not there.

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RE:heal thy pope
by samira on Jun 12, 2003 12:15 AM

Dear Mr Sunish,

I read with interest your claim that "No missionary worked as hard as Mother Teresa". Wrong. THere are thousands of Hindu Organsisations, Ashrams Societies take care of the sick, elderly, orphans,etc. Only we don't do it in the name of religion. The only reason we don't hear it in the press is because unlike Mother Theresa, they are not goras. I do respect Mother Theresa, because even as a foreigner she did so much, but please do a little search and you'll find there are lots more individuals involved. Only we don't do it in the name of religion.

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Cultural imperialism??
by indhar on Jun 10, 2003 07:06 PM | Hide replies

When the aforesaid law was passed, I was surprised to hear over the Public address system of a school, needless to say it was run by some christian institution, the topic for an essay : What is the significance of Jesus in the present political scenario.
I was surprised to hear this because jesus had no role to play in the 'past' political scenario, in the present or in the future. So you know where the question was actually addressed to.
So if you think you are flexible, then please keep it that way. Don't make others think that you are a simpleton.
A cultural imperialism is going on slowly and it might be too late before we wake up!!.

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what imperialism?
by jp on Jun 13, 2003 01:23 PM
95% of the money for humanitarian works all over the world comes from christian org, institutes or individuals (set aside the money offered by the UN or any other gov). They dont give this money for conversion but think that it is their duty.

Mother Theresa became famous not because he was behind publicity. It is ridiculous to think that one will go for publicity by sacrificing his life. To earn publicity there are many other very easy methods like that of Mr. Togadia. Mother came to India when she was 18 and lived her whole life with the lepors of Culcutta caring them washing them and serving them. Baba Amte also sacrificed his life for the unwanted in the society. No body oppose that.

If missionaries have been working in india for conversion then christian population in India would not have been the present 2.5%. There is no increse in this fig. They contributed much to our socio economic arena and it is due to them we have a good system of education and health.

So we dont have the moral right to abuse them. Dont praise them but at least recognise their contributions. They have done nothing bad for India than us.

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RE:Cultural imperialism??
by A V Koshy on Jun 11, 2003 08:33 PM
Just a comment that Jesus was a political figure in his times, has continued to influence political thought throughout the ages, and even today influences critical political thought among the vast majority of intelligentsia and the masses. It would become clear to you if you were to read the Bible as a political treatise rather than as a pious book (which it necessarily is). You would be amazed at the strong undercurrent of political thought that runs through the length and breadth of the Book.

Yes, as you assume, if the question was a small process in the hidden agenda of the 'Church', then it is reprehensible. But then, it is just your assumption and it is just my thought.

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