Simply put it: before the abolition of the caste system, India was doing economically very poorly.
After the abolition of the caste system, India started to grow economically, and now is becoming an economic superpower.
Instead of sterile arguments, facts tell all the story : GDP (Gross Domestic Product) by the year.
That really should read: Before India gained independence India was doing economically very poorly, actually it did not grow at all in 200-300 years of British rule. After driving out the British India started to grow economically, and is now becoming an economic superpower.
In any case if you read what I am actually writing I don’t actually agree with the modern form of the caste system like anybody else. What I agree with is the varnashrama dharma system in Hindu India from the period of 7000BCE to 1000AD, which no objective person would cricise or condemn, looking at the amazing prosperity it produced.
That is a shame since I came to this thread hoping for some Islamic insights. Islamophobia is something I detest and acknowledge as the west’s reaction to a culture war that is unfortunately real. I have written editorial letters promoting the acceptance of the Islamic center near 9/11. I have read things since that give me pause ( Sura 9:5 ) and I know most people are the same and don’t want to take over the world but just to live their lives best but there are in Abrahamic religions some fundamental intolerances that hard to abide, esp. Islam, it seems to me today- I hope tomorrow will bring a larger understanding, I want to believe as Kahlil Gibran said, " Different religions are like the different fingers of the same hand reaching for God ". It is possibly true that the index finger may be the best pointer of the group but they all deserve respect for the effort. I am at my lowest point in years with that simple faith I hope that some Islamic apologist can help me. Namaste
I cannot find anything surya deva has said to disagree with!!! Bravo
It may be hard to accept but it is the truth. I found out by personal unexpected experiences.
Kind Regards Kareng
see last post in the thread… is yoga hinduism… for my support in what surya deva is stating
[QUOTE=TonyTamer;38577]That is a shame since I came to this thread hoping for some Islamic insights. Islamophobia is something I detest and acknowledge as the west’s reaction to a culture war that is unfortunately real. Namaste[/QUOTE]
Tamer, please do not confound Surya Deva with all the posters on this forum.
Surya Deva stated that Christianity, Islam, and other religions should go off the planet. This is an abberation, as I posted right after his post.
I actually quoted Imam Rauf, who stated that Muslim recognize only one true religion, the religion of God. I recognize that Islam as a great religion.
Except for the harsh points that might bring others down
[QUOTE=kareng;38616]Except for the harsh points that might bring others down[/QUOTE]
Is this a continuation of the post you made saying you support SD? I think it must be, I’m just trying to follow things here.
My support for SD is that SD has had the courage to state some facts about Christianity and Islam etc which shamefully, are true. I would abandon my belief in Buddhism in a heartbeat if I were told to go on a killing spree, to rise up against other religions.to damn gays, witches adulterers, to cut off a mans balls for adultery, or his hand for theft, or to stone a woman for adultery…I cant express it strongly enough how outdated and cruel these concepts and actions are.
How can a loving God be called a loving God and on the same page echo hatred and violence, it is illogical.
I am a jealous God…this gets my back up…the suffering caused by Jealousy in todays society is because for century’s it has been accepted as okay…its not. It is a weakness in us that needs to be seriously questioned. not supported as okay, it is a sickness that can get completely out of hand.
I know that if I had to defend my family or myself, I would kill, but I don’t want to have to do this and while ever there are religions supporting this threat, I reject them without question, the same as I would a murderer.
The old books need to be either discarded or re written to help create more stable society’s, worldwide.
I have known since as early as I can remember that violence of any description is wrong
most of us do…what is it that makes others defend a religion that thinks its alright? are they ignorant, crazy, what is it?
I live next to Muslims, 30 years they have brought me food and I have taken round cakes…a lovely couple, I asked them about their beliefs and he said that not all Muslims are fundamentalists and want to make wars, BUT if he was called to defend his faith he would HAVE to. I told him I found this disturbing, he didn’t comment.
In Buddhism, Buddha stated that anyone reading his words should question what he has put and decide for themselves whether they agree or not. There are no expressions of violence and hatred, the only things I have read that express otherwise are references to third eye sights.
I know Christians who have Gay friends, so they are ignoring the Bible and in so doing are proclaiming that the Bible is wrong, in parts. So why not remove these parts?
The pope came over to Britain recently, it cost 12 million pounds and all this whilst children are currently starving in the Niger, Pakistan and Northern India 20 million suffering, etc etc etc etc I find this outrageous,
I do realise that there are corrupt, mentally ill violent people in all walks of life but lets condone it in writing or allow what has already been written to stay for future generations to be misguided by.
Kind Regards Kareng
http://yoganiketan.net/kriyayoga/Kriya_Yoga.pdf
At page 63 of the book you can find that:
Swami Sri Yukteshvar wrote the book “The Holy Science” , urged by Babaji.
He shows the similarity of Christ’s teachings with the Hindu scriptures.
The link above works only if you have permission. Here is another link, showing the unity of all religions, accordin to the book "Holy Science" by Swami Sri Yukteshvar.
Its not that I disapprove or want to banish all other religions just the parts that condone what I have stated in last post
http://www.theharmonyinstitute.org/docs/unity.pdf
“Who worship other gods with heart of faith, they too adore but Me behind those forms, unknowing of the one direct way.”
The Bhagavad Gita[QUOTE=kareng;38641]My support for SD is that SD has had the courage to state some facts about Christianity and Islam etc which shamefully, are true.[/QUOTE]
Ah yes, but have you the courage to acknowledge some shamefully true facts about Hinduism? Or are all the reports, witnesses, and experiences shared by so many all bogus?
Started to re-read a book by the Dalai Lama called Becoming Enlightened and came across something I wanted to share.
He states one may discover which religion is the most profound, but if we ask which is best then the answer is more difficult. The reason being the value of a religion is relative to each individual. One religion’s philosophical view may be very comprehensive, but can still be inappropriate for an individual. Teaching needs to be relevant to the student. So if Buddhism, for example, does not resonate with a particular individual, then it is not right for that person. If it is not right for that person, how can it be the best? Same can be said of Christianity, Hinduism Islam, etc.
The religion which is best is one suited to the temperament of the person. However, that religion must still provide a valid way to develop for that person and valid teachings. I am afraid most Christians or Muslims are not provided that. Their religions are spiritually impoverished. This is most unfortunate for them, for they have not had an opportunity to be exposed to real spirituality. Unless they are fortunate enough to be exposed to a Gnostic sect of these religions.
The Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists and Taoists are fortunate in that they have both valid methods to develop and valid spiritual teachings. In those the most fortunate are those who are exposed to the Vedas, for they are getting the purest form of spirituality on this planet. I consider myself fortunate that I was able to find the Vedas in this life. I must have done something good in my previous life.
If Christians or Muslims have not been provided that, meaning a valid way to develop for that person and valid teachings, what is the motivation for them to stay within their religion? Many are very devout and never leave their faith. Why would one stay faithful to a religion they feel has not satisfied them both spiritually and intellectually?
They do not leave their faith because they want to believe. However, people who are brave enough and critical enough to eventually leave. There has been a massive exodus especially in Europe of people leaving Christianity. If Christianity was so great it would not lose out to Yoga.
Most Christians and Western Muslims are just name-sake only. They do not practice their religion and thank goodness.
I don’t buy that. And I certainly don’t think Christianity looses out to Yoga.
Again, SD I think it’s more how it resonates with an individual. Each of us has different needs that must be met. Different personalities, cultures, lifestyles, intellect. What appeals to one doesn’t necessarily appeal to another. If a religion does not appeal to all, then it is not the “one or right religion”.
Give me your citation that 'most Christians and Western Muslims are name-sake only." What is the % and where did you get the number?
[QUOTE=Surya Deva;38746] people who are brave enough and critical enough to eventually leave. [/QUOTE]
Bravery as defined by who… you… some… even in the East… would call that cowardly… because they would see it as giving into pressure
You are saying those that stay are Cowards, is that it… interesting.
You really need to look into the Daoist philosophy of wu wei? (无为) and I have to start applying it more here myself.
You also need to understand something about the west that makes understanding the east hard for the west… the west compartmentalizes things and for many religions is separated from everything else they do as is work separate from family. To the west, in general, these are not all part of the same thing. Things done in the west generally have little to do with religion so whether Buddhist, Catholic or Hindu it would still be much the same.
And I asked this before and you never answered me, is English you first language? And I ask this because of the experience I have with my own family and at times massive misunderstandings occur due English not being the first language. Half of my families first language is Chinese and for some of them it is the only language and there are things sometimes said or read in English that are taken completely the wrong way.