[QUOTE=Surya Deva;46552]All citations are provided in the OP, with excerpts from the bible.[/QUOTE]
OK, I’ll check it.
But does your claim that bestiality is condoned in the OT still stand, or do you withdraw it? Or are you going to continue to weasel on this one? Weasels have little credibility in my book.
FINALLY!!!
[QUOTE=thomas;46557]OK, I’ll check it.
But does your claim that bestiality is condoned in the OT still stand, or do you withdraw it? Or are you going to continue to weasel on this one? Weasels have little credibility in my book.[/QUOTE]
I will withdraw that statement for now. I do recall a reference to beastality in the OT once, but I think my memory maybe in error as I cannot find anything of the sort in the recent research I did.
Thank you. That’s being intellectually honest, and you have restored my faith in Hindus, message board posters, and mankind in general.
Surya,
I am new to the forum, but I was quite shocked to the read the title of this thread. The first post in this thread was a bullet point list of the everything that is wrong in the OT. While I agree that there a lot of things wrong in the OT, how does this thread help you with your path to enlightenment? It seems want to list everything wrong with someone’s religious text, but cannot take any criticism of your own. If you think that someone who criticizes your religious text is racist against Hindus, then the claim can be made that you are anti-semitic.
I can take criticisms of my own religion and invite it 
If I can answer the criticism, then I will, if not I will accept it.
I am surprised however by people on a Yoga forum who lightly take to genocide in OT scriptures 
As I said elsewhere if I had found anything even remotely as bad as the OT in my own religious scripture I would
have dropped my religion in a heart beat.
It is understandable that some people are in shock with respect to the contents of this post. It is always so with Westerners, who love pointing out the supposed supremacy and fanaticism in others and the faults of other belief systems when they clearly have their own share of Western supremacist views and ideological faults. After all, who likes hearing the negative aspects of their own belief systems? Grow up fools. We Hindus in the Western world have dealt with enough of your “holier-than-thou” attitudes and have had more than enough of any misconceptions and ignorance on Hinduism and our ways. Courtesy of the Christian run media. Learn to accept the faults within your religions and learn to recognize the hypocrisy you utter every time you open your mouths to denounce other religions and people who are outspoken against the intolerance in yours.
You think what I say is false? Look at the posts of some of those supposedly egalitarian and Universalistic people on this forum. Comments have been made on the right of the West to do whatever it wants. Comments have been made degrading our culture, skin color, and religion. And yet I hear no comments on those posts. Sad. No wonder the West, especially the oh-so-powerful-and-great America, is falling.
[QUOTE=Nietzsche;46665]It is understandable that some people are in shock with respect to the contents of this post. It is always so with Westerners, who love pointing out the supposed supremacy and fanaticism in others and the faults of other belief systems when they clearly have their own share of Western supremacist views and ideological faults. After all, who likes hearing the negative aspects of their own belief systems? Grow up fools. We Hindus in the Western world have dealt with enough of your “holier-than-thou” attitudes and have had more than enough of any misconceptions and ignorance on Hinduism and our ways. Courtesy of the Christian run media. Learn to accept the faults within your religions and learn to recognize the hypocrisy you utter every time you open your mouths to denounce other religions and people who are outspoken against the intolerance in yours.[/QUOTE]
I in no way think that I am superior to anyone else. Nor do I follow a specific belief system, especially a Judeo/Christian one. I also do not take genocide lightly in any form for any reason. Many wars have been fought and many people have died in the name of religions across the globe. I also have a problem with the “Christian Run Media” in the US. I think it is despicable. I have always questioned the views of others especially my christian acquaintances. I consider myself a citizen of the earth. I am simply intolerant of intolerance.
[QUOTE=Star Light;46666]I in no way think that I am superior to anyone else. Nor do I follow a specific belief system, especially a Judeo/Christian one. I also do not take genocide lightly in any form for any reason. Many wars have been fought and many people have died in the name of religions across the globe. I also have a problem with the “Christian Run Media” in the US. I think it is despicable. I have always questioned the views of others especially my christian acquaintances. I consider myself a citizen of the earth. I am simply intolerant of intolerance.[/QUOTE]
As am I Star Light. Intolerant of intolerance. A phrase I have used to describe myself multiple times. But the Western World is the environment you grew up in and no Westerner is entirely free of even the slightest bit of Christianized/Western bias and PC. I understand it is hard for you to come out of the shell of Universalism and the belief of the equality of all religions. But how else would you characterize a scripture with such barbaric and evil content in it, content that is more prevalent in that particular scripture than in any other scripture? A scripture, (along with the NT), that was responsible for galvanizing crusades, genocides, witch burnings, colonialism/imperialism justifications, White supremacy, and so forth? More or less barbaric? More or less wrong than others? No. Simply barbaric and wrong. Relativism does not (not should it be used) need to be used in a belief system that is the most prevalent in the world (and the cause of much ruin).
Funny, most Christians think of the US media a liberal and godless. They don’t seem to be friendly towards Christians at all.
[QUOTE=Nietzsche;46681]As am I Star Light. Intolerant of intolerance. A phrase I have used to describe myself multiple times. But the Western World is the environment you grew up in and no Westerner is entirely free of even the slightest bit of Christianized/Western bias and PC. I understand it is hard for you to come out of the shell of Universalism and the belief of the equality of all religions. But how else would you characterize a scripture with such barbaric and evil content in it, content that is more prevalent in that particular scripture than in any other scripture? A scripture, (along with the NT), that was responsible for galvanizing crusades, genocides, witch burnings, colonialism/imperialism justifications, White supremacy, and so forth? More or less barbaric? More or less wrong than others? No. Simply barbaric and wrong. Relativism does not (not should it be used) need to be used in a belief system that is the most prevalent in the world (and the cause of much ruin).[/QUOTE]
All religions have caused harm. Yes I agree that the OT in some parts is barbaric, but I also believe that all war is wrong. Whether you kill one person or kill 1,000 it’s still wrong. Also, you have no idea how I was raised. Not everyone who is from the US has the same values. I was raised to have an open mind and to love all. I agree that the US media is very much run by Christians and anyone that questions it is squashed quickly. I do not like being lumped into a box of your typical westerner. I am not. I truly believe no religion is better than another. They all have their faults.
[QUOTE=thomas;46698]Funny, most Christians think of the US media a liberal and godless. They don’t seem to be friendly towards Christians at all.[/QUOTE]
I am defining media as methods of communication that influence the masses. It is obvious that US media has Christian biases. Even those who are godless and liberal have blatantly obvious Christian biases.
Look around you. Hatred against homosexuals, people thinking their country was founded on Christian ideals, people believing in the superiority of their precious “Christian” values, and so forth. You would be surprised what people really think once you begin to speak with candor about such topics. That shows you how biased the media and the education system is.
I even had a Chinese guy come and tell me he believed Whites, and pretty much everything they touched, were superior. He began to spout SUCH misconceptions…misconceptions I used to have when I stuck to what Western schools and media “taught” and implied; until I did research and found out the truth for myself.
I truly believe no religion is better than another. They all have their faults.
Then show us any equivalent Hindu scripture that ordains genocide and rape of women. If you cannot, then clearly we have a case here that Hinduism is a more peaceful and civilised religion than Christianity.
[QUOTE=Star Light;46699]All religions have caused harm. Yes I agree that the OT in some parts is barbaric, but I also believe that all war is wrong. Whether you kill one person or kill 1,000 it’s still wrong.[/QUOTE]
So, if certain oppressed minorities in Myanmar/Burma were air-dropped weapons, an AK47 for everyone, they would be totally “wrong” to “go to war” against the illegal non-democratic military regime running their country?
No war can possibly be “just”?
(meanwhile, India has a great relationship with Myanmar/Burma’s military regime… I wonder how other board members feel about that… :rolleyes:)
[QUOTE=Star Light;46699]All religions have caused harm. Yes I agree that the OT in some parts is barbaric, but I also believe that all war is wrong. Whether you kill one person or kill 1,000 it’s still wrong. Also, you have no idea how I was raised. Not everyone who is from the US has the same values. I was raised to have an open mind and to love all. I agree that the US media is very much run by Christians and anyone that questions it is squashed quickly. I do not like being lumped into a box of your typical westerner. I am not. I truly believe no religion is better than another. They all have their faults.[/QUOTE]
I never said anyone from the US has the same values. I implied that most Americans have different degrees of certain biases (Christian and Western) and ignorance. It is the heritage of America. It is the environment you grew up in. I too live in the U.S you know.
Besides, I was raised in India. I was taught to love all and see the good in all. Until I figured out how much B.S that was. What did I see in the world? Deceitful dissemination of Christianized/Westernized propaganda (affecting everything), no improvement from Christians and Muslims even after centuries of having the opportunity to learn, intolerance, and so forth. Muslims still hate Hindus and Christians still scorn Hindus and seek to undermine them. The West has a subconscious aversion to Hinduism, as evidenced by the posts of many of these supposed fair minded people. Look at Flex Penguin’s posts, in which he implies Indian Bollywood actors are gay because they dance, makes fun of our skin color, says “old Indian men have a preference for younger men,” and so forth. Look at Indra Deva’s post which basically says the West can do whatever it wants, whenever it wants (and then tries to cover it up by saying, but its the truth). But of course, you don’t see those posts and instead choose to harp on a veritable truth said by someone who isn’t PC like the rest of the people on these forums.
Now, I won’t go ahead and make any assumptions yet. You are new to the forums and haven’t posted much so I can’t discern much from that. What I am interested in seeing (and will take note of) is the level of Western bias you have. I doubt it is more than negligible but hey, many people on these forums said much the same thing you are saying now and ended up posting anti-Hindu links and defaming India and Hinduism.
You didn’t imply at all, you straight out insisted.
Besides, I was raised in India. I was taught to love all and see the good in all. Until I figured out how much B.S that was. What did I see in the world? Deceitful dissemination of Christianized/Westernized propaganda (affecting everything), no improvement from Christians and Muslims even after centuries of having the opportunity to learn, intolerance, and so forth. Muslims still hate Hindus and Christians still scorn Hindus and seek to undermine them. The West has a subconscious aversion to Hinduism, as evidenced by the posts of many of these supposed fair minded people. Look at Flex Penguin’s posts, in which he implies Indian Bollywood actors are gay because they dance, makes fun of our skin color, says “old Indian men have a preference for younger men,” and so forth. Look at Indra Deva’s post which basically says the West can do whatever it wants, whenever it wants (and then tries to cover it up by saying, but its the truth).
You’re totally taking that out of context. SL, please feel free to go back & read my posts & get back to me with anything that you perceive as racism… I’m sure a rational mind will understand my arguments are not racism against India but simply realistic (much like when Nietzsche discovered that his idealism was “BS”)
Now, I won’t go ahead and make any assumptions yet. You are new to the forums and haven’t posted much so I can’t discern much from that. What I am interested in seeing (and will take note of) is the level of Western bias you have. I doubt it is more than negligible but hey, many people on these forums said much the same thing you are saying now and ended up posting anti-Hindu links and defaming India and Hinduism.
Yeah, anything that doesn’t agree with your Hindutva programming or is critical against India or Hinduism is evil, blahblahblah we know we know…
[QUOTE=Indra Deva;46709]So, if certain oppressed minorities in Myanmar/Burma were air-dropped weapons, an AK47 for everyone, they would be totally “wrong” to “go to war” against the illegal non-democratic military regime running their country?
No war can possibly be “just”?
(meanwhile, India has a great relationship with Myanmar/Burma’s military regime… I wonder how other board members feel about that… :rolleyes:)[/QUOTE]
Have you considered that India doesn’t want to get involved in another countries affairs because it can’t afford to create animosities in the region? What do you think will happen to the emotions in the region if we start helping the masses (as much as we would like to) in Burma and spreading democracy in a place surrounded by totalitarian and communist regimes? It would be a political advantage for China and Pakistan who would do anything to weaken India.
Of course you fail to consider this. As much as it seems nice to help the oppressed, you simply have to consider the larger picture and think for yourself first in the international politics scale. Even the U.S supported dictatorships and regimes that suppressed the masses for their own interests. But does your Western supremacist mind absorb that? Not likely.
[QUOTE=Surya Deva;46708]Then show us any equivalent Hindu scripture that ordains genocide and rape of women. If you cannot, then clearly we have a case here that Hinduism is a more peaceful and civilised religion than Christianity.[/QUOTE]
I will not engage in a " who’s is better" argument with you. I will again say that all religions have their faults. My only real opinion is that everyone needs to take a look at their religions, take note of what is wrong with them, and learn from it.
[QUOTE=Indra Deva;46711]You didn’t imply at all, you straight out insisted.[/QUOTE]
Whoops you are right. Thank you for pointing out an inconsistency. I didn’t mean to make it, but I often make them when my thought process and my attempt to convey what I am thinking converge.
[QUOTE=Nietzsche;46713]Have you considered that India doesn’t want to get involved in another countries affairs because it can’t afford to create animosities in the region? What do you think will happen to the emotions in the region if we start helping the masses (as much as we would like to) in Burma and spreading democracy in a place surrounded by totalitarian and communist regimes? It would be a political advantage for China and Pakistan who would do anything to weaken India.
Of course you fail to consider this. As much as it seems nice to help the oppressed, you simply have to consider the larger picture and think for yourself first in the international politics scale.[/quote]
So, your defense of India’s support of the Myanmar military regime’s crimes against humanity is a “go along to get along” mindset? That it’s better to look the other way to “maintain regional stability”? Seriously???
Really, your position is totally Pro-India at the cost of innocent lives. India does more trade with Burma than anyone else in the region & probably the world. Shouldn’t they do something, or should they just ignore genocide? Should we all just ignore genocides if it’s to our advantage? How many of your Hindutva blood brotherhood agree with this insane stance?
Even the U.S supported dictatorships and regimes that suppressed the masses for their own interests. But does your Western supremacist mind absorb that? Not likely.
You don’t think before you post, do you? Maybe we should have board members pass a Turing test… some members may be bots. They sure answer like Hindutva algorithms…