Pope - "Harvest India to Christianity"

Spirituality Religion
#41

[QUOTE=thomas;47545]I think you misunderstood my statement.

But don’t you think Hinduism is the best gift you could give to mankind?

If not, what would it be?[/QUOTE]

I do not think that. I have made it clear that I disagree with SD in this matter. I think all religions and belief systems are valid within their own regions, countries, cultures, and so forth (with the exception of Abrahamic religions). I could care less about sharing Hinduism. People are much happier following what fits their circumstances best. Tell them about your religion if they ask. But other than that, I believe it is best to just leave them alone.

The only exception is when devious Westerns with Christianized biases come to India to learn Yoga only to strip it of its Indian roots, to spread lies about its origins, and to keep insulting the religion in question. Then don’t teach them. People who have a history of acting superior and conquering “inferior races” do not deserve knowledge of other cultures, religions, and practices.

#42

What would you say to those Christians who tell other Christians they cannot practice yoga because it is of Hindu origin, involves the practice of Hinduism, and would be contrary to their faith?

#43

[QUOTE=thomas;47552]What would you say to those Christians who tell other Christians they cannot practice yoga because it is of Hindu origin, involves the practice of Hinduism, and would be contrary to their faith?[/QUOTE]

Burn the heretics at the stake. Burn all Hindu books. Shun every Hindu and don’t let your Christian sons and daughters play with demon worshiping Hindu children. :wink:

All sarcasm and cynicism aside, I can see where you are coming from. Perhaps I should have made my point clearer when I said “except Abrahamic faiths.” All religions are ok within their own cultural and geographical contexts. But the problem arises when people use that religion to harm others. That shows an inherent fault within the doctrines of that religion and shows that it needs to be eradicated. A religion that violates the sovereignty of others is no religion in reality.

With that being said, I would proceed answer them in the manner SD and I have answered all narrow minded people on this forum. :smiley:

#44

But I would think you would praise them for their honesty AND for acknowledging the roots of yoga, and not trying to water it down, Christianize it, or deny its heritage.

#45

[QUOTE=thomas;47557]But I would think you would praise them for their honesty AND for acknowledging the roots of yoga, and not trying to water it down, Christianize it, or deny its heritage.[/QUOTE]

Oh, I know. But I would argue them on the narrow minded scope of their general beliefs. I thought that was the intent of your question. But, as I have indicated before in another post, I would eventually acknowledge that their insularity is at least honesty with respect to their tradition. More honest than people with Christianized biases who try to take Yoga and subvert it to their own culture while denying and insulting its roots.

But also realize that this kind of narrow minded view eventually spawns action; action against that religion or followers of that religion. And when those Christians have power…

If only more Christians were like you…

Besides Thomas, I had a question. Doesn’t it surprise you that there are no Muslims here?

And I also had a suggestion. Be frank with your Catholic friends. Ask them openly about what they think of other religions. Ask them what they think of idol worship, multiple gods, and so forth. Observe their response. Make sure they are not being politically correct.

#46

Does it surprise me there are no Muslims here?

No, because I have been on several other boards, and have never seen one there, either. But I never really thought about it until now. Why do you ask?

Again, though I mean no disrespect to those who believe in Islam in good faith, it is hard for me to identify with that faith as if it is similar to my own, because it is “Abrahamic.” I believe our religions are worlds apart, and culturally speaking, we Christians are much more accepting of other faiths and beliefs.

And I think my Catholic friends would not be so hard on other religions as you think. But I think they would see it more from the perspective of the person who believes in a particular faith, and give him credit for belieiving and doing what he thinks is best.

#47

[QUOTE=thomas;47560]Does it surprise me there are no Muslims here?

No, because I have been on several other boards, and have never seen one there, either. But I never really thought about it until now. Why do you ask?

Again, though I mean no disrespect to those who believe in Islam in good faith, it is hard for me to identify with that faith as if it is similar to my own, because it is “Abrahamic.”

And I think my Catholic friends would not be so hard on other religions as you think. But I think they would see it more from the perspective of the person who believes in a particular faith, and give him credit for belieiving and doing what he thinks is best.[/QUOTE]

Because most Muslims generally hate Hindus. They think Hinduism is a mythological religion when all the folklore and the stories and the worship is only a subset of Hinduism. It is in their religion, as it is in most other Abrahamic religions, to be intolerant of other religions. There are even words like “haraam” and “kaffir” to describe heretics and heretical practices, and the latter is considered an offensive term. Kind of like how there’s the word “pagan” in the English language. Yoga is considered one of those practices. Hence most Muslims don’t practice it. And those who do are not following the Quran and thus, not Muslims. Those who do are considered an anomaly and branded as not Muslim and suppressed. Look at Indonesia and Malaysia. They have officially banned Yoga. Look at the M.E. There is no need for a law officially banning Yoga since most of the population in those countries would never dare to think of such a thing. They would probably have fatwas issued on them faster than they can say “Can Yog-” Poor Salman Rushdie.

But of course, the PC people on this forum do not get this. They still think its all nice and fun in the outside world. They think “Muslims” are tolerant and peaceful. If so, then why are there no Muslims on this forum and most other forums like this on the Internet? Why the laws banning Yoga? Why the hate against Hindus (which the PC people on this forum won’t know since CNN doesn’t report it)? Why the [insert terrorism, genocides, violence, etc, in the name of Islam]?

Same story with Christians. But of course, most of the PC people on this forum think all Christians are like you (which I wish they were). How nice it would be to see a Christian fundie…I have certainty seem them in the Hindu Dharma forums; but they are routinely trashed in debates and eventually banned from the website. So entertaining to watch…

And the uproar it caused there when someone posted a link to a guide on converting Hindus…“Hindus are not as easy to convert like the rest…”

#48

It isnt your concern if you, as a Hindu, believe in Karma…

#49

[QUOTE=kareng;47572]It isnt your concern if you, as a Hindu, believe in Karma…[/QUOTE]Could you please elaborate a bit on your statement? I don’t how “believing in karma” would make someone ignorant and not having opinions on wordly matters. In fact, from the very little knowledge I have about karma, I thought it was actually the other way around.

#50

[QUOTE=theseeker;47747]Could you please elaborate a bit on your statement? I don’t how “believing in karma” would make someone ignorant and not having opinions on wordly matters. In fact, from the very little knowledge I have about karma, I thought it was actually the other way around.[/QUOTE]

Ignore Kareng. She is half-Indian but has had a Christian upbringing. You know what that means Seeker.

#51

[QUOTE=Nietzsche;47751]Ignore Kareng. She is half-Indian but has had a Christian upbringing. You know what that means Seeker.[/QUOTE]

It unfair to dismiss Kareng just because she has had a Christian upbringing, Nietzsche. Even atheists have had christian upbringings, this does not change the fact that they are atheist.

I dismiss Kareng not because she has a Christian upbringing, but because she is obviously a new-ager, uncritical and pretends everything is OK and loving and compassionate and nobody is wrong and everybody is right. New agers accept anything just because it feels good.

#52

To theseeker…If Nietzsche chooses to continue talking that way, feeling that way, expressing himself that way towards others, with anger, resentment, name calling etc etc…he will suffer the same…and so it goes on…thats all really…

#53

[QUOTE=Surya Deva;47756]It unfair to dismiss Kareng just because she has had a Christian upbringing, Nietzsche. Even atheists have had christian upbringings, this does not change the fact that they are atheist.

I dismiss Kareng not because she has a Christian upbringing, but because she is obviously a new-ager, uncritical and pretends everything is OK and loving and compassionate and nobody is wrong and everybody is right. New agers accept anything just because it feels good.[/QUOTE]

But the difference is she [B]maintains[/B] that upbringing in the form of New Ager ideals, unlike atheists and other rational thinkers who grow out such closeted notions. Sorry I didn’t completely mention what I was thinking before.

And yes, you are correct about New Agers.

#54

[QUOTE=Surya Deva;47756]It unfair to dismiss Kareng just because she has had a Christian upbringing, Nietzsche. Even atheists have had christian upbringings, this does not change the fact that they are atheist.

I dismiss Kareng not because she has a Christian upbringing, but because she is obviously a new-ager, uncritical and pretends everything is OK and loving and compassionate and nobody is wrong and everybody is right. New agers accept anything just because it feels good.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for dismissing me, but don’t think that will stop me…nope, I’m here to haunt you

Okay, I can be critical…none of you are creative, just boring dribbling facts that happened on Jan 17th 7624 B C…or Kill the Christian damm the Muslim…knowing you do not have the strength of will to avoid reading what I have written…and who says I’m loving and compassionate…I hope you trip on your satchel and injure your toe
Oh yes and as for me thinking nobody is wrong, don’t be silly, you and snitzchel are!

Experience is everything SD

#55

[QUOTE=Nietzsche;47759]But the difference is she [B]maintains[/B] that upbringing in the form of New Ager ideals, unlike atheists and other rational thinkers who grow out such closeted notions. Sorry I didn’t completely mention what I was thinking before.

And yes, you are correct about New Agers.[/QUOTE]

No Nitesczhes …closeted notions are the ones you posses by believing that your faith is the [B]only[/B] faith that has anything profound in it…

#56

me thinking nobody is wrong, don’t be silly, you and snitzchel are!

Experience is everything SD

Experience is not infallible. People can also have hallucinations.

#57

[QUOTE=Nietzsche;47751]Ignore Kareng. She is half-Indian but has had a Christian upbringing. You know what that means Seeker.[/QUOTE]

No it wasn’t a Christian upbringing…I attended out of choice. Good storys, sound teachings, kindness, really good memorys…

#58

[QUOTE=Surya Deva;47766]Experience is not infallible. People can also have hallucinations.[/QUOTE]

But the experience is known in Hindu,Buddhist, Sikh and Jain faiths…,fancy you not knowing this…,.,its the only thing you appear to know nothing about…go and do your homework Surya please. It’s not fair to comment and do nothing to educate yourself in this…I have mentioned this to you before…I’m sure you remember.

#59

Nope, it is not experience, but direct experience born out imeditative perception which is mentioned in Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh scripture. And even then this evidence is only convincing to be the person who is directly experiencing it, not to somebody who is not.

The proof that the pudding is tasty is only knowable to the taster.

#60

[QUOTE=Surya Deva;47771]Nope, it is not experience, but direct experience born out imeditative perception which is mentioned in Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh scripture. And even then this evidence is only convincing to be the person who is directly experiencing it, not to somebody who is not.

The proof that the pudding is tasty is only knowable to the taster.[/QUOT

Well of course its my experience that you cant see, or taste…thats obvious…my point is it is a vital ingredient in spiritual progression that everyone is able to experience…now how much clearer can I make it…it isnt what you say and you are wrong…here I am telling you that you are completely utterly wrong, wrong wrong…

Now the subject is closed until you’ve done some homework on it…