Thanks for the comment. If we start talking about casteism prevailing in Christianity, I have to do a separate post for it (which I am likely to do as a follow up).

And the wonderful part is the way the Christian priests slam the casteism prevailing in other religions. Pavam pa Jesus Christ.

Sylvian

Thanks for the comment. And apologies for the late reply. Vishwa I am not condemning all the christian missionaries in General. Like you there are lot of people who misunderstand the evangelists and the missionaries. Almost 99% of the schools and colleges run by christians are run by the traditional sects of Catholics, Protestants and CSI churches. They never get in to direct conversions. I know it better because I too have studied in a Christian School and I know how well they respect other religions, religious festivals etc. What I intended are those extremists who get in to mass conversions and fanaticism.

Sylvian

I guess your post says it all. Patrick, I will always tell anyone that that religion is a “way of life” and not a sect or a group of people who ar different from the rest. It does not matter “per se” whether you go to a temple as a Hindu, do Namaaz as a Muslim or go pray in a Church as a Christian..etc. A Muslim is different from Hindu or a Christian, ONLY in the way of life he leads and not because he does not wear vermillion like the Hindu, nor a rosary like a Christian.

What really matters is the “way of life” that each religion teaches you and how you get the essence from the best practices that emanate out of this “way of life”. One must find time to analyse one’s “Way of Life” and cast all fears aside and question it.

Well, I did. I’m a Hindu Iyer. My elders asked me to do Sandhyavandanam 3 times a day. I questioned them like a rationalist. Then, one day a friend of my grandfather took me, the young “rebel” by his side and explained that the most important component of Sandhyavandanam is the Pranayama. You see what I mean, my forefathers albeit unknowingly have taught me the very thing that would help me this maddening world!! By habituating myself to do Pranayama as a way of life, I am able to cope up the pressures of daily life, official life and also take care of my mental health to a great extent. But, alas, people of my own group, unaware of all this spend thousands of rupees just for Pranayama classes!!

The second thing is that the deeper this “way of life” gets embedded in you, the more your mind and soul get stronger. In my previous organisation, I have had the opportunity to share a flat for 2 years with a Pentacostal family, whom I should admit tried all tricks in the book to bring me and my other room-mate into their fold. But we were steady as a rock. We would hear their preaches and politely refuse whatever they offered. Why should I change my way of life, when I’m happy with it?

See, these are the 2 things that a way of life would bring you. It strengthens your spirit and emboldens your individuality. This, in short is what religion is all about.

Once people start wavering and start vacillating in their seek for this very “way of life”, they become easy prey to such characters you mentioned, be it the Bajrang Dal, SIMI or the Jesus Calls Group.

between,i was educated in a popular christian missionary southern district school and they were more worried about me passing the exam than converting me to christianism…those were beautiful days of my life.i see so many such institutions that work for the betterment of the society and my best friends are hard core christians however i have never felt insecure when i am with them.Thats the beauty of our country,however i see clear trend that is cropping up these days in most of the tribal areas which are really disturbing.let Jesus save them…..

btw,i heard that ur quiz in IQL was good …can u send me ur set Biz quiz that pepared…
anbudan..
Vishwa
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