> This act of lighting a lamp and chanting Sanskrit slokas too is not > considered religious but cultural.
*** I can understand that, to a point. But to perform Bhumi Puja at the courthouse site goes far beyond following a cultural tradition. BTW, WHOSE tradition is it to chant Sanskrit "slokas" and lighting lamps. Are non-Hindu traditions similarly followed in such pluralistic societies where there are many religious traditions ? >This definition of secularism has been sanctified by years of prevailing usage >and case law. *** It is an attempt to revise the English language. How can "absence of religion" be the SAME as "In India, secularism means equal treatment of all religions." It is, at best a nefarious ploy at deception, isn't it? On Feb 11, 2011, at 9:24 AM, Rajiv Baruah wrote: > In USA, secularism means absence of religion. In India, secularism means > equal treatment of all religions. Thus the multi-faith prayers during "state" > functions. This definition of secularism has been sanctified by years of > prevailing usage and case law. There is also the very widespread practice of > lighting lamps and chanting a few Sanskrit slokas to bless the start of many > functions. This act of lighting a lamp and chanting Sanskrit slokas too is > not considered religious but cultural. > > Trust this clarifies. > > Best regards > > Rajiv > > > > > > Sent from my iPad > _______________________________________________ > assam mailing list > [email protected] > http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org _______________________________________________ assam mailing list [email protected] http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
