Let's say a group of people associated with the construction of the new
courthouse annex just cannot do without a Bhumipuja but separation of state and
church(or temple) will not allow them to perform the Puja at the site of the
courthouse. So the group goes and performs the Puja at a nearby temple.Will the
blessings from their God/god/goddess still transfer to the courthouse? :-) :-)
If so, there is the solution.No one can stop the group from feeling good by
performing the Puja at the temple. The temple belongs to the Hindus since their
devotees finance and run it. On the other hand the courthouse belongs to all -
used by all and funded with state (democratic?) money. Will the Hindu majority
accept it? Comments?
Dilip Deka
--- On Fri, 2/11/11, Chan Mahanta <[email protected]> wrote:
From: Chan Mahanta <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [Assam] Secularism in USA and India
To: "A Mailing list for people interested in Assam from around the world"
<[email protected]>
Date: Friday, February 11, 2011, 9:48 AM
> 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
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