Ernie : The purpose of news, a common form of news anyway, is to serve as a warning system. In those terms the article serves a useful purpose. It lets people know about potential dangers to themselves. And it calls into question frequently repeated pronouncements about how good Islam is if only we ignored its bad elements. As if its "bad elements" were not in evidence not quite universally.
But , yes, by all means, if you have news of Hindu attacks on Christians, I would like the information, any available hard data . That would also be useful to know. Some Hindus, maybe more than anyone would like to think, deny that fellow believers can do bad things. Or deny it to others even when they know better, Meanwhile, FYI, here is a choice item supplied by a conservative Hindu site that may interest you. Not sure what conclusions to draw from this story, but something to wonder about. Billy ------------------------------------------------ _A Tale of two Hindu Temples in Pennsylvania _ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FHRS_USA/message/13264;_ylc=X3oDMTJzcTBjNTA4BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzE0O DMxODgwBGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTA3NTk5MQRtc2dJZAMxMzI2NARzZWMDZG1zZwRzbGsDdm1zZwRzd GltZQMxMjQwODM2MjIz) Posted by: "Mysore Prakash" Sun Apr 26, 2009 Namaste, Recently a township (West Pikeland) in Pennsylvania was sued by local Hindu Temple authorities for refusing to grant permission to expand their place of worship. A reporter, Paul Carpenter, wrote an article comparing the situation in West Pikeland to another Hindu Temple in North Whitehall. Thanks to Mr. Carpenter for this nice piece. Om Shanti. Mysore Prakash --------------------------------------------------- Township is not as hoity-toity, but has more class than West Pikeland with regard to Hindu temple Paul Carpenter April 26, 2009 The hilltop complex of three beige buildings is a feast for the eyes that is visible for miles. The view from the complex is also a delight. The panorama to the north includes Blue Mountain's spectacular Lehigh Gap. To the south there is a great view of Allentown, dominated by the PPL Building and framed by South Mountain in the background. The big main building is imposing, topped by triple traditional Hindu spires, but there is plenty of room for the complex -- 20 acres. I have enjoyed the views both of and from that complex on my two-wheeled jaunts in North Whitehall Township in recent years. The complex on the aptly named Clearview Road, two miles west of Route 145, is called the Anoopam Mission, or the Shree Swaminarayan Spiritual and Cultural Center. I returned to the Hindu complex the other day because of a news story about another Hindu complex in Chester County. This one is in the oh-so hoity-toity West Pikeland Township, south of Pottstown. West Pikeland is being sued in federal court, it was reported by The Associated Press, because municipal officials there have quashed plans for a large Hindu temple complex, even though there also is plenty of room for it -- 24.5 acres. The AP said Township Supervisor Chairman Bob Shemonsky felt a Hindu complex would have, in the AP's words, ''mitigating adverse effects on the surrounding community.'' I obtained a copy of the lawsuit and learned that some residents of the nearly all-white township reacted with ''shock and anger'' over the idea of a ''mosque'' in their area. (Mosques are for Muslims; Hindus are not Muslims, but many of them do have similarly dark skin and hair, so Bubba asks, what's the difference?) West Pikeland's Hindus now use an old farmhouse at the site to worship, but wanted to build a traditional temple, spires and all. The township said in 2002 they could build a tiny structure, but turned down a larger one after eight hearings, ending in January. Such a temple, the township said, ''will not be compatible with and in keeping with the existing character of the neighborhood.The township said in 2002 they could build a tiny structure, but turned do The lawsuit says the township zoning ordinance allows for churches, and the suit says that municipal staff members use public funds ''to actively and vigorously promote Christian observances,The lawsuit says the township zoning ordinance allows for churcheTh I also read the final township order of March 18, which said a Hindu temple would have an ''adverse impact'' on the area. It even prohibited certain things for the small existing facility, including any bells and any external lighting of religious edifices. It also banned wedding receptions and any sort of ''soup kitchen'' to help the needy. (I am trying to picture a government body anywhere in America that would try to get away with such restrictions on a Judeo-Christian establishment.( Turning to the situation in Lehigh County, I asked Kenneth Nicholson, North Whitehall's zoning officer, if there were such conflicts involving the establishment of the Anoopam Mission. Nope. He said the imposing structures got a township go-ahead in 2000. The complex received a building permit in 2001 and a certificate of occupancy in 2003, all without a peep of protest from anybody, with one small exception. Some neighbors complained of car headlights shining in their windows from the complex parking lot. ''They [the people at the complex] put up a fence and that took care of it,'' Nicholson said. ''They are very accommodating.So I told him the relationship sounds downright cordial, and I asked whether North Whitehall has imposed any special restrictions -- such as a ban on bell ringing at any religious establishment that is not Judeo-Christian. ''No,'' Nicholson said. West Pikeland may be more hoity-toity than North Whitehall Township, but North Whitehall has more class -- way more. ---------------------------------------------------------- "Vasudeva is All (BG 7.19)" In a message dated 4/27/2009 9:58:27 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: Hi Billy, While tragic, I'm not sure what point you're trying to make. Muslim atrocities are horrible, and I agree: calling Islam a "religion of peace" misrepresents its past, its text, and much of its present reality. At the same, I could easily fill this list with stories of Hindu atrocities against Christians -- but would that prove (or accomplish) anything? -- Ernie P. On Apr 27, 2009, at 9:42 AM, [email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) wrote: Protestant clergyman and wife killed with machetes [ Latest in series of murders committed by Muslims ] ("AsiaNews", April 27, 2009) Jakarta, Indonesia – Police found Rev Frans Koagow, 64, and his wife Femy Kumendong, 73, at their home, dead, killed with machetes. The couple lived in Manado, capital of North Sulawesi province, where a majority of Sulawesi Island Christians live. Most local Christians are Protestant. Malalayang Police Chief Anthony Wenno said the murderers had not yet been identified but that they were looking for two men who came to Reverend Koagow’s home on a motorbike around 7 am. Police also said that nothing was stolen from the two murder victims so theft or extortion can be ruled out as possible motives. Some witnesses said that when the suspects came to Rev Frans Koagow’s home, they were told that he was not there but in a nearby kiosk. The two men met their victim there and after eating together they accompanied him home where they killed him. Tensions between Christians and majority Muslims on Sulawesi Island have been high and over the past few years clashes and violence have become commonplace. In several of the island’s provinces Christians have been murdered. _______________________________________________ Centroids mailing list: [email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) _http://radicalcentrism.com/mailman/listinfo/centroids_radicalcentrism.com_ (http://radicalcentrism.com/mailman/listinfo/centroids_radicalcentrism.com) Archives at http://radicalcentrism.org/pipermail/centroids_radicalcentrism.com/ = _______________________________________________ Centroids mailing list: [email protected] http://radicalcentrism.com/mailman/listinfo/centroids_radicalcentrism.com Archives at http://radicalcentrism.org/pipermail/centroids_radicalcentrism.com/
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