--- Santosh Helekar <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > We ought to shine a bright light on all harmful religious ideas and > practices. We ought to > recognize that religion does not necessarily make a person good. There are > many among the > pious and religious who have a sick and depraved mentality, as well. They > should > never be allowed to hide behind any kind of religious immunity. There ought > to be no > limits on religious bashing on Goanet.
I agree with Santosh and would rephrase his last sentence to read "When warranted and fact-based, there ought to be no limits on religious and ideological criticism on Goanet". In the 6 years I have been on Goanet, I have read justified and fact-based criticisms of the Catholic religion (pedophile priests, etc.). The only sick and depraved comments I have read have been made against Hindus, Indians, and Sikhs - at least one comment I protested a month ago. I also belong to another forum which frequently criticizes the govt. of Pakistan and the lack of democracy there, some of it related to honor killings, child labor and issues with Islamic law. I do not believe any religion or ideology should get a free pass. All public truths should be tested in a public way. For devout Catholics and devout religious people there are other devout discussion-lists devoted to their way of thinking, cloistered from the lens of public scrutiny. A place where one can feel secure and comfortable in one's biases and beliefs. Goanet is not such a place - it is the Anjuna flea market and not the Saligao Church. Regards, George
