Hindusim is to be defined by 'white' hindus? caste is institutionalised in Hinduism. If you do not know this , you know very little about India. Catholicism is rooted in european history and european social practices, just as hinduism is rooted in indian history and social practices. This is just the way it is. Trying to understand Hinduism by soliciting the opinions of 'white' Hindus is trying to understand Catholicism by solicting the opinions of Goan catholics. This may be harsh, but they do not matter... The great themes of Catholicsm can be understood by studing the context of the great uphheavels of european history, the decline of the roman empire, the dark ages, the crusades, the reformation, the renesaiance and enligtenment and the industrial reveloutions. Religion may be a matter of personal belief, but its instutiional and social practices are rooted in regional histories...
--- George Pinto <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > --- halur rasho <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > First, caste is, like it or not, a part of > Hinduism. If it has no legitimate basis in religion, > > as you say, you would have to convert every indian > hindu to islam or catholiscism. Ready to take > > on the task, King George? > > > I have heard a number of educated Hindus state that > caste is a social construct which finds a home > in Hinduism but caste is not part of its religion. > i.e. there are many Hindus (some white Hindus > here in the USA who have no caste). That is, one > can be Hindu today and not have a caste unlike a > core belief in Catholicism that Jesus Christ is the > Son of God. Please correct me if I am wrong, > perhaps these white Hindus are not true Hindus after > all? > > P.S. What's with the ad hominem 'King George'? That > too from someone behind a pseudonym! > > > > We can find a million faults with the india > political leadership, but its handling of the > > caste issue at independence does it proud. > > At the very least the jury is out. It is difficult > for me to conclude that the every day lives of > Dalits are better today than say 55 years ago. I am > specifically thinking of Bihar and similar > places. > > > > For the first time in recorded indian history > (unlike your enlightened and > > beloved european masters, George) the > establishment took steps to erode caste. > > I will ignore your humor above. Me, pro-European! > Have you read some of my posts over the years? > > > Regards, > George > > > __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
