Bhandare <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Dear Jose: Do you mean to say that the abominable practise of casteism is a tenet of hinduism?
btw isnt the belief that only christians will ascend to heaven while non believers will go to hell discriminatory in itself? then how come christianity is a religion of equality when it clearly differentiates between those who believe in it and condemns those who dont to eternal hellfire? == Dear Bhandare, Good questions. I will try to answer them. Do not know IF you agree with my submission. 1: Yes, I am convinced that the Caste Discrimination is a tent of what is being practised as Hinduism. I will hasten to add that Goan 'Catholics' who practise the caste system could not be Christians. BTW: if you know of any other religion which forbids individuals entry into certain temples by virtue of their 'low caste' membership - please advise. This bit about "profession based caste" is a bunch of baloney. A Harijan nuclear scientist will always be a Harijan as far as the 'Brahmans' are concerned. These "Brahmans" are just as fair and balanced as the Popes of Galileo's time...and they will treat dissenters just as fairly and equitably as Galileo was treated. 2: Yes ... I believe that too. But you have to understand what the word "Christian" means. "Christian" means Christ-like. It might surprise you that in many ways - Christ taught equality like Marx (in part) did many years later. So please do NOT confuse the teachings of Christ or his life with the pronouncements of RW Christians or the actions of many who profess to be "Christians". BTW: the teachings of Manu and their place in Hinduism (never mind the revision) are quite clear. I'd say this: If one examines the teachings of Christ, one will have to say that Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Ambedkar, the Dalai Lama, the Sai Baba of Shirdi, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, Francis Xavier, Martin Luther King, Bill Clinton are/were all "Christians". All these individuals suffered immense personal hardships in order to improve the lot of poor people. And every single one of them have been maligned by their detractors. Have they made errors? SURE ...but when we evaluate a person - we evaluate the sum total of a person's life. That is how we would like others to judge us - Isn't that right? 3: There is a difference between those who behave according to the teachings of Christ (and Guru Nanak and Gautama Buddha) and those who do not. In that way - we organise our own discrimination by our own bad behaviour (whichever Church or Temple we dress up to attend) I trust you will agree that True Belief leads to Actions. One cannot be a believer in/of Christianity IF one does not ACT accordingly. jc ps: I have left a few pot-holes for those who like to take pot-shots. Please go right ahead.
