--- On Mon, 9/22/08, Eugene Correia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >With reference to Ingrid Albuquerque's article, posted by Santosh, it >seems >to me that the writer has used the line the word 'Hindu' in the >nominative >sense for all Indians. >
It is hard to agree with a lot of what Ingrid Albuquerque has written, and some of her statements need clarification. But what is clear to me is, hers is an attempt to achieve a compromise between the extreme views on both sides of the sectarian divide, without resorting to jarring hyperbole and shrill rhetoric that are counterproductive to the cause of communal harmony. On matters that cannot be settled by objective evidence, one is entitled to hold an opinion based on faith or intuition. On the issue of lifestyles, it is a good thing if people do indeed choose to treat their religion merely as their lifestyle, which they can certainly do. I for one have made this choice with regard to the religion of my birth and the religions of my friends. What this entails is participating in all the wholesome rituals of these religions, such as the boisterous ceremonies and festivals, and rejecting all their harmful beliefs and practices, as well as innocuous superstitions that are contradicted by objective evidence. The practitioners of this lifestyle are less likely to resort to communal violence or fall prey to sectarian propaganda. Of course, as long as they do not possess a criminal mentality, and in the latter case, as long as they are not hypocrites. Cheers, Santosh
