Jason Keith is right on the money below. I for one have never understood what is secular about this "secular" forum, and all other so-called secular forums that are engaging in religious propaganda and militating to enforce all kinds of bans for the "glory" of their religion? From my standpoint all of them as secular as Hindu Janajagruti Samiti.
Cheers, Santosh ----- Original Message ----- From: Jason Keith Fernandes <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Cc: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2011 5:21 AM Subject: Re: [Goanet] CSF Pak Telecom Authority, and "Jesus Christ" The antics of the CSF while no doubt motivated by genuine concern seem destined to do more harm than good. In addition, they seem based on ignorance rather than an enlightened position. Take the example of their objection to "Jesus Christ" being on the list of banned words in Pakistani sms. The inquiry of the CSF has been "One wonders why gods of other religions have not been mentioned in the list and Christians, who are already facing persecution in Pakistan have been singled out for such treatment?" What the CSF does not seem to realize is that Jesus Christ, is a revered figure in Islam, as is his Mother the Virgin. Christianity does not therefore, have the sole control over respect being granted to Jesus Christ. A more sympathetic way of reading the ban on the use of this word, would have been to assume that the word Jesus Christ is often used as a swear word for example; 'Jesus Christ! did you see the size of that bitch's tits!!!' Such a use of the name of Christ is offensive not only to a Christian sentiment, but also to 'the glory of Islam', that holds Christ as a revered and special Prophet. Islam categorically does not begin and end ( it does end however) with the Prophet Mohammed. More worrying however are the tactics of the CSF which seems to merely mimic the troubling acts of the Hindu and Muslim rightists. A recent campaign has been against the dubious use of the crucifix in a Hindi film. While one can understand the discomfort and distaste in this action, the calls for a ban on the film, is to only recall the actions of Hindutva activists in a number of cases, cases that seriously threaten the secular environment of India, and the freedoms of minority groups. One should not forget that supporting a trend, will only lend legitimacy to such a trend, preventing any legitimate protest when the same ban is then used against minority groups (minorities of any character, not solely religious). The campaign against the film was supported by the hierarchy of the Bombay diocese, and it is a shame that even members of the hierarchy seem to lack the foresight that is expected of them. The CSF operates on the assumption of a persecuted Church. This may well be a fact. However the manner in which we respond to such a situation calls for a greater degree of caution. It calls for an expansion in the culture of freedom in the country, not for the kind of communally based campaigning that has thus far marked the actions of the CSF. with regards, and despite my differences with your strategies, in solidarity, Jason --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
