[Goanet] God sucks

[Sandeep Heble]

Even though I made myself quite clear that the word "oxymoron" was
used quite liberally to depict some kind of a self-contradiction,
Miguel and Mario continue to keep this childish game go on. This is my
last response to them on my usage of this term, as I have neither the
time nor the inclination to join them in their baby-talks. They can
however go on and on if they wish to.

Miguel's contention is that the Hindu (or Indian) mythology is as much
his as ours and he can use those terms and concepts quite liberally
(and rightly so), but words from the English language are his and not
ours, and they need to be used quite strictly the way he wants them
to, even though several writers periodically use such terms quite
liberally in their diction.

Here is what I wrote earlier to illustrate a kind of a self-contradiction:

Samir's post, if read literally, will be a kind of an oxymoron, for
being an atheist he does not really believe in God. So it would be
foolish of him if he were to really mean that "something that does not
exist" sucks.

Here are some other illustrations in which the term oxymoron has been
used quite liberally, to denote similar kinds of self-contradictions:

A curious oxymoron is the presence and practice of the caste system
among the Roman Catholics of Goa and Mangalore. For centuries after
conversion to Catholicism, caste discrimination was practiced even
within the precincts of the Church !. This is slowly dissipating…….by
Jose Colaco in his article on the Caste system

In her essay "The Algebra of Infinite Justice" Roy talks about the
policies of the United States and how it uses war and policies to
promote the "American way of life". She starts by pointing out that
even the name of this war "Operation Enduring Freedom" is a bit of an
oxymoron….in Peer Papers.

The notion of a social democratic movement based on entrenched social
status must seem like an oxymoron….By: Peter Zoller, Publication:
Arena Magazine

If I sit and do a "google" search, I could come up with numerous more
of such instances but what's the point? Samir has been gracious enough
to start a new and a separate thread titled  "Concept of God", whereas
all this has no real relevance to the main topic and will serve as a
mere distraction. Perhaps that is what they want it to be.

I shall post my thoughts on the "Concept of God" thread initiated by
Samir a little later.

Cheers
Sandeep

[Goanet] GFA knock on Figo, Eusebio's doors

[Goanet Sports]

GFA knock on Figo, Eusebio's doors
Portuguese Greats Invited For Anniversary Bash

Marcus Mergulhao I TNN


Panaji: In footballing terms, Goa could well sample original port in a toast 
at the state's football association's golden jubilee anniversary celebration 
next month.

Three Portuguese football greats are more than keen to visit Goa for the Goa 
Football Association's (GFA) gala and they include superstar Luis Figo, 
currently with Italian Serie A leaders Inter Milan, legendary striker 
Eusebio - who has been to Goa in the past - and Portugal chief coach Carlos 
Queiroz have responded positively to invitations from the GFA who are 
celebrating their 50th anniversary.

"We have managed to have a word with Figo, Eusebio and Queiroz, all of whom 
are interesting in making the trip to Goa. But, we need some solid backing," 
GFA secretary Savio Messias told TOI on Sunday.

The GFA is understood to have used their contacts with the Portuguese 
Olympic Committee, the University of Porto and Mariano Barreto - a top coach 
in Portugal with roots in Goa - to convince the Portuguese greats.

Messias, however, felt they need to back their initial contacts with a 
concrete proposal and some solid finances.

For the moment, no sponsor has come forward to ease the GFA of the financial 
burden and a suggestion to divert Rs 30 lakh from a three-year league 
sponsorship proposal - estimated at Rs 1.10cr - was summarily rejected by 
most executive committee members.

The GFA secretary did not say it in as many words, but it is obvious that 
internal wrangling within the association has all but brought the grand 
anniversary plans to a standstill.

It is no secret that GFA president Joaquim Alemao and the secretary cannot 
see eye-toeye after their infamous fallout over the sole nomination for 
elections to the All India Football Federation executive committee.

The GFA executive committee has met twice - once, intriguingly, in the 
secretary's absence - to exclusively discuss the anniversary celebrations.

However, when the executive committee first met at a starred hotel in the 
city several members stayed away, and at the next meeting nominations for 
the AIFF polls took precedence over anniversary plans.

"I don't have a clue how we will carry this forward. I did not attend the 
specially convened anniversary meeting either," Messias said, tongue firmly 
in his cheek.

The GFA were originally slated to have the anniversary bash on December 22 
but then hurriedly settled for January 20 as the new date.

The bash will be held either at a starred hotel in the city or at the 
Bandodkar stadium in Campal.



http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOI&BaseHref=TOIGO/2008/12/29&PageLabel=15&EntityId=Ar01501&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T

Re: [Goanet] God Sucks

[George Pinto]

--- On Sun, 12/28/08, Gilbert Lawrence  wrote:
> Problems that are seen today were not
> seen / heard a century ago e.g. organ transplant,


Gilbert is right. Just last week, an organ was being transplanted from the 
Moira church to the Aldona church. Since people from Moira were tasked with the 
transplant they took a short-cut to Aldona via Anjuna. At Anjuna, Yitzak and 
his Israeli friends hijacked the organ for an illegal rave party. Upon hearing 
of the hijack, Pedro in the Aldona sacristy, was shocked and his reaction said 
it all - "they have used God's musical instrument for immoral purposes, that 
sucks". Since people from Aldona are of few words, his reaction was abbreviated 
to "God sucks". 

So now you know the truth.

Regards,
George 

[Goanet] TRUCKS on Tracks

[JoeGoaUk]

TRUCKS on Tracks (1 Min)
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=6zMn9r9wlEU


joego...@yahoo.co.uk 

for Goa & NRI related info... 
http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/GOAN-NRI/   
For Goan Video Clips 
http://youtube.com/joeukgoa   
In Goa, Dial  1 0 8 
For Hospital, Police, Fire etc

[Goanet] Goa news for December 29, 2008

[Goanet News Service]

Goa News from Google News and Goanet.org
Visit http://www.goanet.org/newslinks.php for the full stories.

*** Goa: Asia\'s Biggest Musical Beach Party off to a Colorful
Start - Daijiworld.com
[15 hours ago]  by Kalakruthi Panaji, Dec 28: 'Sunburn Goa 08'
the Asia's biggest musical beach party has started with a bang
at the Candolim beach in north Goa
http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=T&ct=us/3-0&fd=R&url=http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=55198&n_tit=Goa%3A+Asia's+Biggest+Musical+Beach+Party+off+to+a+Colorful+Start&cid=1283383427&ei=CxpYSb6bLZzyNsnIyJgC&usg=AFQjCNFCrWDaF_TV00ldPjPCeRM9hdlraQ

*** Jessica Alba in Goa? - Galatta.com
[Dec 27, 2008]  No, we are not talking about the beautiful
actress secretively touring wonderful Goa! Remember, we told you
a while ago that Venkat Prabhu is seeking ...
http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=T&ct=us/7-0&fd=R&url=http://tamil.galatta.com/entertainment/livewire/id/Jessica_Alba_in_Goa_20946.html&cid=1283504692&ei=CxpYSb6bLZzyNsnIyJgC&usg=AFQjCNGEz-KcCWhQYg2_fOmwuqVofZ8e-g

*** Goa awaits for tourists - NDTV.com
[Dec 27, 2008]  Goa is waiting for tourists though, December is
usually the peak tourist season for the coastal state. But this
year after the terror strike in Mumbai and ...
http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=T&ct=us/4-0&fd=R&url=http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080077900&cid=1283960970&ei=CxpYSb6bLZzyNsnIyJgC&usg=AFQjCNEXVFd6arts4hlJTrs-kyn4NqoVCw

*** Woman raped, killed in Goa - Times of India
[Dec 27, 2008]  PANAJI: A 55-year-old woman was raped and
killed along the Arambol beach in Goa, a police officer said on
Saturday. The woman, identified as a local ...
http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=T&ct=us/5-0&fd=R&url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Woman_raped_killed_in_Goa/articleshow/3900993.cms&cid=1284288093&ei=CxpYSb6bLZzyNsnIyJgC&usg=AFQjCNEjDvg8fMcL_U3CMOFl0fZNItIM8w

*** World Watch - Chicago Tribune
[16 hours ago]  The Goa state government warned against large
gatherings on beaches andopen spaces through the holidays until
Jan. 5. A months-long customs crackdown has ...
http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=T&ct=us/9-0&fd=R&url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/chi-world-watch-1228_rdec28,0,6590443.story&cid=1284672888&ei=CxpYSb6bLZzyNsnIyJgC&usg=AFQjCNFw3lYKlf65x01_SzZyeivEyhI3UQ

*** No takers for Goa flights - Daily News & Analysis
[Dec 27, 2008]  Every year Prashant Sharma, a 32-year-old
executive with a finance firm, headed to Goa with his friends
for New Year celebrations. ...
http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=T&ct=us/8-0&fd=R&url=http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1217126&cid=0&ei=CxpYSb6bLZzyNsnIyJgC&usg=AFQjCNGpTT2EKW2TUVn3KR7K0ZYRP-QGCA

*** Road safety education important - Times of India
[1 hour ago]  "The task force appointed by the government for
formulating a traffic policy for Goa met only once," says former
DySP (traffic) Gurudas Zuwarkar, ...
http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=T&ct=us/6-0&fd=R&url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Goa/Road_safety_education_important/articleshow/3905515.cms&cid=0&ei=CxpYSb6bLZzyNsnIyJgC&usg=AFQjCNE3Gw8fIvacckBRwy8POmFE5qcTNA

*** Goan tourist security force soon - Times of India
[23 hours ago]  PANAJI: Goa could be the first state in the
country to set up a tourist security force (TSF), a concept
proposed by the Union tourism ministry. ...
http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=T&ct=us/2-0&fd=R&url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Goan_tourist_security_force_soon/articleshow/3903009.cms&cid=0&ei=CxpYSb6bLZzyNsnIyJgC&usg=AFQjCNHBZfTjmjRoCHBvmyMQvItoGPY2vg

*** Surveillance stepped up along Goa coast - Times of India
[21 hours ago]  PANAJI: In view of the heightened security
concerns along the Goan coast, the Coast Guard has requisitioned
additional forces and stepped up coastal ...
http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=T&ct=us/1-0&fd=R&url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Goa/Surveillance_stepped_up_along_Goa_coast/articleshow/3901780.cms&cid=0&ei=CxpYSb6bLZzyNsnIyJgC&usg=AFQjCNHD3jSp_0_pCbmmvoHr5TFXDKo0YA

*** Tourism industry perking up in Goa after Christmas - Hindu
Business Line
[13 hours ago]  PANAJI: Goa's tourism industry is bouncing back
to normalcy after successful Christmas festivities, feel the
experts. The State, which is witnessing ...
http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=T&ct=us/0-0&fd=R&url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blnus/27281610.htm&cid=1284720486&ei=CxpYSb6bLZzyNsnIyJgC&usg=AFQjCNGkSjF9FF3k6-3uEmbV6y0C4x-_JQ


Compiled by Goanet News Service
http://www.goanet.org/newslinks.php

[Goanet] God sucks (Bosco D'Mello)

[edward desilva]

Hi Bosco,
Are we talking about God or different religions, according to their beliefs in 
God.
There is a question raised, if Qur'an is the word of God, in what language was 
it written in.
If one says Arabic, Arabic language did not exist during Muhammad's days.
Gods words in Gods language - what language is it?
ED.
"This would mean that we would have to abolish the religion altogether," 
Kizilkaya said. "We are convinced the Prophet did indeed exist and that the 
Qur'an is the word of God."
http://www.thestar.com/article/557645

[Goanet] ALEXYZ Daily Cartoon (29Dec08)

[alexyz fernandes]

   Big Builders at a meeting with TCP Minister   

"The Town & Country Dept is the most EFFICIENT..once you agree on our 
PRICE"


To enjoy the visual cartoon please visit:   www.alexyztoons.com
Site sponsored by  www.goasudharop.org

[Goanet] Pak textbooks build hate culture against India

[Marshall Mendonza]

Vinay Natekar:
I remember some days back there was a debate on Goanet regarding Pakistani
School Textbooks having hate agenda against India. See how Pakistan
Government is filling innocent minds with hatred from the childhood against
India and Indian culture.

Response:
You have raised a very valid point. It is sickening to hear and read about
all the hatred being dished out and poisoning of young minds. However, how
much different is it this side of the border? Refer foll links:
http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?sectionName=HomePage&id=ec9a3af8-511f-4612-8602-bf6eb40cd378&MatchID1=4816&TeamID1=6&TeamID2=1&MatchType1=1&SeriesID1=1212&PrimaryID=4816&Headline=Saffron+has+a+go+at+history

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-3641521,flstry-1.cms

http://www.tehelka.com/story_main40.asp?filename=Ne011108Saffron_Techies.asp

Regards,

Marshall

[Goanet] 1 minute: Merces Vaddy Crib

[JoeGoaUk]

1 minute:  Merces Vaddy Crib
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=Rh-OAzE_vec


joego...@yahoo.co.uk 

for Goa & NRI related info... 
http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/GOAN-NRI/   
For Goan Video Clips 
http://youtube.com/joeukgoa   
In Goa, Dial  1 0 8 
For Hospital, Police, Fire etc

Re: [Goanet] Other people's beliefs (Was: God Sucks)

[Santosh Helekar]

--- On Sun, 12/28/08, Gilbert Lawrence  wrote:
>  
> Many Christians today feel: To get to heaven, they do not
> need the saints.  A few are so smart, they do not need
> Christ. There are the real smart ones who do not need God to
> get to heaven after death. And then, there are some who do
> not believe in a soul and a life after death.  
> 

It is sad to see people making such intolerant sarcastic remarks against people 
who hold beliefs other than themselves. It looks like these people have not 
learned the moral value of secular pluralism after all these years.

Cheers,

Santosh

Re: [Goanet] God Sucks

[Frederick "FN" Noronha]

Can I rephrase the questions below... one could understand different things:

2008/12/28 Gilbert Lawrence 
>
>
> 1. Has the concept of God benefited humanity or has it harmed humanity?
> 2. Is religion in its present form good or bad?
> 3. Should the concepts of God and religion be improved or do they need to
> be discarded altogether?
> 4. Is God a regressive concept or is it a progressive one?


1. Has the knife benefitted humanity or has it harmed humanity?
2. Is the knife, in its present form, good or bad?
3. Should the design of the knife be improved, or does it need to be
discarded altogether?
4. Is the knife a regressive concept or is it a progressive one?

I would say, religion (back to our favourite topic!) is what you make of it.
It has not played the same, unchanging role throughout. Pre-1961 Catholicism
in Goa is a very different cup of tea from its post-Vatican II counterpart.

Of course, everything needs to be improved. Including religion, knives,
ourselves and Goanet! As the calendar switches to a new numeral, we can only
have hope and anticipation :-) FN

[Goanet] God sucks

[Mario Goveia]

Miguel Braganza wrote on Goanet:

> OXYMORON is "putting together words which seem to contradict each
> other" according to the OXFORD dictionary. "Bitter-sweet" is one
> example.  I do not know if "God Sucks" qualifies as an oxymoron.

Mario responds:

If you taste some of my cuisine you will realize that bitter-sweet may not be 
an oxymoron:-))

Actually, while bitter-sweet is an oxymoron in a narrow context, it is also a 
figure of speech to describe experiencing two opposite emotions at the same 
time, which is fairly commonplace.

Samir's "God sucks" was not an oxymoron simply a gratuitous, moronic and 
vicious insult with no mitigating factors, and Sandeep's "presumption" in
trying to defend this indefensible insult confusing presumption with logic is 
like putting lipstick on a pig and optimistically entering it in a beauty 
pageant.

To add insult to injury, Samir and Sandeep then went on to claim tolerance as 
an atheist trait, and blame intolerance, death and destruction in the world on 
religion whereas some of the worst evildoers in history have been atheists, 
which they conveniently failed to mention until reminded.  Besides, initiating 
and making excuses for the concept of "God sucks" is itself an example of 
intolerance.

Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2008 16:11:10 +0530
From: "Sandeep Heble" 

> Like the Nobel Laureate physicist Steven Weinberg who wrote and I 
> quote: "Religion is an insult to human dignity. With or without it, you 
> would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil 
> things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion."

Mario responds:

All this quote proves is that physicists suck when they comment in fields other 
than their own, and that gullible Goanetters can display their own bias and 
ignorance when they quote a physicist outside his field as if he is an expert 
in everything. 

The proof of Weinberg's delusional and ignorant quote outside his expertise
as a physicist lies in the evidence, that some of the most evil humans in 
history have been atheists.  Even though he is a Nobel Prize winning scientist, 
Weinberg deliberately overlooked this evidence in citing his pre-conceived 
atheist agenda. 

Re: [Goanet] God sucks

[Miguel Braganza]

Dears,

What the Goanet "Moderators" or whatever goes by the name of "Goanet Admin" 
need to state whether "God" or "Suck" are "Goa-centric"  ...or whether we are 
becoming what Rajan Narayan calls "Goa nutters"  or "Inter-nutters".

Sandeep Heble is subscribed to GX. I think Floriano Lobo , too. Others are 
welcome .unless we want to make Goanet a bootleg GX !!

Mog asundi

Miguel

Date: Sun, 28 Dec 2008 12:35:25 +0530
From: "floriano" 
Subject: Re: [Goanet] God sucks
Message-ID: <3cfdd79caa9749b78d694c0d86e75...@home>

Hi,
Does 'GOD' exists, if at all.
How does one go about proving or testing the above? Any brainwaves?
floriano

- Original Message - 
From: "Sandeep Heble" 
> 4. Is God a regressive concept or is it a progressive one?
> Cheers
> Sandeep

> Mario writes:
> "Perhaps you have misunderstood how a forum works.  Samir gets to say
> whatever he wants.  Others then get to say whatever they want."
>
> -


--




  From Chandigarh to Chennai - find friends all over India. Go to 
http://in.promos.yahoo.com/groups/citygroups/

Re: [Goanet] GX (was: God....)

[Miguel Braganza]

Dear Dr. Santosh,

I dare say that the debate on "God sucks ...the Darker side" is much more 
dignified on GX than on the lighter side on Goanet. I have already posted my 
comments on GX. think I am one of the "original" members on GX ;-) Sandeep 
Heble is welcome there.

Mog asundi

Miguel

Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2008 22:33:34 -0800 (PST)
From: Santosh Helekar 
Subject: Re: [Goanet] GX (was: God)
Message-ID: <237009.69334...@web110315.mail.gq1.yahoo.com>
Both Sandeep and Miguel are subscribed to GX. They are welcome to carry on this 
debate there.
Cheers,
Santosh




  Be the first one to try the new Messenger 9 Beta! Go to 
http://in.messenger.yahoo.com/win/

Re: [Goanet] Goan delicacies by Joe uk bab

[Roland Francis]

Albert,

One must not envy thy neighbor's possessions, even if they are only neureos.

Why spend time making good neureos and bol when you could be spreading
the holy word in that same spare time?

What neureo patterns are you talking about? Are you confused with
stitching dresses?

Seasons greetings and happy Neureo.

Roland.

On Sun, Dec 28, 2008 at 9:10 AM, Albert Desouza
 wrote:
>
> Albert writes:- can any one write to me how to make a nice neureo pattem ? 
> (the outside cover?) I tried neureo from receipes given by many of my friends 
> but the pattem did not turn up nicely. I envy other people for they make nice 
> neureos. I saw the goan sweets on the net by Joe uk bab and felt like making 
> it. Could some one tell me how wedding bol is made ?
> you could write to me on alizadeso...@hotmail.com




-- 
Roland Francis
Toronto
+1 (416) 453.3371

[Goanet] Concept of God

[Samir Kelekar]

Hi
I am very much amused to see the accusations against me. I dont wish
to respond to Mario of course. The guy who has vowed to do nothing
for Goa himself will only waste my time -- obviously he has implicitely declared
himself as a "hot air person" --- . For those of us who have better
things to do, responding to guys like Mario is a sheer waste of our
precious time.

Miguel is accusing me of communalism because I said God sucks on 24 th.
Yeah, new year is coming soon too, so I would be accused more of
communalism.

It is interesting here to see how the mind of Miguel and other vieled
fundamentalists work. Even when I mentioned that Christmas was far
from my mind and I was responding to the long discussion on
conversions, the guy continues to accuse me. I have already defended 
my position, and unless he proves his point that I indeed had
some intentions to post this one day before christmas to hurt the
religious sensibilities of Christians, I wont have anything more
to say on the matter.

As to my language, I have enough "dirty worded" mails from Miguel.
If needed, I have no compuctions at all on posting those mails for public
cosumption to expose Miguel's hypocrisy.

Sandeep's point that we indeed should discuss thread bare the concept
of God and whether it has helped or harmed humankind is the right one.
But will these guys who have their own agenda to pursue take up the
challenge ?

Accusing others of being wimps doesnt transfer a perennial wimp into
a man.

regards,
Samir






  

[Goanet] Opportunity or Tragedy - Goa

[Arwin Mesquita]

In Goa; the so called State of the States, we are aware of so many serious
wrong doings in our respective areas; by specific politicians at
state/municipal/panchayat level, specific mine owners, many mega-project
builders & worse still, even few corrupt religious leaders, who abuse their
highly respected positions & trust of their people, for selfish interests;
and many of us blindly follow these specific religious leaders. The weakest
people in the society are often the most exploited & suppressed, by such
wrong doings.

But I think that the even bigger tragedy is that there are still so many
Goans (both in Goa & Outside) who appear cold & unconcerned. One key reason
is selfishness with the "perceived comfort" that the issues don't affect
them but these very people would surely act, if they themselves were
threatened and would then expect others to support or sympathise with them!!
 The other reason is that many are handcuffed by their own illegalities,
corruption, greed, vested interests & links with specific corrupt
politicians.

Also, there are some Overseas Goans who are doing wonders for Goa, but there
are many others who just have "an elated sense of a higher status" with
their foreign countries citizenship/residence; they have forgotten about
"where they came from" and the land of their birth/ancestors; surely they
can give back something to help realize Goa's true potential with their
Global Best Practices, ideas, experiences, skills etc; and perhaps enable
Goa to have much better living standards than in their overseas/adopted
countries. To quote Norman Cousins *"The Tragedy of life is not death, but
what we let die inside of us while we live"*



Arwin Mesquita, UAE.


-- 
Please post your comments on my Blog:
http://goanidentity.blogspot.com/








-- 
Please post your comments on my Blog:
http://goanidentity.blogspot.com/

Re: [Goanet] God Sucks

[Gilbert Lawrence]

Hi Sandeep,

Your remarks are very apropo. Your general remarks (copied below) have been 
repeated ad nausea; sadly with little to show.  Your questions are pertinent. 
My perspectives follow them.

1. Has the concept of God benefited humanity or has it harmed humanity?

The concept of God benefits humanity, if humans use the teachings to benefit 
itself / themselves.  The concept of God will harm humanity, if humans use / 
abuse the concept for their detriment.  To simplify the concept, even (good) 
food can be bad if not used / eaten at the right time, right place and in the 
right proportions.  As the above title itself, and that is reflected today, 
human social values 'suck', and we blame God or our concepts of god for them 
(our social values).
 
2. Is religion in its present form good or bad?

Religion in its present form is good.  Like other things in life, religion 
evolves in its concepts and applications. See my article below. Problems that 
are seen today were not seen / heard a century ago e.g. organ transplant, 
euthanasia, cloning, etc. Unfortunately the intellectuals (and we see it on 
Goanet) have not used moral principles in a constructive manner to dialog and 
advance our understanding and  find solutions to our current problems.  I would 
submit that much of today's social problems - divorce, half of all 
child-births born out of wedlock, drug dependency, etc, are a result of LACK OF 
religion and moral values.

3. Should the concepts of God and religion be improved or do they need to be 
discarded altogether?

The concept of God and religion should be applied and used to solve current and 
evolving social problems.  What we see today across the world is a wave / era 
of Gnosticism. This view of god is nothing new, but the same of old 
concept with some new vocabulary..  See below 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosticism
"Gnosticism (Greek - knowledge or in sanskrit - gnana) refers to a diverse, 
syncretistic religious movement consisting of various belief systems generally 
united in the teaching that humans are divine souls trapped in a material world 
created by an imperfect god, ..."

4. Is God a regressive concept or is it a progressive one?

It depends how one uses the concept of God. Just like one can use / abuse 
food.  In the example of food, both extremes - the lack of it with starvation 
due to poverty, anorexia (starvation in the midst of plenty); and excess 
consumption (bulimia) are all bad results of a good / needed requirement.  
Similarly, science is good!  But science can / has been abused / contaminated 
by personal (individual) or systemic ('school of thought') failings and abuses.

Perhaps you missed my article that was posted on Goanet on "The Evolution of 
Religion".  A re-read of that post (posted below) may help and answer some 
questions and issues.
Regards, GL

 
 Sandeep Heble 

Exactly! But constant crying and cribbing over why Samir said a particular 
thing is childish behavior. The discussion leads to nowhere. That is not what 
forums are meant for. The purpose of forums is for thoughts and ideas to flower 
and bloom.

A lot of these and similar questions need to be answered. Let's move forward 
positively.


- Mario writes:

"Perhaps you have misunderstood how a forum works.  Samir gets to say whatever 
he wants.  Others then get to say whatever they want."

--
GL post in the past. See a similar one about comparing religion to diet 
and similar evolution of both through the millennia.

Religion is a way to connect to God in this life and specially after 
death.  From ancient time, humans connected to God in recognizing God in nature 
- as fire, thunder, sun, rain. Thus, there were several Gods for each of these 
functions.  Some religions (Greek, Roman, Hindu)  "humanized" the Gods with 
names and faces. 
 
Then came Zoroaster who in about 1000 B.C.E. made an evolutionary leap in 
religion by insisting there is only One God "Ahura Mazda", who created all 
these natural elements.  This was the birth of "Monotheism". Yet to connect the 
leap across the bridge, Zoroaster encouraged reverence to nature by 
proclaiming Sun, Fire, Water, Earth and other elements of nature, as "Worthy of 
Worship" as a symbol of Ahura Mazda. 
 
The soul (atma in Hinduism; or the ka, ba and akh in Egyptian mythology 
sometimes translated as double, soul and spirit) after death invariably went 
into the netherworld (Egyptian belief) or banished to "darkness"  
(Zoroastrianism) or came back to earth as rebirth (Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism) 
or went into an "after-life" called Olam Haba (Judaism).  The place of 
punishment - a logical fact if one believes in a Just God was called Gehinmom 
in Judaism.  Muslim faith, which came after Christ, (who is considered as one 
of its prophets)  believes when a person dies, he/she is consigned from this 
world to a place called 'Barzakh'.  Muslims do not believe in a physical place 
of Heaven and Hell, b

[Goanet] TSKK Konknni course in Roman script

[pratap naik]

Dear sir,
 
Kindly give publicity to the following press release.
 
Thanking you,
 
Pratap Naik, S.J.
Director
Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr
B.B.Borkar road
Alto Porvorim, Goa - 403 521
Phone: 0832-2415857/2415864
 
KONKNNI COURSE IN ROMAN SCRIPT
 
TSKK  Konknni course in Roman script uses a modern linguistic approach to teach 
Konknni to beginners who either do not know Konknni at all or know a little 
Konknni.  Though spoken Konknni will get primary stress, reading Konknni in 
Roman script will also be insisted upon. Classes will be held from 10 am to 1 
pm from Monday to Friday from 05 January to 04 February 2009.  Regular 
attendance will be insisted upon. Throughout the course there will be test of 
oral proficiency and reading Konknni Roman script. Those who are below 55 years 
of age only will be admitted for the course.  Admission is strictly on first 
come first served basis. To apply for the course contact TSKK.  For further 
details contaact 0832-2415857, 2415864 during office hours.



  Get an email ID as yourn...@ymail.com or yourn...@rocketmail.com. Click 
here http://in.promos.yahoo.com/address

[Goanet] .... has never been communal

[Marshall Mendonza]

Miguel Braganza:
the "concerned" Bishop in Orissa even swore a affidavit wrongly stating that
VHP leader Dr. Pravin Togadia had threatened an "Asti Kalash" procession
when the most Indians know that swamis are buried.
Response:
Miguel appears to have been carried away with his eloquence. Though it is
true that the Swami was buried, Praveen Togadia has gone on record
threatening to take out an "Asti Kalash Yatra" spanning 200 kms. refer to
the following report.
Extract:
Togadia said the *yatra *will go on. "*The body of Swamiji was not cremated.
His was a samadhi and he was buried. So claims of the asthi-kalash yatra are
not true*. However, we will condole his death with a *yatra *across the
state," he said, adding, "we will march through every village and town of
Orissa despite the pressure tactics of the Christians to ensure safety of
Swami Lakshmanananda's murderers." Thus, the Swami Lakshamananda Saraswati
has been killed already, buried also and therefore, he is not cremated and
thus, he could not have shown any miracles to claim "sainthood", but Praveen
Togadia, unknowing the implication has announced the "Asti Kalash Yatra" and
hence Cheenath has tried his best to stop the yatra and he appears to have
succeeded, as today news
reportsare
coming that the yatra would not be allowed.

http://brahmallahchrist.indiainteracts.com/2008/09/05/%E2%80%9Cswami-lakshmanananda-saraswati-was-no-saint%E2%80%9D-what-is-the-vatican%E2%80%99s-role-in-it/


The connivance of the government was exemplified by the permission given to
Togadia to take out funeral procession of the Swami for 200 kilometers. This
deliberate fanning and inflaming the communal hatred against the minority
community directly resulted in the violence being planned and executed by
these outfits



http://www.dmanewsdesk.com/Business_news-1-20l.html



Regards,



Marshall

Re: [Goanet] God sucks

[floriano]

Hi,
Compliments of the Season to all.

Does 'GOD' exists, if at all.
What is the relationship of Man and God.
If the GOD is  a Good or a Bad God.

How does one go about proving or testing the above? Any brainwaves?

floriano





- Original Message - 
From: "Sandeep Heble" 

To: 
Sent: Sunday, December 28, 2008 10:14 AM
Subject: [Goanet] God sucks



Mario writes:
"Perhaps you have misunderstood how a forum works.  Samir gets to say
whatever he wants.  Others then get to say whatever they want."

-
My response:

Exactly! But constant crying and cribbing over why Samir said a
particular thing is childish behavior. The discussion leads to
nowhere. That is not what forums are meant for. The purpose of forums
is for thoughts and ideas to flower and bloom.

And whether or not Samir's post was sensitive or insensitive would be
a matter of perspective. In my opinion, he has written nothing wrong.
The passages of some of our holiest books too would be holy and
infallible from some perspectives and unholy, insensitive and even
criminal from a whole lot of other perspectives.

If at all this discussion needs to be continued, it should be in a
progressive direction and not in a negative one.

Let's discuss the larger issue: whether what Samir said (or implied)
is right or whether it is wrong.

1. Has the concept of God benefited humanity or has it harmed humanity?

2. Is religion in its present form good or bad?

3. Should the concepts of God and religion be improved or do they need
to be discarded altogether?

4. Is God a regressive concept or is it a progressive one?

A lot of these and similar questions need to be answered. Let's move
forward positively.

Cheers
Sandeep

Re: [Goanet] GX (was: God....)

[Santosh Helekar]

--- On Sat, 12/27/08, Miguel Braganza  wrote:
> 
>If no list entertains it ad nauseam, subscribe to the unmoderated >"Goenchim 
>Xapotam". Save Goanet from becoming another GX, since the >Moderators 
>obviously lack the will do prevent this. I will try as long as >I am 
>subscribed.
> 

Both Sandeep and Miguel are subscribed to GX. They are welcome to carry on this 
debate there.

Cheers,

Santosh


  

[Goanet] CONDOLENCES - MRS. CIEZA CONSTANTINA CARDOZO (Chinchinim, Goa)

[Goa's Pride www.goa-world.com]

CONDOLENCES

 
 
CIEZA CONSTANTINA CARDOZO
 
LOVING MOTHER/MOTHER IN LAW: 
JOAO ANTONIO (UK)/SUCCORINA(UK), 
SALES (CARBON STEEL)/ROSALINA, 
JULIANA/APOLINARIO (ROYAL FLORIST-CUNCOLIM), 
IRENE (TIATRIST-KUWAIT)/SYLVESTER (TIATRIST-KUWAIT), 
INACIO (JET INTERNATIONAL)/ TINA, 
JOSEPHINE/ROYDEN (KUWAIT)
LOVING GRANDMOTHER OF:  
HOENICIA, MANFRED, ABIGAIL, CHRISGAIL, JEWEL, JEREMIAH, REUBEN & ANGEL
EXPIRED ON 25TH DEC 2008 AT BAMADO-CHINCHINIM AND INTERRED ON 26TH DEC 2008 AT 
MOUNT MARY'S CHURCH, CHINCHINIM, GOA.
 
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord. 
And let Perpetual Light shine upon her. 
May her soul rest in Peace. 



  

[Goanet] Death: Fredrick Charles Barboza

[Goanet Obits]

Death: Fredrick Charles Barboza ( December 28, 2008)

Parra, GOA. FREDRICK CHARLES BARBOZA. Beloved husband of Benny. Loving 
father/father-in-law of Edna/Tony Fernandes (Canada), Lourdes/Leo Kapoor 
(Parra, Bardez), Dorothy/Francis Soares (Canada), Cynthia/Pascal Noronha 
(Canada), Jude/Juliana Barboza, grandfather of Denise, Denzil, Dahlia, 
Kevin, Karen, Nicholas, Amanda, Michael, Julius, Jason and Jessica, Great 
Grandfather of Jeremy. The Funeral Mass will be held at St. Anne's Church, 
Parra, Bardez, Goa, on Monday December 29, 2008 at 10:00 a.m.


Fredrick is the father-in-law of Goanetter Tony Fernandes, alumnus of St 
Anthony's High School, Monte de Guirim, Goa (Class of 1964)

Condolences to :

Edna Fernandes  ednafe...@hotmail.com
Lourdes Kapoor   leokap...@hotmail.com
Dorothy Soares   fsoa...@rogers.com
Cynthia Noronha wildflo...@sympatico.ca
Jude Barboza  jude.barb...@hotmail.com


Besides being active in the tiatr fraternity, Fredrick was also a 
businessman in Mumbai (Bombay). A tribute to Fredrick Charles Barboza can be 
found at:

http://tonferns.blogspot.com/2008/12/freddy-barboza.html



Goanet Obits
http://www.goanet.org

[Goanet] The Right to Convert

[Dr. U. G. Barad]

This is in reply to Message: 1, Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2008 From: Mario Goveia
under Subject: The Right to Convert. After all his postings on this subject
I see Mario Goveia running away!!!

 

The writer writes while running: Since you have caught the bull by the tail
in your response to Selma's hypothesis that Indians must have the right to
voluntarily change their religion, until you understand the content of the
discussion, whatever else you write in this thread does not address the
topic. 

 

My response: I must thank for all your postings on this subject. Sure my
responses to your postings took you on GOLDEN RIDE.

 

I will catch you (In Goanet) not from tail side of BULL (?) but from FRONT.
I have already done the needful, doing and will continue to do!! I
suspect you recognized this and you are trying to run away from the
questions that arise from your responses. 

 

My concluding remark: Don't run away from Goanet. YOU, including some others
think that GOANET is meant only for Goan CHRISTIANS or for those with
Christian identity.

 

Mario from all your postings Goanet members has concluded that you are
nothing but Jack of all trades and Master of?? Ask Goanet members this
question .  

 

My frank advice- It's not important that one must write or react to each and
every mail / messages appearing in Goanet. 

 

And lastly I repeat - Don't run away from Goanet for you have to answer
queries that follow your responses.  

 

Best regards,

 

Dr. U. G. Barad

 

 

 

[Goanet] FICTION: My House is Your House - a short story

[Bosco D'Mello]

Sudeep Chakravarti (born 1963) is the author of the bestselling debut novel 
Tin Fish, published in 2005. He has since had two more works published, both 
in 2008. Red Sun - Travels in Naxalite Country, a work of narrative 
non-fiction, is a critically acclaimed bestseller. Once Upon a Time in 
Aparanta is a satire set in the churn of present-day Goa. Chakravarti is 
also a columnist, professional futurist, and consultant to media. He lives 
in Goa, where he is engaged in writing his third novel, a second work of 
non-fiction, and setting up a marine conservation initiative. This is his 
first short story.


AND SO, to Sinbad's lair. The cocaine whores are already there when I 
arrive. Sinbad likes cocaine whores: boys and girls; and if they come by, 
in-betweens. Having them around fills his sails. It's a sickle moon tonight, 
and sickly, captured by streamers of cloud. Even with the moon largeand 
luminous, free in the sky, there is a curious space between the wrought iron 
gate and the verandah. This is a walk of only a dozen steps, a chessboard of 
velvet grass and granite that keeps at bay tentative rushes of palm, 
hibiscus and bird of paradise. Here, the light from the sharp gate lamps and 
bright rainbow souk-lanterns on the balcony, the laughter of the whores, the 
chink of glasses touching or the urgent sound of one breaking, are all 
muted.

http://tehelka.com/story_main41.asp?filename=hub100109house_house.asp

[Goanet] God sucks

[edward desilva]

Sandeep Heble said:
For those who want to hear only good stuff written about God or religion, my 
sincere advice to them is to please go to the Temple orthe Mosque or the 
Church. In this forum, you may hear a lot of things that you would not like to.
Reply:
It is one thing to say your God may suck but my devil is good and another to 
see the real result of a Godless society (UK).
UK Churches are turned into pubs, mosques, and temples - Why?
Intermarriges.
Their children are left to believe in whatever they want to believe in (without 
religious education), - what exactly is that?
Does saying God sucks - solve the problem?
People in UK have 'not' gone deliberately in saying God sucks, it has become a 
generation thing. Outcome is not good.
Therefore, God sucks are thoughless words
ED. 

[Goanet] Goan delicacies by Joe uk bab

[Albert Desouza]

Albert writes:- can any one write to me how to make a nice neureo pattem ? (the 
outside cover?) I tried neureo from receipes given by many of my friends but 
the pattem did not turn up nicely. I envy other people for they make nice 
neureos. I saw the goan sweets on the net by Joe uk bab and felt like making 
it. Could some one tell me how wedding bol is made ? 
you could write to me on alizadeso...@hotmail.com

_
Much more than email – don't miss out on the rest of the Windows Live™.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowslive/events.aspx

[Goanet] Deflections To The Right

[Marshall Mendonza]

Santosh Helekar:
It looks like attempts are being made in this forum to show Hindu NRIs in
bad light by picking and choosing articles and excerpts from the internet,
and creating the impression that facts are being reported.

Response:
1. It is interesting how the poster draws conclusions that Hindu NRI's are
being shown in bad light when the article, in fact, states just the
opposite. That Hindu NRI's are being taken for a ride by certain
organisations by being led to believe that they are contributing to temples
and charity whereas these funds are channelled towards hate and violence.

The extract is reproduced once again below:
"Many overseas Indian Hindus—including some in this country—finance
religious groups in India in the belief that the funds will be used to build
temples, and educate and feed the poor of their faith. Many would be
appalled to know that some recipients of their money are out to destroy
minorities (Christians as well as Muslims) and their places of worship,"
wrote Rekhi in the article, co-authored with Henry S. Rowen, a professor
emeritus at Stanford University and senior fellow of the Hoover Institution"

2..Kanwal Rekhi, the author of the article and who is quoted above is an
ex-IITian and Chairman of TIE a group of ex-IITians whose mission is to
bring and upgrade institutions of learning in India.

3. It is also most interesting how the poster without adducing any evidence
to prove the contrary just trashes the article just because it does not fit
in with his thought process or against certain organisations with whom his
sympathies lie.

Regards,

Marshall

[Goanet] Indian priests in USA

[Teotonio R. de Souza]

>From March 2006 to June 2007, six Indian priests arrived in Owensboro. The
first three were assigned two small rural parishes each, in the rural Lake
Barkley region.

In one, the people were so afraid that the diocese would close their parish
that they were relieved and elated to hear about the Indian priest. But in
another church, a parishioner had only one question: “How dark is his skin?”


Some of the foreign priests had confided their apprehensions to Father
Venters. They had studied American history in school and knew about racism,
the civil rights movement and the Ku Klux Klan. “I told them that, as much
as I hated it, there is prejudice — but it’s nothing like when I was growing
up,” Father Venters said.

In a parish that received an Indian priest, five older couples asked to
leave, objecting to his accent. In the end, only three changed parishes. 

http://tinyurl.com/9568gk

[Goanet] Wildlife in Cribs

[Aaron Pereira]

Very sadly, this year too, villagers making cribs for christmas have used
protected wild life species such as the python in their cribs. Such a crib
was located in coastal South Goa.

Despite WildGoas efforts to create awareness on these important issues,
people refuse to understand what an animal goes through when tortured.

Two years back, wild animals such as the python and a monitor lizard were
being served ICE CREAM and CHOCOLATES.
Sad.

WildGoa urges you to please inform us if you locate any such cribs which are
using live animals as exhibits. Please inform Clinton Vaz at 9890936828 or
Aaron Pereira at 9923269797. Informers will be kept confidential.

WildGoa along with the Forest Dept. of Goa are planning a raid anytime now
to check for these violations. If you see them, please do not hesitate to
inform us. once again, your identity will be kept confidential.


-- 
Aaron Pereira
Panjim
Goa

talk2aaron2004 - yahoo chat
talk2aaron2...@hotmail.com - msn
talk2aaron - skype

+91 - 9923 26 9797

[Goanet] .... has never been communal

[Marshall Mendonza]

Sandeep Heble:
Many people commit the fundamental error of equating an anti-BJP post with
an anti-Hindu post. There are a lot of Hindus who do not see eye-to-eye with
the ideologies of the BJP or the Sangh Parivar so it would be ridiculous to
equate an anti-BJP stance to an anti-Hindu stance.

Response:
Sandeep, I owe you a huge gratitude. You have said exactly what I have been
repeatedly saying for so long. It is a common misconception that many people
make of equating hindutva with hinduism. Hindutva is an ideology like
fascism or nazism from where it draws its inspiration. Hindutva as an
ideology is harmful not only for the minorities whom it targets
specifically, but also for communists and secular Hindus whom it considers
as its enemy and as MaCaulay's agents. I would recommend once again for all
persons who have an independent mind and like to think to read the following
books "We or our nationhood defined" and "Bunch of Thoughts" by M S
Golwalkar and Brotherhood in Saffron. They will give you a keen insight into
the thinking of the sangh parivar and explain all the violence against
minorities taking place today.

Regards,

Marshall

[Goanet] .... has never been communal

[Marshall Mendonza]

Santosh Helekar:
What we are seeing is a simple over-reaction to issues that are in some
cases wrongly portrayed through a unidimensional communal narrative.
Response:
According to reports 14 districts out of of 30 and 300 Villages, 4,400
Houses burnt, 50,000 Homeless, 59 People killed including at least 2
pastors, 10 Priests/Pastors/Nuns injured, 18,000 Men, women, children
injured, 2 women raped including a nun, 151 Churches destroyed and 13
Schools and colleges damaged. The violence targeted Christians in 310
villages, with 4,104 homes torched. More than 18,000 were injured and 50,000
displaced and homes continued to burn in many villages.
Now would you please tell us what kind of  'simple reaction' which according
to you, should have taken place to respond to the violence in Orissa.
Also kindly enlighten us as to the 'correct portrayal' as you know it. We
are waiting eagerly to hear from you.

Santosh Helekar:
The Kandhamal violent clashes between Pannas and Khands with poaching by
Maoists and Hindu extremists is a case in point.
Miguel Braganza:
The Khandhamal-Orissa issue is more about the fight for the ST tag by a SC
community that has converted to Christianity and lost reservations[for
education, jobs, etc), than about religion per se.

Response: If it were such a simple issue as merely a clash between Pannas
and Kandhas, will the two gentlemen kindly enlighten us on the following
points:

1. why were Kandha christian tribals also attacked and their homes and
places of worship and institutions destroyed?
2. why did the violence target christians who were neither kandhas nor
pannas who were living miles away from the trouble spots like Sambalpur,
Bhubaneshwar, Behrampur, Barakhama,Baliguda, Daringibadi, Brahmanigaon and
Phulbani ?
3. why are Panna christians allowed to return to their homes if they convert
to hinduism?
4. why are kandha christian tribals not allowed to return to their homes
unless they convert to hinduism?
5. Is Praveen Togadia a Kandha or a Panna. What was he doing in
Kandhamal fanning the fires?
6. what was the role of the VHP / BD in the violence or did they have no
role at all?
7. If it is a clash between the Kandhas and Pannas why did the RSS plan a
bandh on Christmas Day.
8. Are there Kandhas and Pannas living in Mangalore? Why did the violence
spread there?
9. Are there kandhas and pannas living in the Dangs? what was the cause of
violence there on Christmas day of 1998?

I look forward to a point by point response.

Regards,

Marshall

[Goanet] Konkani Musical Evening - Part II

[JoeGoaUk]

Konkani Musical Evening - Part II
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=FLboxpcw_M4

with Rosy Alvares, Lawry, Sharon, Edison, Com. Selvy etc etc


joego...@yahoo.co.uk 

for Goa & NRI related info... 
http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/GOAN-NRI/   
For Goan Video Clips 
http://youtube.com/joeukgoa   
In Goa, Dial  1 0 8 
For Hospital, Police, Fire etc