Charles Haynes [05/08/07 14:49 +0530]:
I may need to take steps to make it more obvious that I am not. Maybe carry around Betrand Russell or something.
"ah, another christian" this, from a place where a lot of the christians, especially those from my father's generation or from smaller towns, got their names courtesy a pastor who poked around the local graveyard for dead brits and used their names .. so you have fine old names like "o'neill shahapurkar" (first name from some dead irishman's grave, and the second name + suffix kar standard maharashtrian practice that makes up surnames based on the town your ancestors came from)
Eh? I don't understand this part. You're saying that people will assume, based on name alone, what religion someone - even a foreigner - is, and it doesn't matter what religion they actually profess or practice? That seems so foreign to me.
Well, it is based on standard indian well, observation, with hindus called udhay and suresh, muslims called asif and yusuf ..
based solely on their name. (Though if I run into someone named Joi Wolfwomyn I probably will make some assumptions not only about their religious beliefs, but also their probable sexual orientation, and political beliefs.)
the only Joi I've run into is surnamed Ito, and he is a fun guy to meet forall that he is a compulsive blogger
Surely, but outside of India it is relatively easy to avoid being a part of such community. For example, it would be easy for me to raise my family here while not being a part of traditional American culture, the presence of Americans in Bangalore notwithstanding.
Not so easy for an indian outside india, I assure you - if only because other indians actively seek you out and drag you kicking and screaming if necessary into the local "community"
Not born of Hindu parents, culturally non-hindu, no hindu religious practices? (an outsider)
still an outsider, and probably a hare krishna or random other guru camp follower
Not born of Hindu parents, cuturally non-hindu, religiously practicing hindu? (a foreign born convert)
ditto ++
Not born of Hindu parents, culturally hindu, no hindu religious practices? (An indian born child of non-indan born parents, raised in Hindu society, but not a practicing hindu. [is this possible?])
well he could be a sikh, or a jain or something (quite likely a sikh) - those religions are nominally separate from hinduism though rooted in it
Not born of Hindu parents, culturally hindu, religiously practicing hindu? (Indian born child of foreign parents, raised in Hindu society, follows Hindu religious practice)
very rare indeed
Born of Hindu parents, culturally non-hindu, no hindu religious practices? (Assimilated american children of assmilated Indian-born parents)
hindu, to the max. even if he converts, whereupon his relatives regard him as a potential prodigal son to welcome back into the fold sooner or later
Born of Hindu parents, cuturally non-hindu, religiously practicing hindu? (Religious american born children of assimilated indian-born parents)
hindu
Born of Hindu parents, culturally hindu, no hindu religious practices? (Madhu, e.g.)
hindu. all of us "fake hindus"out here on silk.. madhu, me, udhay etc - still hindu. and at least some of us are "brahmins" - supposed to bepriests and saddled with extra rituals as a result, nominally at least.
Born of Hindu parents, culturally hindu, religiously practicing hindu?
("Hindu")
yup
