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ARTICLE : deteriorate
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To: ghen@netcom.com
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Subject: ARTICLE : deteriorate
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From: Vivek Sadananda Pai <vivek@cs.rice.edu>
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Date: Fri, 13 Sep 1996 15:46:05 -0500 (CDT)
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References: <ghenDxMoKw.MK9@netcom.com>
In article <ghenDxMoKw.MK9@netcom.com>,
dawnpub <dawnpub@dataplace.net> writes:
|>Some of the reasons why Hinduism/Sanatan Dharma is "deteriorating" (the
|>Eternal Truth can, obviously, never be destroyed):
While it can't be destroyed, it can be the case that what gets
promoted as the Eternal Truth has little basis in it, and that seems
to be the case with the "resurgent" Hinduism.
|>1. Lack of Hindu unity
|>(while respecting diversity; i.e., the sects of Hinduism).
OK, I'll take the bait - care to explain why the various groups in
India had been fighting for _centuries_ with little or no effect on
Hinduism? It would seem odd that Hinduism would _expand_ then,
especially if we're to believe that lack of "Hindu Unity" would cause
a deterioration.
|>2. Complacent Hindus who are afraid to say they are Hindu.
Actually, I know a lot of Hindus (born Hindus) who find that events
like a bunch of saffron-robed idiots tearing down mosques makes them a
lot more queasy about mentioning that they're Hindu than anything
else. After all, Hindu society of the past was supposed to be
honorable, law-abiding, and peaceful. A bunch of vigilantes killing
Muslims in the name of Hinduism doesn't exactly promote that image.
|>3. The theft of "Yoga" by
|>non-Hindus (and non-Buddhists, Jains or Sikhs)
How about the theft of "Hinduism" by a bunch of political nitwits who
are using it as a means of gaining political power and nothing else?
|>and the,subsequent, charging of fees for "Yoga" classes.
Speaking of which, I've seen precious little condemnation (or praise)
of the article I posted, which suggest that in order to become Hindu,
an outsider must pay exorbitant fees to a temple. Considering that the
temples I've seen charge about $500 (sometimes less) for a full
marriage ceremony, $900 seems like a fairly ridiculous amount for the
relatively simple ceremony. Unless, of course, the Hindus just want
converts from the financially well-off.
Then again, perhaps this explains the success of Islam and
Christianity in India.
-Vivek
