Comments on: My Vision For India – Pluralism, Secularism, Economic Growth http://indianmuslims.in/my-vision-for-india-pluralism-secularism-economic-growth/ A Window Into The Indian Muslim Life Sat, 03 Jul 2010 11:20:27 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: 1conoclast http://indianmuslims.in/my-vision-for-india-pluralism-secularism-economic-growth/comment-page-2/#comment-42977 1conoclast Sun, 30 Mar 2008 07:19:26 +0000 http://indianmuslims.in/my-vision-for-india-pluralism-secularism-economic-growth/#comment-42977 Arun, Words worthy of "I have a dream"...! It will take shape if we get together as Indians to make it come true. I'm with you. What do you propose? Arun,

Words worthy of “I have a dream”…! It will take shape if we get together as Indians to make it come true. I’m with you. What do you propose?

]]> By: Arun Nair http://indianmuslims.in/my-vision-for-india-pluralism-secularism-economic-growth/comment-page-2/#comment-42946 Arun Nair Fri, 28 Mar 2008 19:27:52 +0000 http://indianmuslims.in/my-vision-for-india-pluralism-secularism-economic-growth/#comment-42946 I want an India that is once again the seat of everything good about humanity. I want an India that's splendid, inspiring, and invincible. An India whose present day custodians would have forgiven their past, and conduct themselves with the dignity, brilliance and resolve that befit the vanguards of our great country's destiny. I want an India that is once again the seat of everything good about humanity. I want an India that’s splendid, inspiring, and invincible. An India whose present day custodians would have forgiven their past, and conduct themselves with the dignity, brilliance and resolve that befit the vanguards of our great country’s destiny.

]]> By: 1conoclast http://indianmuslims.in/my-vision-for-india-pluralism-secularism-economic-growth/comment-page-2/#comment-42741 1conoclast Mon, 24 Mar 2008 11:31:16 +0000 http://indianmuslims.in/my-vision-for-india-pluralism-secularism-economic-growth/#comment-42741 No assumptions here Amit. Just that factoid 1 & factoid 2 weren't adding up... I'd tried putting a link up here to bring out this inconsitency earlier too, but the moderator likes me less than he likes you I guess. If the moderator permits, I'll put the link up again, and you can explain the inconsistencies between both Exhibits. No assumptions here Amit. Just that factoid 1 & factoid 2 weren’t adding up…
I’d tried putting a link up here to bring out this inconsitency earlier too, but the moderator likes me less than he likes you I guess. If the moderator permits, I’ll put the link up again, and you can explain the inconsistencies between both Exhibits.

]]> By: Amit http://indianmuslims.in/my-vision-for-india-pluralism-secularism-economic-growth/comment-page-2/#comment-42584 Amit Sat, 22 Mar 2008 19:33:20 +0000 http://indianmuslims.in/my-vision-for-india-pluralism-secularism-economic-growth/#comment-42584 <blockquote>Just wanted to point out a trifling inconsistency in your claims.</blockquote> Re-check your assumptions closely and you'll find the answer and no inconsistency.

Just wanted to point out a trifling inconsistency in your claims.

Re-check your assumptions closely and you’ll find the answer and no inconsistency.

]]> By: 1conoclast http://indianmuslims.in/my-vision-for-india-pluralism-secularism-economic-growth/comment-page-2/#comment-42561 1conoclast Sat, 22 Mar 2008 13:41:44 +0000 http://indianmuslims.in/my-vision-for-india-pluralism-secularism-economic-growth/#comment-42561 Amit... You brought it up. You must have considered it relevant enough to bring up... :-) Don't indulge my curiousity. I've already satisfied it wrt you eons ago. Just wanted to point out a trifling inconsistency in your claims. Amit…

You brought it up. You must have considered it relevant enough to bring up… :-)
Don’t indulge my curiousity. I’ve already satisfied it wrt you eons ago. Just wanted to point out a trifling inconsistency in your claims.

]]> By: Amit http://indianmuslims.in/my-vision-for-india-pluralism-secularism-economic-growth/comment-page-2/#comment-42349 Amit Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:32:47 +0000 http://indianmuslims.in/my-vision-for-india-pluralism-secularism-economic-growth/#comment-42349 1conoclast, my personal information is irrelevant to any discussion of issues here, unless I choose to mention it. I prefer to stick to issues being discussed. I've already had bad experience with you in the past, so I see no need to indulge your curiosity. No offense. :) 1conoclast, my personal information is irrelevant to any discussion of issues here, unless I choose to mention it. I prefer to stick to issues being discussed. I’ve already had bad experience with you in the past, so I see no need to indulge your curiosity. No offense. :)

]]> By: triple http://indianmuslims.in/my-vision-for-india-pluralism-secularism-economic-growth/comment-page-2/#comment-42338 triple Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:14:56 +0000 http://indianmuslims.in/my-vision-for-india-pluralism-secularism-economic-growth/#comment-42338 Answer to Kaleem's queston could be this. A temple going Hindu does not have to believe in the christian or muslim beliefs you have mentioned. But if he does, he still remains a Hindu. so to the extent he does not have to be weary of the religious beliefs of others, he can take a syncretic sympathetic and curious view. Answer to Kaleem’s queston could be this.

A temple going Hindu does not have to believe in the christian or muslim beliefs you have mentioned. But if he does, he still remains a Hindu. so to the extent he does not have to be weary of the religious beliefs of others, he can take a syncretic sympathetic and curious view.

]]> By: 1conoclast http://indianmuslims.in/my-vision-for-india-pluralism-secularism-economic-growth/comment-page-2/#comment-42299 1conoclast Thu, 20 Mar 2008 06:58:51 +0000 http://indianmuslims.in/my-vision-for-india-pluralism-secularism-economic-growth/#comment-42299 Amit, You're probably of mixed race like me... You left a comment on my blog signing yourself as a "Sikh Forever". I'm curious. Would you explain please? Amit,

You’re probably of mixed race like me… You left a comment on my blog signing yourself as a “Sikh Forever”.
I’m curious. Would you explain please?

]]> By: Amit http://indianmuslims.in/my-vision-for-india-pluralism-secularism-economic-growth/comment-page-2/#comment-42288 Amit Thu, 20 Mar 2008 04:18:41 +0000 http://indianmuslims.in/my-vision-for-india-pluralism-secularism-economic-growth/#comment-42288 <blockquote>Friends: Can someone explain how a practicing Hindu who believes in mainstream Hinduism also believe the core beliefs of Christianity and Islam?</blockquote> Kaleem, I'm an agnostic, non-religious Hindu. I don't know if this will answer your question, but this is how I understand the issue: You wear a red shirt because your belief says that red shirts are the best. A Hindu doesn't have to believe the same thing as you do ("red shirts are the best"), but he will have no issue with <b>your freedom and choice to wear a red shirt</b> if your belief says so. He might say, "We don't wear red shirts, but if it works for you, I have no problem." Or for that matter, if someone decides not to wear a shirt, or wears a kurta instead. A Hindu wears a blue shirt because that's what his belief tells him. Now, consider this Hindu telling you that all red shirts are bad, people who wear red shirts have no idea of what they're doing and you should wear a blue shirt instead, because it's the only one true shirt according to his belief or because his book says so. I hope you can see the problem with such a thinking by the blue shirt wearer and how it's going to affect the red shirt wearer, and more so when: a. the society has people wearing not only red and blue, but green, yellow, purple and white shirts, and all living together, and b. such thinking leads the Hindu to take drastic action against anyone who doesn't wear a blue shirt - the color prescribed by his belief. Of course each shirt-wearer thinks that his shirt color is the best, and best FOR HIM - we didn't have a choice in which belief we were born into. The problem comes when he starts deciding for others what colored shirt is best for them, and the definition of "best" is subjective at best. :) Here are two links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abrahamic_religion#Common_aspects http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharmic_religion#Common_traits

Friends:
Can someone explain how a practicing Hindu who believes in mainstream Hinduism also believe the core beliefs of Christianity and Islam?

Kaleem,
I’m an agnostic, non-religious Hindu. I don’t know if this will answer your question, but this is how I understand the issue:

You wear a red shirt because your belief says that red shirts are the best. A Hindu doesn’t have to believe the same thing as you do (“red shirts are the best”), but he will have no issue with your freedom and choice to wear a red shirt if your belief says so. He might say, “We don’t wear red shirts, but if it works for you, I have no problem.” Or for that matter, if someone decides not to wear a shirt, or wears a kurta instead.

A Hindu wears a blue shirt because that’s what his belief tells him. Now, consider this Hindu telling you that all red shirts are bad, people who wear red shirts have no idea of what they’re doing and you should wear a blue shirt instead, because it’s the only one true shirt according to his belief or because his book says so.

I hope you can see the problem with such a thinking by the blue shirt wearer and how it’s going to affect the red shirt wearer, and more so when:
a. the society has people wearing not only red and blue, but green, yellow, purple and white shirts, and all living together, and
b. such thinking leads the Hindu to take drastic action against anyone who doesn’t wear a blue shirt – the color prescribed by his belief.

Of course each shirt-wearer thinks that his shirt color is the best, and best FOR HIM – we didn’t have a choice in which belief we were born into. The problem comes when he starts deciding for others what colored shirt is best for them, and the definition of “best” is subjective at best. :)

Here are two links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abrahamic_religion#Common_aspects
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharmic_religion#Common_traits

]]> By: J P Joshi http://indianmuslims.in/my-vision-for-india-pluralism-secularism-economic-growth/comment-page-2/#comment-42208 J P Joshi Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:42:14 +0000 http://indianmuslims.in/my-vision-for-india-pluralism-secularism-economic-growth/#comment-42208 I completely agree with the views put forward by Sridhar. I am a practicing Hindu, and do understand that each one's concept of the Supreme Being is very personal. My article 'India, Secularism and Religion' on my blog can give you my views on the subject of religion. Religion, I believe, is a very personal affair. Swami Vivekanand's views that religion comprises of mythology, rituals and philosphy makes lot of sense to me. Various religions differ on mythology and rituals but are quite similar on philosophy. Even within the same religion, people percieve God differently even though they follow the same rituals and mythology. This is God's design, I believe. Diversity is the mother of creation. I completely agree with the views put forward by Sridhar. I am a practicing Hindu, and do understand that each one’s concept of the Supreme Being is very personal. My article ‘India, Secularism and Religion’ on my blog can give you my views on the subject of religion. Religion, I believe, is a very personal affair. Swami Vivekanand’s views that religion comprises of mythology, rituals and philosphy makes lot of sense to me. Various religions differ on mythology and rituals but are quite similar on philosophy. Even within the same religion, people percieve God differently even though they follow the same rituals and mythology. This is God’s design, I believe. Diversity is the mother of creation.

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