brahmin bashing....original thread from guruprasadtr
I want to start a thread to report instances of brahmin bashing on the web and discuss how to counter such hate rhetoric. I request you friends to report such instances here and exchange ideas on how to counter them.
I want to bring one such instance to your notice where a collegemate of mine was blaming us.
She is a daughter of a DK member /atheist. Her argument was that it was the fault of brahmins that women who are having monthly periods are not allowed to enter temples.
I replied that no such restriction exists in temples and it was the wish of the devotees that they did not go to temples during such a time, probably because they did not feel clean and avoided going to temples out of reverence to gods who them hold in high esteem. No matter how much i argued, i could not convince her and we do not get along well after that.
Please put in your comments on this incident or if you had experienced similar situations
Thanks,
Guru
Dear all members, Pls see how a nice intended intiative took different turns and now has totally deviated into something not expected or aimed by the iniiator or moderators.
Guruprasad's point was that he could not convince the person who taunted him with convincing arguments.He probably thought other members may come with strong convincing points to counter such taunts and bashngs. Bu alas !! things got strayed into different territories.
My humble request to all who participated, and wish to participate (including guruprasd) is that let us come back to mai track and resume positive discussion.We welcome interludes from initiator as well as moderators. It is just as that when watching a crowded festival etc, the crowd unintentionally surges ahead, breaking barriers, and then the volunteer or policeman tries to push back them inside the lines.So let us not have unnecessary hurt feelings or ego. When harvest is brought in, it will have chaff,gass,mud etc.It is for us to segregate them and grade them and make it to our best needed use. It is just like that. Let different opinions come from different people.At least they are not sitting idle they are actively participating.That itself is a good sign.
Now regarding the periods matter can we just forget it for now and concentrate on the general matter of brahmin bashing. Why can't we have opinions from women members --so that there can be more authenticity for the discussion--( I am not sure whether any woman member has participated till now). To add a short point,this practice is prevalent-now declining for different reasons - t many places at least in India. I saw a notice in one of the temples in (Muktidham if I remeber correctly)Nashik,Mahrashtra before a Karthikeya deity sanctum that " ladies please excuse".I saw women nodding understandingly and keeping off that place.In Maharshtra itself, Sani Singanapur temple ,ladies are not allowed to be close to the idol as men only can pour oil to bathe the idol.
So let us leave it like that. These specialities or deviations from the streotype ,only, makes life varied .Such specialities -whether one may accept it as right or wrong as per one's perceptions and tastes and familiarities will be there in different parts of the world, different communities etc. I see photos flashed in newspapers and magazines wherein our most secular and rationalist personalities sport head cap, scarf or some such thing around their heads ,or body when they visit certain worship places.Or for that matter when they take food offering after a fast at certain gatherings. Thes appear to be mandatory there..We are not questioning that. Let us respect that as a special feature. The magnanimous and broadminded accept that with heir wisdom.
f I recall the essence of Sant Kabir's lines-- Kuyils will stop singing when Crows enter the durbar and start crowing-- .
Cheers and welcome back all !!!