sapr333,
>>>>I am taking the liberty of discussing this thread even though you have instructed otherwise. I just went through the thread, read some excellent postings, but would like to address some specific issues leaping out of this thread's intent and content.>>>>
Frankly, I just opted this only for survery reasons.. Anyways, cos You have written a long post, I thought to take an exemption to respond to you.. Btw, I really enjoyed your well balanced responses in another posts.. And I appreciate your views too..
>>>>>1. First of all, where do you get your fact on 'Hinduism is dying' or 'slowly dying'? Is there a statistics or data point you can cite? >>
A common sense would do.. Hindustan of ancient times, is now falling short of 15% hindu population, according to 1992 census...
>>>>>2, After reading your posts, I did some research on your handle. You have been posting under the same handle for a while now, especially under Outlook magazine's discusiion threads as well as one Valan's weblog. You seem to be a born Christian and if you are not from your postings it is clear that you hold Christianity in very high estemm over Hinduism and Islam.>>>
You are free to persume what I am... But I'm on the search of 'Ultimate Truth about God''... Thats one reason, I liked this site, rather enjoyed this place, though its a short stint.. I have been hanging on different sites, including Jewish/Aetheist ones, with different handle names.. Virutual world right!!... But my objective is real, not virtual.. Pursuit of God.
>>>>>3. You make especially uneducated comments about Adi Shankara without any depth of study and repeat what some others have said without validation. One of this was that he was directly responsible for exterminating Buddhism from India. This oft repeated story has no scientific foundation. (If you want I am prepared to enter in to a deep discussion on why Buddhism disappeared from India for a long period, based on a full critical historical view)>>>
Contrarily, I have also enjoyed some of the finest debates of Adi Shankara.. Im not sure if you know, he is the only person, who first comprehended the Concept of God, logically.. Regarding the history of extermination of Buddhists, Yes, we can have a debate on this..
Btw, you calling me uneducated, I would love to remain humble and humiliated.. Im ok with that.. no comments on that
>>>4. You are generally against what you call as 'Brahminism' and Brahmins.>>>
Please read my blog on 'Are Tamil Brahmins not Tamils... You will know.. Yes, I'm against certain 'Isms', and this could be one among"
>>>>Now, do I hold these statements against you that I do not want you to post here anymore? >>>
We are just airing our views in this virtual world of internet.. There is noting personal.... By saying "Fire", our tongues wont get burnt right!!! Lets take it easy!!
>>>>What is your intent on posting these polls? Is it to 'reform' Hinduism? Is it to 'show' us why our religion is supposedly dying? Or is it because you can share the findings elsewhere as a 'proof' that Hinduism is declining?>>>
Btw, before that, have you cast your vote on this poll? Just curious!!
>>>>>Sir, if you are doing this with the welfare of Hindus in your heart, they will not accept it as you are an outsider. No group can be 'reformed' by an outsider.>>>
So you mean to say, Hinduism doesnt accept Comments??? If so, I think, you dont know much about Hinduism? Remeber, Hinduism has even accepted Chavarkas, which denied even the concept of God...
>>>>You are our guest and TBs are famous for our hospitality. Some of us may be too haughty (like some others in other Forums you have posted), but please do not abuse our welcome. As you ask others, 'please have an open mind and ponder'>>>
Once again please go through my blog... I have appreciations towards the hospitality, while narrating my Train journey a decade ago.
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>>>>>By the way, I saw your postings about 'Why I am not a Hindu' in other places as well. Seems to me this is your way of showing the 'bad' side of Hinduism. >>>
So you want me to tread only in line with your thoughts? And you are casting me a bad boy, just because I shared opposite views?..
Please finish that book, lets engage in a dialogue (not fight it over!)..Lets learn something out by sharing contradictory views.. Thanks
Regards,
KRS