How do you prove your religious affiliations?

[prasad1]

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To most of us this usually is not a problem, generally we never have to prove it to others. Religion is a private matter, and should not impact anyone else.
But some religious places now are restricted.
Rameswaram Temple has a big sign and proclaims that only Hindus are allowed in the temple. One of the Temple official told us (very proudly) that they stopped President Abdul Kalam from entering the temple (Sic!). One has to be a Muslim to visit Kaabha-Mecca, one has to be Mormon to visit a Mormon Temple, one has to be a Zoroastrian to visit their temple.

Are their official organizations that provide unassailable proof of your religion?

This has nothing to do with your personal religious beliefs.

 

[கால பைரவன்]

To most of us this usually is not a problem, generally we never have to prove it to others. Religion is a private matter, and should not impact anyone else.
But some religious places now are restricted.
Rameswaram Temple has a big sign and proclaims that only Hindus are allowed in the temple. One of the Temple official told us (very proudly) that they stopped President Abdul Kalam from entering the temple (Sic!). One has to be a Muslim to visit Kaabha-Mecca, one has to be Mormon to visit a Mormon Temple, one has to be a Zoroastrian to visit their temple.
Are their official organizations that provide unassailable proof of your religion?
This has nothing to do with your personal religious beliefs.

Perhaps one has to constantly question what constitutes Hinduism to be considered a devout hindu!

I do not know about other religions but I think Arya Samaj hands out hindu certificates for a very small notional fee (Rs. 5) to anyone whose intent is to become a hindu. Only the intent is needed, nothing else AFAIK. So, as far as a common man is concerned, gaining access to hindu temples is not very difficult although I feel the temple administration itself can do this for free if it so wishes.

The story about Abdul Kalam being denied entry is suspect.

 

[sarang]

I remember two instances or controversies from guruvayur. Jesudas wanted to sing inside the temple and a christian politician wanted to enter the temple for the first feeding of child inside the temple. obviously the tv channels made a big splash on thes incidents. The trustee of the temple was ver clear and emphatic - we follow rules and tradition. But the king (present day rulers?) has the right to change the rules and enforce new rules. (But manu insists that the king must not force his practices and views on his subjects and must let them follow their own tradition). The dharmakarta also said that only hindus can enter the temple, and any non-hindus can approach aryasamaj, undergo their ceremony and get a hindu-certificate if he wants to offer worship. Simple if one really wants.

Even in tirupathi, one has to sign an affidavit that he/she respects hinduism.

My friend claimed that he took a german professor from IITM inside chidambaram temple for a proper darshan with archanai; the prof, with a rich red face due to heat and a generous smearing of kunkumam looked forbidding; unfortunately, we did not have cameras to capture the sivapazham for posterity.

I am sure Abdul Kalam will not expect the temple to break the rules.

Late painter hussain was not allowed to enter a club in calcutta as he was bare footed. The manger refused to budge even after knowing the credentials of the visitor.

 

[prasad1]

Mr. Sarang,
Abdul Kalam not being allowed was to demostrate that a temple guard has to be convinced that the person entering is a Hindu. The discretion to allow or deny is at the guard gate. How does one make sure that he/she will be allowed in to the temple. This is the first time I am traveling with a non-Indian Hindu.
So this is not about defending Hinduism.

Our religious leaders also use to deny entry to Non-Brahmins, was that according to Dharmsastras?

 

[tks]

I know of how one (white) American Scholar in Vedanta and Sanskrit was denied access to some temples during his visit in India.
He was dressed in Dhoti and except for white skin he looked like any other Indian. In Guruvayoor he was denied access.
In one of the temples (I do not remember which one) he told me with humor that he had to prove his knowledge.

It seems the guards asked him some questions from B. Gita. He can recite many of the chapters and can give extensive explanations. Then they brought a B.Gita book and asked him specific verses which he translated on the spot and provided explanations. He ws questioned about some puranic stories some of which he did not know.

Eventually they let him in at this one temple - he proved his religious identity to these relatively uneducated guards with his knowledge of Vedas, Sanskrit and our scriptures. He says that their heart was in the right place trying to find a way to let him in but asked him to recite a lot of things like Sri Rudram etc ...They themselves are not educated but were trying to do their duties in the absence of any rules as to who is allowed inside a temple.

Having said all this my view is that, while we do not have concept of conversion, anyone (who is not posing a threat) should be allowed in any temples l.

 

[prasad1]

Mr. TKSji,
I do not think most born-Hindus will pass the tests that your friend cleared. I agree that house of worship should be open to all (barring security). I do not even mind the tirupathi idea, of one has to sign an affidavit that he/she respects hinduism.

 

[renuka]

Dear Prasad ji,

God is NOT present where discrimination is.....so why bother proving to anyone what our religious affiliations are?

 

[Vaagmi]

I think it is enough if one declares that he is a Hindu. It would mean that he believes in Hinduism as it is understood today as a religion. It would be a reasonable presumption that he won't be telling a lie.

 

[prasad1]

Dear Prasad ji,


God is NOT present where discrimination is.....so why bother proving to anyone what our religious affiliations are?

Please read my post#4.
I am traveling with a non-Indian Hindu, and I want to take her to visit the temples.

 

[prasad1]

I think it is enough if one declares that he is a Hindu. It would mean that he believes in Hinduism as it is understood today as a religion. It would be a reasonable presumption that he won't be telling a lie.

Sir,
If you read the post#5, you will see that it is not enough.

 

[renuka]

Please read my post#4.
I am traveling with a non-Indian Hindu, and I want to take her to visit the temples.

Dear Prasad Ji,

Tell her the truth..that this temple is NOT user friendly and take her to other temples.
Why insists on going to a place where all humans are not welcomed?

 

[prasad1]

Dear Prasad Ji,

Tell her the truth..that this temple is NOT user friendly and take her to other temples.
Why insists on going to a place where all humans are not welcomed?

Not everybody is a vedantin. There are more reasons to visit Temples than "meet" God. Anyway I will get a certificate from Arya Samaj.

 

[renuka]

Not everybody is a vedantin. There are more reasons to visit Temples than "meet" God. Anyway I will get a certificate from Arya Samaj.

Dear Prasad ji,

I am no Vedantin..in fact I am a Madhyamika(not the Sunyavada Madhyamika types) but the other type..the one when faces discrimination of any kind just extends the Madhyama Anguli and walks off!LOL