Double stand on Tolerance vs Intolerance in India!

vijay wrote:

So should we blame Muslims or strengthen our religion?

Strengthen our religion to such an extent that none can take Hinduism for granted. We  committed this mistake of being tolerant earlier. But we learned the lessons.

We were not tolerant but were disunited and did not change our hateful attitude towards bulk of Hindus the lower castes something we practice today also. Upper cast in minority Hindus do not want beef to be eaten by majority lower cast Hindus. Our rigidity is Hinduism's weakness. Who wull strengthen it, the one's who want Vedic practices or the ones who want winds of change to blow across Hinduism?

No amount of wind or gales or Blizzard can change the Vedas and Vedic practices of Hinduism. It has survived for centuries and continue to survive for ever in this land Hindus.

Among the beef eaters in India the majority are Muslims , almost 40 -50% of the Muslim population and then come the Christians and Hindus are next. Only 2% of Hindus eat beef although going by the numbers they may be more than Christians , so the argument that majority of the low caste Hindus eat beef is not true..There are more beef eaters among the Scheduled caste than in any other group/

http://www.livemint.com/Politics/RhPVLUFmclIDWRIiSoTC7N/Who-are-the-beef-eaters-in-India.html

More than 8 crore Indians eat beef, why should they be deprived of it and beef will be exported for non Indians to eat. Can there be a better example of denying proteins to fellow Indians and feeding non Indians. Vedic practices of Hinduism are not under attack, the rigid attitude of many Indians are. They run to Vedas for cover instead of rational arguments.

Can you say with a proof that vedas are irrational ? I expressed my opinion like it or leave it

At no point have I ever said that Vedas are irrational. Those are your words. I maintain that Vedas cannot be superimposed directly in today's times. They are not rigid. They promote dialog and discussion to arrive at rational conclusions. Opinions expressed in public can be challenged. Otherwise it is merely a point generating activity.

Religion is a man made institution that evolved because of certain societal needs and has now become more a menace, than a boon...But one cannot wish it away and one can see that many customs and traditions too are connected to religion, so whether one believes or not religion does play a very important role in our lives . If people can be tolerant and also be analytical rather than blindly following something that has been passed down to them, there would be awareness and tolerance since religion loses its undue importance!

The common people are usually tolerant. It is only the politicians and some persons with agenda who periodically whip up religious issues to make easy gains by polarising the masses. 

I agree. People in general are tolerant. But unfortunately, these very people are electing intolerant representatives and sending them to the Parliament.

There is no perfect society and what is ok to me may not be so to another person. Being judgmental and critical about others beliefs and customs has become a norm in our society , not just with the majority but with the minorities as well...I have seen how Hindu students are treated in Convents since I studied in one and we were asked to pray in their style kneeling down etc and not wear a bindi or a chain with Hindu gods pendants etc...It is these rules that made Hindu organisations revolt and become more rigid about their own customs and vice versa ! If both sides become leniant and adopt a give and take policy , the atmosphere would be far more  peaceful ..

I too studied in Convents. To be specific, It was Methodist Boys High school in Hyderabad. But never faced any problems. We are free from restrictions of any kind. A student is allowed to wear any religious marks that speak about their religion. Of course attending morning chapels was mandatory.

I too studied in an Christian run school and was never forced into any religious practice of any sort. I have pleasant memories of the dedicated Christian teachers. Pseudo nationalists are responsible for hatred between communities.

While I have the highest regard for the standard of education and the disciplinary aspects of Convent schools, I have some bad memories as well because of the unfairness of it ! Christian girls were allowed to wear crosses whereas Hindu girls were asked to remove any religious pendants on a chain, it happened to me and when I questioned them, they were quite insulting about Hinduism. There were several other such minor incidents which left a mark on me and others as well. I met the nuns many years later and we spoke on the same subject and they did feel that they could have avoided it.This changed view was probably because of the changed atmosphere in Mangalore and Bangalore where Hindus had begun to strike back by then and were not ready to take such things lying down ! 

Surely, our reactions are based on our experiences. But they have to be tempered with changing times to reflect new realities.

usha manohar wrote:

While I have the highest regard for the standard of education and the disciplinary aspects of Convent schools, I have some bad memories as well because of the unfairness of it ! Christian girls were allowed to wear crosses whereas Hindu girls were asked to remove any religious pendants on a chain, it happened to me and when I questioned them, they were quite insulting about Hinduism. There were several other such minor incidents which left a mark on me and others as well. I met the nuns many years later and we spoke on the same subject and they did feel that they could have avoided it.This changed view was probably because of the changed atmosphere in Mangalore and Bangalore where Hindus had begun to strike back by then and were not ready to take such things lying down ! 

I am agree with, I studied in Khalsa collage. It is belongs to Sikh community. They always prefer to appoint only Sikhs. One teacher at my time was follower of Acharya Rajnish. Administration removed him from service because he was wearing paddent of Rajneesh and saffron clothes.

I agree that intolerance is very much part of our life, not just here in India but elsewhere as well, where Indians are being attacked simply because of fear phobia and racism ,,

@Usha. You are right, but Hindus will bow only to westerners or those who have the sword. They wont bow down to blacks and negroes. We Hindus have a fetish for white skin.

Now the topic has changed to wearing religious symbols on body or clothes. Many Hindus have tattoo of 'OM'  on their arms. Many wear caps or other things specific to their religion.  I personally feel that religion is a personal matter and we should not display religious symbols while in office or schools. The schools run by religious institutions are likely to display pictures relating to their own religion and also encourage their students to use particular symbols and discourage other faiths symbols.  As long as don't give undue significance to these, all is well.  I daily use auto to travel to my office. The autos also display symbols- Hanuman, Rama photos,  muslim symbol 786, sai baba photo.  But this is all routine and passengers don't bother. They have only to travel- whatever be displayed- sai baba or 786. 

In all the public transport system like Buses and Autos many quotes pertaining to religions appear. As long as these religious symbols or marks do not stop you from reaching your destination, it matters little.