It's the Hindu fanatics like you I hate. Incidently, all decent millions of Hindus also hate the fanatics of your kind.

Indian51,
You have so much hate inside of you for Hindus.
Your hateful and angry rants reveal a deep insecurity about your beliefs. This is common in supremacists, especially Muslims, who know they are constantly struggling with contradictions and hypocrisy while trying to believe their god or prophet is the best. I hope you get some help.

I think Hindu fanatics are the most ungrateful, corrupt, cheating thieves in the world who treat their own people (untouchables and lower caste) like dirt. You might remember the blue sari-clad untouchable young women from India at the UN describing their inhuman treatment by the upper caste Hindus such as cleaning the human excrement by their bare hands and carrying heavy loads of that excrement on their head, etc. What a shame! A survey by Transparency International, a global anti-corruption group, listed India on top of its Bribe Payers Index. This on top of the Most Corrupt Nation in the World award. Some other facts: According to World Health Organization, about 770 million people in India defecate publicly. About 20 million fetuses were killed by Hindus in a ten-year period because they were females. A recent Lancet, British medical journal, study concluded that more than 100,000 young Hindu women were killed in bride-burning fires in India every single year because they brought less dowry. Hindus are also the worst kind of racists. I see that every day. Remember, the racial bias law suit filed by the hotel staff in Boston because former Prime Minister Vajpayee did not want blacks to serve or cook for him when he visited the US. India is also on top of prostitution and sending women and young girls for immoral traffic to foreign countries. Here, we’re subjected to a ranting of the “superior Hindu culture.” I sincerely hope that these Hindu fanatics will be born as untouchables in their next life of reincarnation.

India never existed as a single sovereign country until the British took over. Before the British, India was a conglomerate of small kingdoms fighting with each other all the time. So the concept that a united India ever existed in the history is a sham. And the name Hinduism is coined by the British about 300 years ago. The words Hindu or Hinduism are not of Indian origin and they are not mentioned anywhere in any ancient Indian literature (Ramayana, Gita) which Rajaji, Nehru and other eminent personalities and historians called great novels or mythology. A Hindu (as per Arabs and Persians) is a person living along the Indus valley, and the Moguls called the non-Muslims in India Hindus. The British followed the same tradition and finally Hindu and Hinduism become a religion.

Eboo,
The most important lesson to learn in India is that the culture of tolerance and plurality in India did not arise in a vacuum. It comes from Vedanta - the philosophical source of Hinduism.

"India" as a political entity is new. But the underlying culture is very old and is called "Hinduism" by outsiders (Sanatan Dharma by insiders). It is hard to grasp what Hinduism means for people who have not seen it. They think it is just another religon, but it is much more than that.
The concepts of Unity (Brahma), nonduality (advaita), nonviolence (ahimsa), & Yoga (not just the postures); and ideas like vegetarianism and respect for all living things permeate Hinduism. This is not armchair philosophy you will find in India. People live this philosophy, and that is why there is tolerance even in the face of challenges like the Mumbai terrorist attack.

The beauty of Hinduism is that it has no founder. The knowledge and discussions (Upanishads) speak for themselves. There is no egocentric founder, and this is difficult to grasp for many. Hinduism is the source of Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. These belief systems are more understandable to the west because they have founders, similar to the Abrahamic religions. But the founders were Hindus who learned meditation and concepts such as Unity, nonduality and nonviolence. They then came up with new and creative ways to present these ideas, especially to people who need to follow a founder/messenger.
Over the mellenia, Buddhists, Jains, Jews, Christian, Zorastrians, Muslims, Sikhs, and nonbelievers have found refuge among Hindus in India. It is the etenal truth of Hinduism and Vedanta, and it was written down in the Rig Veda (Book1,verse 64,hymn46) more than 7000 years ago: "That which is One, the sages call by many names."
It is a beautiful and inspiring story.

Conversion business
By Khushwant Singh

Recent incidents of violence and vandalism against Christians and their churches deserve to be condemned unreservedly. They have blackened the fair face of Mother India and ruined the reputation of Hindus being the most religiously tolerant people in the world. At the same time, we must take a closer look at people who convert from one faith to another. To start with, let it be understood that these days there are no forced conversions anywhere in the world. India is no exception. Those who assert that the poor, innocent and ignorant of India are being forced to accept Christianity are blatant liars. A few, very few educated and well-to-do men and women convert to another faith when they do not find solace in the faith of their ancestors. Examples are to be found in America and Europe of men and women of substance turning from Judaism and Christianity to Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism. There are also men and women who convert to the faith of those they wish to marry. We have plenty of cases of Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Sikh inter-marriages. However, the largest number of converts come from communities discriminated against. The outstanding example was that of Dalit leader Bhimrao Ambedkar who led his Mahar community to embrace Buddhism because they were discriminated against by upper caste Hindus.
This is also true of over 90 per cent of Indian Muslims whose ancestors being lower caste embraced Islam which gave them equal status. That gives lie to the often-repeated slander that Islam made converts by the sword.
An equally large number of people converted out of gratitude. They were neglected, ignorant and poor. When strangers came to look after them, opened schools and hospitals for them, taught them, healed them and helped them to stand on their own feet to hold their heads high, they felt grateful towards their benefactors. Most of them were Christian missionaries who worked in remote villages and brought hope to the lives of people who were deprived of hope.
To this day, Christian missionaries run the best schools, colleges and hospitals in our country. They are inexpensive and free of corruption. They get converts because of the sense of gratitude they generate. Can this be called forcible conversion? Why don¢t the great champions of Hinduism look within their hearts and find out why so many are disenchanted by their pretensions of piety? Let them first set their own houses in order, purge the caste system out of Hindu society and welcome with open arms all those who wish to join them. No one will then convert from Hinduism to another religion.

Bostonbrahmin,

You wrote: "But the point here is not Hinduism, it is India the country. As long as India the country allows radical and backward looking political parties to gain power, there can never be any move forward"

Don't worry. India IS making progress.
You seem to equate any pride in Hinduism with your fear of BJP and Brahmins (your name betrays you agenda). Most Hindus are neither Brahmins nor extremists. Remember, BJP supported Kalam for President and Congress did not. It's just not that simple.
Remember, the most progress is being made in Gujrat under BJP. This progress has improved the life of Hindus, Muslims, women, everybody. Yes, Godra happened, but you have to admit that LOCALS burning innocents in a train for no reason will always cause a reaction.

We may all be able to learn something about tolerance from Hindus.

**********************************************
Yeah...sure, specially the Mosque demolishing kind of tolerance.

Sure, we can all learn the fine art of "Untouchability".

The greatness of the Dowry system, and the resultent high rate of Female infanticide (among the poor) and selective abortion of female fetus (among the rich)

The importance of buring Muslim "terrorists", remember the Best Bakery case?

It is difficult to state, based on facts, to support this "My religion is better than yours" concept.

But the point here is not Hinduism, it is India the country. As long as India the country allows radical and backward looking political parties to gain power, there can never be any move forward.

I wonder if the future Prime Minister will ascend the throne wearing the crown he was wearin during the RAM-RATH days. Pretending to be a ancienty mythical hero. Will he finally build the shining temple on the ruins of the Mosque he demolished?

Arosscpa,

Saint Thomas the Apostle came to India about 2000 years ago. In 2 millenia, the persecution of Christians has been a rare exception by individuals, never systematic. This is unlike the persecution of Jews by Christians in Europe, the Inquisition, or persecution in Islamic states, like Coptic Christians in Egypt. Pakistan was 40% Hindu in 1947, today it is 1%.

Also, the most powerful politician in India today is Sonia Gandhi who is Catholic Christian. Her son Rahul Gandhi (Christian) is a leading candidate for the next Prime Ministership. The current Defence Minister of India is a Christian (Antony) and a former Defence Minister (Fernandez) was a Christian (2% minority). Can you honestly call that intolerant?

Don't forget the current Prime Minister is a Sikh (2%) and the past President (Kalam) was a Muslim (10-15% minority). There have been 3 Muslim Presidents since 1947. The list goes on. Can you name any society in history where an 85% majority willingly ceded so much power?

I have simply written statements of fact. The claims of Hindu intolerance ring hollow in the face of history and facts. It seems clear that some people want to manipulate facts for an anti-Hindu agenda, but their statements are disingenuous. We may all be able to learn something about tolerance from Hindus.

clearthinking1

Please do your research. The Hindu-sponsored violence in Gurjat is primarily focused on Christians who have converted from Hinduism, and the missionaries and aid workers doing work in Gurjat.

Bubaneshwar (AsiaNews) – A Catholic nun was burnt alive by a group of Hindu fundamentalists who stormed the orphanage she ran in the district of Bargarh (Orissa), this according to Police Superintendent Ashok Biswall--

http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=13056

So much about Graham Steins being an isolated incident....

Hindus (85% majority) are, have been, and always will be extremely tolerant. It is in their profound philosophy Unity and oneness(Vedanta).

The reason why riots happened in Gujrat was that LOCAL Muslims burned innocent Hindu women and children alive in a train car. In Dehli, LOCAL Sikhs killed the Prime Minister and LOCAL Sikhs celebrated. In Bombay, LOCAL Muslims participated in the bombings. In Orissa, LOCAL Christians killed a Hindu leader. The key word is LOCAL. In Mumbai, NONlocal Pakistanis committed the mass murder of innocents. Indian citizens - whether Sikh, Muslim, Hindu, Christians - all must behave in a civilized and nonviolent manner. Otherwise, the targeted group will, of course, react in self-defence. Sometimes, they overreact, and tragedy is multiplied.

The Sikhs learned this basic civics lesson, and now a Sikh is the Prime Minister of a country which is 2% Sikh and 85% Hindu. This is just 20 years after Sikh terrorism against Hindus. Talk about tolerant Hindus! If Mexican-Americans committed acts of terrorism like Sikhs, even Americans would not elect a Mexican-American to be President so soon.

As tragic as Gujrat was, the basic lesson of civilized behaviour in a tolerant, pluralistic society was relearned. The reaction of LOCAL Muslims in Mumbai was reasonable, rational, and civilized - just like the Hindus.

Hindus have always been tolerant going back many millenia. Jains, Buddhists, Zorastrians, Jews, Muslims, Christians, & nonbelievers have all found refuge among Hindus.

BTW, Bostonbrahmin: as you know, Graham Staines is an isolated case of murder in a land of over a billion people. The murderers were convicted and sentenced according to law - end of discussion. Stop playing your illogical rhetorical anti-Hindu games. We all know you are full of hate for Hindus. If you have an agenda, try to present it with logic and data.

Mr. Patel:

I think your editorial and tour are at best ignorant, and at worst hypocritical and condones the profound violence that has been directed at the Indian religious minorities,

Priests have been killed, nuns and laywomen raped and killed, churches, hospitals, and other buildings pillaged and burnt. This rampage has been led and coordinated by the radical Hindus in the west of India, and the government has done little to intervene or guard the minorities.

Perhaps you can help protect the right of conscience and religious practice by missionaries and converts before helping India become a shining light of moderation.

Eboo Patel,
interfaith cooperation from the youth? To work,it should come from the VIPs of each religion.

Eboo, Eboo, Eboo,

You still have not seen the light of Reality and Truth. All religions are serverely flawed and your tour through India should note this.

With respect to Islam, said flaws:

(for those eyes that have not seen),

Mohammed was an illiterate, womanizing, lust and greed-driven, warmongering, hallucinating Arab, who also had embellishing/hallucinating/ plagiarizing scribal biographers who not only added "angels" and flying chariots to the koran but also a militaristic agenda to support the plundering and looting of the lands of non-believers.

This agenda continues as shown by the assassination of Bhutto, the conduct of the seven Muslim doctors in the UK, the 9/11 terrorists, the 24/7 Sunni suicide/roadside/market/mosque bombers, the 24/7 Shiite suicide/roadside/market/ mosque bombers, the Islamic bombers of the trains in the UK and Spain, the Bali crazies, the Kenya crazies, the Pakistani “koranics”, the Palestine suicide bombers/rocketeers, the Lebanese nutcases, the Taliban nut jobs, and the Filipino “koranics”.

And who funds this muck and stench of terror? The warmongering, Islamic, Shiite terror and torture theocracy of Iran aka the Third Axis of Evil and also the Sunni "Wannabees" of Saudi Arabia.

Current crises:

The Sunni-Shiite blood feud and the warmongering, womanizing (11 wives), hallucinating founder

Eboo, Eboo, Eboo,

You still have not see the light of Reality and Truth. All religions are serverely flawed and your tour through India should note this.

With respect to Islam, said flaws:

(for those eyes that have not seen),

Mohammed was an illiterate, womanizing, lust and greed-driven, warmongering, hallucinating Arab, who also had embellishing/hallucinating/ plagiarizing scribal biographers who not only added "angels" and flying chariots to the koran but also a militaristic agenda to support the plundering and looting of the lands of non-believers.

This agenda continues as shown by the assassination of Bhutto, the conduct of the seven Muslim doctors in the UK, the 9/11 terrorists, the 24/7 Sunni suicide/roadside/market/mosque bombers, the 24/7 Shiite suicide/roadside/market/ mosque bombers, the Islamic bombers of the trains in the UK and Spain, the Bali crazies, the Kenya crazies, the Pakistani “koranics”, the Palestine suicide bombers/rocketeers, the Lebanese nutcases, the Taliban nut jobs, and the Filipino “koranics”.

And who funds this muck and stench of terror? The warmongering, Islamic, Shiite terror and torture theocracy of Iran aka the Third Axis of Evil and also the Sunni "Wannabees" of Saudi Arabia.

Current crises:

The Sunni-Shiite blood feud and the warmongering, womanizing (11 wives), hallucinating founder.

Lets start by talking about Graham Steins, 58, who along with his two sons Philip,10,and Timothy, 8, were burnt alive on January 23, 1999, when the vehicle in which they were sleeping was set afire.

His crime? He was an Australian missionary who had been working in the state of Orissa for three decades treating lepers in remote tribal areas.

His murderer Dara Singh, was close to a local Member of Legislative Assembly, and his activities were well known by the local police who chose to look the other way. He was also a member of "Bajrang Dal", which is a semi-religious body affiliated with the Hindu Extremist Bharaiya Janata Party. which was in power at that time in India.

The same extremists are poised to win the next election, just over the horizon. Time for more missionary buring?

When the times comes to reform global institutions like the World Bnk, WTO, IMF and United Nations, it is my hope that countries like India, Brazil and South Africa will finally have a real say in determining their policies, which should be designed from the outset to be more "user-friendly" for developing countries.

Michael C. McHugh