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Friends or Acquaintances?
In my opinion a lot depends on why and for how long one keeps the company of a person considered to be of a negative character. If one is a friend of such a person and remains a friend knowing that he or she is an embarrassment then one can legitimately be tainted, especially if one has done nothing to make the friend realize that their opinions and views are embarrassing and unappreciated.
However, if an embarrassing person is a leader, spiritual or otherwise, there is not more one can do than what Senator Obama has already done in the case of Rev. Wright. I am sure there are many in Rev. Wright's church who don't entirely agree with the views he expresses but since they have nowhere else to go for spiritual awakening they choose to go there and suffer the tirade in silence. Does that make them tainted? I don't think so.
I am a friend of a very ardent Zionist whose political views I do not accept but as a person he is outstanding, loving, considerate. Should I break my relationship with him because I don't agree with his political views? I don't think so! I also befriended and hosted my grandfather's assassin in the hope of changing him but after several months of dialogue and friendship, I realized he was too steeped in hate to change and I politely told him that our ways must part. Should this taint me forever? I don't think so.
By
Arun Gandhi
|
October 7, 2008; 2:36 PM ET
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Posted by: puneetmadaan | October 14, 2008 10:13 AM
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"I also befriended and hosted my grandfather's assassin in the hope of changing him but after several months of dialogue and friendship, I realized he was too steeped in hate to change and I politely told him that our ways must part."
I also befriended and forgave my mother's murderer. It was not an easy process-
I am so sorry for the horrible treatment you received as a result of your valid critique of Israel many months ago Mr. Gandhi.
I applaud your forgiveness- and am happy to see you here.
Peace and I truly salute the godhead within you.
Posted by: ASTORIA | October 11, 2008 1:08 AM
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Great.. My Question goes to Mr. Arun, especially in the way he came out to defend modern Nehru, i mean Obama...
so here is the question which not only bring Gandhians neutrality under scanner, but also the motives ?
Majority of Indian left, including Gandhians had always tagged Veer Savarkar as Neo-NAzi, because some Neo-Nazi women wrote a letter to savarkar, and that was before WW2. It should also be considered that savarkar never replied to that letter, rather simply had ignored it. yet his identity bear's the consequences of that ignorance he had given to that letter; instead of strongly disagreeing with her stand.
Veer Savarkar was the proxy that mobilized all Indian hindus to jump in war against Nazis, yet he is tagged as Neo Nazi due to that letter.
Against the odd we have Gandhi( the figure whose fame you inherited ) that was in Jail for his pro Nazi stand. and from Jail he wrote latter's to Hitler referring him as 'Dear friend'...
now if i apply your logic of sanity, under which each person is answerable for his own karma.... then why such double standards ? shouldn't 1st Gandhians be correcting their historic mistake before making Obama Whitewash ?