Hindus Under Siege – The Way Out

[Anirudh]

To thosef ew naysayers, please do respect the western hindus as equals, they made a very hard decision with the transition, give them sahara(support)

Very valid point.

[Sahasranama]

I digress. American hatred for hinduism is a well known fact, that is the predominant reason hindus remain elusive about their faith (unlike jews and muslims) . Tulsi G’s declarations has changed all that to the pleasant surprise of all. Americans indirectly signalyou,
' don’t bother telling us about hinduism, that’s some pagan faith not worth talking about’. Up until now the people here haven’t recognized it as alegitimate belief system, only recently with some lay people embracing the faith sending shock waves among the clergy, the Americans are even glancing at hinduism with some curiosity. Otherwise its importance lies in it being a fertile ground to hunt for easy victims for the conniving evangelicals. On their part hindus must not be rude to the newcomers. Some of the members here are confused and lump the new hindus alongside the antihindus. Separate oranges from apples first. To thosef ew naysayers, please do respect the western hindus as equals, they made a very hard decision with the transition, give them sahara(support). Namaste.

Then I will digress along...

Americans have had interest in Hinduism for a few centuries. The Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads made a lot of impact on the transcendentalists. In the post-Calvinistic society people moved away from pessimistic thinking and took elements from Hinduism to develop a so called Christian Science or New Thought to develop a more positive outlook on life. The theosophic society and other occult groups also took interest in Hinduism, especially Tantra and Yoga. Psychologists started looking at Hinduism as well. This trend has never really stopped. This hasn't result in Hinduism spreading in the west, but in the emergence of an Americanised narcissistic religion of self delusion with an incoherent philosophy which was still largely based on Christian ideology. As long as Hinduism fits this model, it is accepted in America.

In other words, a so called Hindu like Deepak Chopra who promises you to get rich and live a long life is embraced with open arms, but a Hindu like Subramanian Swamy who stands up for Hindu rights and is concerned about Islamic terrorism in India is considered a pariah. Westerners are concerned about Islamic terrorism everywhere in the world, be it in Israel, in Africa or some oil country. But when it comes to Islamic terrorism in areas that concern Hindus, you can destroy your career even talking about it.

It's not unimaginable that Hindus are a little sceptic when westerners show interest in Hinduism. They may even look sincere, but will later give away their true intentions when they say things like Jesus is an avatar/ a vedantic guru or that it as all similar to Kaballah. They will give away their true feelings when they comment on Hindu politics on issues like Rama Janma Bhumi, Kashmir or Pakistan. Some see Hinduism only as an alternative form of psychology. Some have mere academic interest and take diksha solely as an anthropological experiment without ever doing nitya karma and instead spend their time on the Internet bashing everyone who does have faith in Hinduism. Some see Hinduism as valuable to their business model and start opening yoga studios or start teaching workshops and retreats to make a lot of money.

We should always welcome converts who are sincere and have devotion towards the Hindu deities, but from experience I can say that some caution is warranted and not all people who show interest in Hinduism can be considered sincere.

As for Tulsi Gabbard, I can respect that she is a convert to Hinduism and a devotee of Krishna and that she has become a member of the US congress, but her real test will be how she will handle issues that are important to Hindus. When it comes to the Islamic terrorism Hindus are suffering from, will she support military action against Pakistan or will she act like a peace loving hippie? What will be her stance on Christian charities collecting money in the US who go to foreign countries to commit religious violence and conversion? Issues like this will determine her sincerity as a Hindu politician.

[/digression]

[Webimpulse]

It's not unimaginable that Hindus are a little sceptic when westerners show interest in Hinduism. They may even look sincere, but will later give away their true intentions when they say things like Jesus is an avatar/ a vedantic guru or that it as all similar to Kaballah. They will give away their true feelings when they comment on Hindu politics on issues like Rama Janma Bhumi, Kashmir or Pakistan. Some see Hinduism only as an alternative form of psychology. Some have mere academic interest and take diksha solely as an anthropological experiment without ever doing nitya karma and instead spend their time on the Internet to bash everyone who does have faith in Hinduism. Some see Hinduism as valuable to their business model and start opening yoga studios or start teaching workshops and retreats to make a lot of money.

We should always welcome converts who are sincere and have devotion towards the Hindu deities, but from experience I can say that some caution is warranted and not all people who show interest in Hinduism can be considered sincere.

Namaste Sahasranama,

You do make some good points about who's sincere and who isn't, but if I may add something as a Western convert (that you hopefully consider sincere):

Part of the reason why Hinduism appealed to me and brought me out of the abyss of depression and self-loathing was the fact that anyone can practice it. If you're wondering how that's relevant, what I'm trying to say is that maybe the focus shouldn't be on "spanking" those who are insincere by your definition, but rather encouraging and helping those who are truly sincere. Hinduism isn't about the attack, after all - it should be about the defense and the healing.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that not every Westerner who shows interest should be treated as insincere? Not saying you are, but I think a Westerner would show more genuine interest if not met with skepticism and veiled hostility.

Besides, a fellow Hindu (as in born Hindu) I know has told me once, "it is not up to us to decide who's sincere - it is up to God." So maybe it's best to treat everyone the same and, to use an old cliche, let God sort 'em out.

(I do apologize if my point isn't all that coherent...if you want clarification, just ask.)

[Sahasranama]

I guess what I'm trying to say is that not every Westerner who shows interest should be treated as insincere? Not saying you are, but I think a Westerner would show more genuine interest if not met with skepticism and veiled hostility.

That is indeed not what I am saying. I am not saying that every convert should be treated with hostility and suspicion, but realistically we can't expect most them being sincere either. Some scepticism from Hindus towards converts is understandable though. You may be sincere, I don't know. Please don't take any of this personally.

[Webimpulse]

That is indeed not what I am saying. I am not saying that every convert should be treated with hostility and suspicion, but realistically we can't expect most them being sincere either. You may be sincere, I don't know. Please don't take any of this personally. Some scepticism from Hindus towards converts is understandable though.

Understood, thank you for the clarification.

[Eastern Mind]

Vannakkam: I'll admit it. I'm a western convert wary of western converts. Especially the more recent ones. Seriously. Too many experiences to not be wary.

Aum Namasivaya

[ShivaFan]

Namaste Sahasranama

Speaking only to the point of Hindu heroes in academia who stand up for defending Hinduism from Islamic attackers, the fact that such Hindus would be subject to such abuse from University staff, professors and such should be no surprise.

Why? Because those professors who attack Hindus are communists and socialists. Too many are.

And so, they will spit in the face of Hindus and they KISS THE FEET of Islamists because both the Academicians and the Islamists have a common enemy, it doesn't matter if they seem opposites. So the Leftsts in the University will attack the Hindu because a true Hindu will bravely stand up to defend India from Islamic terror and hegemony, and since the Western Academicians like it when politicized Islam attacks and weakens anything that is not communist, then "ones enemy's enemy is your friend".

Hindus must realize, the communists are no friend to Hinduism. Not every professor is a communist or socialist. But too many are. Especially in the West. But I wouldn't be surprised if there are communists in Indian academic circles and universities as well, watch out.

Om Namah Sivaya

[Sahasranama]

Namaste Sahasranama

Speaking only to the point of Hindu heroes in academia who stand up for defending Hinduism from Islamic attackers, the fact that such Hindus would be subject to such abuse from University staff, professors and such should be no surprise.

Yes, it is just another example how anti-Hindu western academia are, especially the departments that teach about India and Hinduism.

The instigator of this whole incident was Diana L. Eck, professor of comparative religion and Indian studies.

This is her email address where people can send protest mail:
dianaeck@fas.harvard.edu

[ShivaFan]

Namaste Sahasranama

Did you the name Diana Eck?

Oh my God. Is she attacking Hindus who defend against Islamic terrorism? I think I know, or bumped into someone with that name, Eck, in India. I thought she was a Hindu Westerner. I'm not kidding. I cannot believe if this is the same girl... Unless she just is like, I am embarrassed to say, some Westerners who jump from one "exotic religion" to another. So she likes Islam now?

This is how Westerners make life Hell for other Westerners.

This girl dressed in white Hindu clothes and yogi type female devotee type clothes.

Om Namah Sivaya

[Sahasranama]

I am not sure if that's the same person. She is an old hag from Harvard, her picture is on this website.

http://www.hds.harvard.edu/people/faculty/diana-l-eck

She also seems to be a supporter of radical Islamist Tariq Ramadan:

http://www.phyllis-chesler.com/1060/...ramanian-swamy


More information on the incident can be found here:
http://vivekajyoti.blogspot.nl/2011/...bramanian.html