Nasci, I am sorry. What you have posted in your last response is utter nonsense. Let me tell you why.
1. I have written several original posts on secularism in this forum over the last decade. I append below the text of two such posts edited and reformatted as a short article. 2. I have written hundreds of original posts on all kinds of other subjects. You can find them in the publicly accessible Goanet archives. 3. I have never claimed that Hindus dont have snake temples. Snakes are worshipped by Hindus, Jains and Buddhists. There is nothing wrong with this form of worship. There is nothing wrong with having snake temples. 4. The Penang Snake Temple is indeed a Buddhist temple. I am surprised that a person who claims to have visited it does not know this simple fact. Here is a link to a description on this temple: http://www.penang.ws/penang-attractions/snaketemple.htm 5. I have never defended Hindu beliefs. I have no reason to do that. Cheers, Santosh ******************* SECULARISM ******************* By Santosh Helekar The word secularism has many meanings, all of which are good. In Indian and British English this word is commonly used to mean tolerance and respect for the right of an individual to hold or not to hold the beliefs of any religion. Secular people, irrespective of whether they are priests or not, consider all religions, as well as absence of religion, to be completely equal. >From my point of view, a religious priest who is impressed with or who identifies himself with the spirit of secularism is a truly enlightened human being. If you refer to an expanded version of Oxford English dictionary, you will find that the word "secular" has over 15 different meanings. You will need a subscription for this, but here is the link for the word secular in that version of the Oxford dictionary: http://dictionary.oed.com/cgi/entry/50218143?single=1&query_type=word&queryword=secular&first=1&max_to_show=10 I submit to you that the word secular or secularism, as it is commonly used in India (and raised in reference to Fr. Cosme J. Costa), invokes the sense in which this word is used in the Indian Constitution, which, in short, is to refer to its commitment to religious pluralism. I don't know whether you know this, but the preamble of the Indian Constitution defines India as a secular democratic republic. Secularism as enshrined in the Constitution of India is described by the Vice Chancellor of Goa University, Prof. P. R. Dubhashi in the following manner: Secularism has been one of the essential elements in the basic structure of our Constitution which lays down that 1) the state has no religion; 2) all citizens however have the fundamental right to follow and propagate their own religion; and 3) it is the duty of the state to protect life, liberty and property of all citizens, provide security to them and enable them to exercise their fundamental rights. The state will not discriminate between the citizens on the grounds of religion and language. The above quote is taken from an article entitled Meaning of Secularism by P. R. Dubhashi. Here is the link to that article: http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/op/2002/06/11/stories/2002061100020200.htm The "militant secularists" of Chuck Colson is a mean spirited pejorative usage, which is unfortunately not unique to American politics. Religious chauvinists everywhere are fond of using that term, often to vent their hatred of people who disagree with them or who are indifferent to religion in general. The Hindutva zealots in India use the same term to describe those who oppose their views and policies. In their view Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and Mahatma Gandhi, who personified the spirit of secularism in the founding of modern India, were militant secularists. --- Nasci Caldeira <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Santosh, > > I have no brand of 'Secularism'. I do not consider > myself that 'Intelligent'?? I dwelt on secularism, >only in response to George Pinto mentioning >Secularism in refence to my first post. > ........................................ > _____________________________________________ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)