[Goanet]Re: questions about hindu caste

2004-12-01 Thread A.C. Menezes
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a number of posts have appeared  under the heading ofquestions about 
hindu caste

till today i am at loss to understand  what is the exact motive behind 
starting a discussion under this topic

if , in case i have guessed correctly, some goanetters want to corner the 
hindu intelligentsia vis  a vis the catholic caste system, then these 
catholics should be very careful for the hindu caste system is a very 
complicated set of rules and regulations which is summarized in the  
manusmriti.

the catholic caste system of saligao/loutolim variety is a travesty or 
rather a burlesque of the hindu caste system.

to understand the hindu varna, one has to read carefully 'the laws of manu' 
translated by dr. wendy doniger,a professor of history of religions at the 
university of chicago (penguin classics). mind you , it is not easily 
digestible(readable)  and furthermore , a sensitive soul  may need, whilst 
perusing it, a vomit bad by his/her side.

incidentally, the most effective way of fighting casteism is to provide 
oneself with best the education can offer  combined with accumulation of 
long term capital, i.e. become wealthy.

antonio
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[Goanet]RE: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-26 Thread Mario Goveia
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Everyone knows that the caste system is
discrimination, pure and simple.  It may have made
sense hundreds of years ago, but no longer.  What
education will open the eyes of any adult who still
does not know this?  It's time for all right thinking
people to stand up and oppose this despciable system,
wherever and whenever it rears its ugly head.



RE: [Goanet]RE: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-26 Thread Alfred de Tavares
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From: "Tim de Mello" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: RE: [Goanet]RE: Questions about Hindu caste?
Date: Tue, 23 Nov 2004 23:26:31 -0500

From: "Cip Fernandes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
What type of "E D U C A T I O N ?"  Religious?  Academic?
...Theology? ...?
Cip
===
Education is the broadening of one's mind.
I was not refering to learning which you seem to be implying.
Tim de Mello
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
CANADA
Cip,
I would say all available/possible education; our braint is a veritable, 
beneficial sponge at absorbing
what it is exposed to.

True we can but expose it to good and(or bad); but it has phenomenal 
discrimatory powers.

The rather-mythical IQ evalations are best ignored.
After all how interesting a world full of Einsteins be or, for that matter, 
one full of worthy nerds?
Alfred

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RE: [Goanet]RE: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-24 Thread Gabriel de Figueiredo
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 --- Cip Fernandes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: 
> What type of "E D U C A T I O N ?"  Religious?
>  Academic?
> ...Theology? ...?
> 
> Cip

a) Teach your current and subsequent generations that
caste makes no sense;

b) encourage mixing of people from various backgrounds
by inviting them to your parties and other social
gatherings;

c) if by chance, a couple from differing backgrounds
happen to fall in love, encourage and nurture the
relationship rather than questioning "Are you sure you
are doing the right thing (wrt backgrounds)?"

These are but a few ways that can assist in the
"education".   

But it all starts with you and me.   

Cheers,

Gabriel.

Find local movie times and trailers on Yahoo! Movies.
http://au.movies.yahoo.com



Re: [Goanet]RE: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-23 Thread Mario Goveia
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Frederick,
You say, "To demand that a Hindu doesn't believe in a
caste categorisation is akin to demanding that
Catholics don't believe in religion, and after all 
religion divides people doesn't it?"

I'm sorry, but this makes no sense at all.  All decent
religions preach peace, goodwill and harmony, even if
this may not be followed in practice at all times. 
Caste, on the other hand, is blatant discrimination
pure and simple, within each religion.  It may have
had a rationale 5,000 years ago, but what is the
rationale for continuing it today?  It makes even less
sense when practiced by Catholics.  Did you know that
they have separate Catholic parishes and churches for
"dalits" and "brahmins" in Kerala?

It is time to get beyond this despicable practice,
regardless of how and why it started and continued for
so long.



--- "Frederick Noronha(FN)"
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

>
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> 
> On Tue, 23 Nov 2004, rene barreto wrote:
> 
> > Writing or talking does not help eliminate CASTE ,
> action does.
> >
> > Do WE have any suggestions as to how this CASTE
> problem can
> > be addressed ?  If so please share them with us on
> this Goan Forum.
> 
> Rene,
> 
> There seems to be some confusion creeping in here.
> 
> What exactly is *the caste problem*?
> 
> Do you mean caste-based discrimination and
> unjustified/unnecessary 
> feelings of superiority and inferiority? If so, I
> agree with you fully 
> and more, it indeed is a significant and serious
> problem.
> 
> Some on Goanet are interpreting this 'problem' to
> mean any acknowledgement 
> of an  inherited, caste-based identity. Something
> which, we assume, needs 
> to be denounced before we can move ahead.
> 
> We need to be sensitive to accept that the Hindu
> position on this would 
> obviously be different from that within
> Christianity. And I am nobody to 
> sit in judgement on someone else's definition of
> their self-identity, 
> though I retain my right to criticise 'urban myths'
> about superiority, etc
> 
> R K Nair suggested this difference, when he himself
> pointed out (some 
> might have missed the suggestion) that his surname
> makes it clear that he 
> is a Nair (a Kerala-based caste known for its
> matrilineal traditions). I 
> also do not think it's fair to blast Santosh for an
> accident of birth, 
> whereas one could and should judge him (or anyone
> else) for words and 
> actions. As a Helecar, Santosh will be seen as
> belonging to a certain 
> caste (Saraswat Brahmin, in this case), whether he
> so defines himself or 
> not. There's little he can do about it, short of
> disguising/dropping his 
> family name which might be both undesirable or still
> unhelpful. This is 
> just like as a Noronha I'm seen by the outside world
> as belonging to a 
> certain religion.
> 
> In Christianity, the problem is complex, because
> this is a religion which 
> doesn't give any theological sanction for the
> acceptance of caste. For 
> Hinduism, caste is part of the accepted religious
> world-view, so I don't 
> think anyone from the outside has a right to go and
> preach in what 
> direction Hinduism should reform itself.
> 
> (This reminds me of the hypocrisy evident in demands
> being made by 
> Hindutva proponents for the reform of Islam, its
> educational system, its 
> family laws, its attitude towards women, etc. All
> very easy when it comes 
> to 'reforming' someone else's traditions... it also
> gives us that smug 
> feeling that we are somehow *superior* than the
> rest. We aren't!)
> 
> As things stand in India today, untouchability has
> been banned by law. 
> Even if that had some sanction in the past, it was
> an odious human 
> practise. Caste, in itself, still lives on. In some
> states, official forms 
> require one to fill in one caste. in the 'sixties
> and 'seventies, we had a 
> column for 'race and religion', an experience we
> shared probably with 
> friends in Africa then, and countries like Malaysia
> till date. So our 
> school authorities hurriedly sorted out this dilemma
> by getting us to fill 
> in 'Indian Christian'. I don't think any of the
> racial/racist theories of 
> the past claim that there is an 'Indian' race. (At
> least not outside of 
> North America, where the

RE: [Goanet]RE: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-23 Thread Tim de Mello
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From: "Cip Fernandes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
What type of "E D U C A T I O N ?"  Religious?  Academic?
...Theology? ...?
Cip
===
Education is the broadening of one's mind.
I was not refering to learning which you seem to be implying.
Tim de Mello
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
CANADA



RE: [Goanet]RE: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-23 Thread Cip Fernandes
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What type of "E D U C A T I O N ?"  Religious?  Academic?
...Theology? ...?

Cip

-Original Message-
Tim de Mello on 23 November 2004 15:50

"rene barreto" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> asked:
Do WE have any suggestions as to how this CASTE problem can be addressed ?


Answer:

E D U C A T I O N


Tim de Mello
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
CANADA






Re: [Goanet]RE: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-23 Thread Frederick Noronha(FN)
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On Tue, 23 Nov 2004, rene barreto wrote:
Writing or talking does not help eliminate CASTE , action does.
Do WE have any suggestions as to how this CASTE problem can
be addressed ?  If so please share them with us on this Goan Forum.
Rene,
There seems to be some confusion creeping in here.
What exactly is *the caste problem*?
Do you mean caste-based discrimination and unjustified/unnecessary 
feelings of superiority and inferiority? If so, I agree with you fully 
and more, it indeed is a significant and serious problem.

Some on Goanet are interpreting this 'problem' to mean any acknowledgement 
of an  inherited, caste-based identity. Something which, we assume, needs 
to be denounced before we can move ahead.

We need to be sensitive to accept that the Hindu position on this would 
obviously be different from that within Christianity. And I am nobody to 
sit in judgement on someone else's definition of their self-identity, 
though I retain my right to criticise 'urban myths' about superiority, etc

R K Nair suggested this difference, when he himself pointed out (some 
might have missed the suggestion) that his surname makes it clear that he 
is a Nair (a Kerala-based caste known for its matrilineal traditions). I 
also do not think it's fair to blast Santosh for an accident of birth, 
whereas one could and should judge him (or anyone else) for words and 
actions. As a Helecar, Santosh will be seen as belonging to a certain 
caste (Saraswat Brahmin, in this case), whether he so defines himself or 
not. There's little he can do about it, short of disguising/dropping his 
family name which might be both undesirable or still unhelpful. This is 
just like as a Noronha I'm seen by the outside world as belonging to a 
certain religion.

In Christianity, the problem is complex, because this is a religion which 
doesn't give any theological sanction for the acceptance of caste. For 
Hinduism, caste is part of the accepted religious world-view, so I don't 
think anyone from the outside has a right to go and preach in what 
direction Hinduism should reform itself.

(This reminds me of the hypocrisy evident in demands being made by 
Hindutva proponents for the reform of Islam, its educational system, its 
family laws, its attitude towards women, etc. All very easy when it comes 
to 'reforming' someone else's traditions... it also gives us that smug 
feeling that we are somehow *superior* than the rest. We aren't!)

As things stand in India today, untouchability has been banned by law. 
Even if that had some sanction in the past, it was an odious human 
practise. Caste, in itself, still lives on. In some states, official forms 
require one to fill in one caste. in the 'sixties and 'seventies, we had a 
column for 'race and religion', an experience we shared probably with 
friends in Africa then, and countries like Malaysia till date. So our 
school authorities hurriedly sorted out this dilemma by getting us to fill 
in 'Indian Christian'. I don't think any of the racial/racist theories of 
the past claim that there is an 'Indian' race. (At least not outside of 
North America, where the White man got it so badly mixed up!) Anyway, that 
was the way out then.

Reform won't come because outsiders criticise practises of any 
religion. It has to come when people from within feel the need for change; 
just as Goa's Devdasi system undertook a remarkable self-transformation in 
the decades following the 1920s.

Aggressively critiquing and blasting someone else of another religion or 
culture (unless our intention is to merely score debating points) is 
unlikely to bring about change.

If Hindus themselves want to reform their religion, it is up to them. It 
cannot be forced by one-sided critiques from elsewhere.

To demand that a Hindu doesn't believe in a caste categorisation is akin 
to demanding that Catholics don't believe in religion, and after all 
religion divides people doesn't it?

Incidentally, I think there is enough theological justification for even 
an atheist to be a Hindu in the religious sense too, though the same is 
not true in religions that grow out of Semetic roots. Maybe Dr Helecar 
will enlighten us about this. Though we know he doesn't define himself 
in religious terms, my point is that he well could, if he wanted to. 
Hinduism allows for that. All religions don't have to have exactly the 
same features to be treated as religions; Buddhism doesn't even 
believe in a god (sorry, capital G) in the sense say Christianity does.

Also, I don't think 'idol worship' has any negative connotations in 
Hinduism, as it does in say in Islam or C

Re: [Goanet]RE: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-23 Thread Mervyn Lobo
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Cip Fernandes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: 
> Now, as he is the most intelligent liberal Hindu (by
> birth only) Goanetter why is he reluctant to 
> denounce publicly his so-called inherited 
> Saraswat Brahmin caste on Goanet?


Cip,
Someone must have told you by now that the so called
caste you inherited, is nothing more than an "urban
legend."

Regardless of what caste was assigned to you, just try
and purge the caste system from your mind.  

That way, you will not need to spend your life in
misery, waiting for others that you consider "higher
classes" to denounce the system.


Mervyn2.0


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Re: [Goanet]RE: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-23 Thread Mario Goveia
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Cornel,
Because I believe you are a serious person, though
occasionally misinformed on some issues but not this
one, I will gladly accept my mistake.  I will do
almost anything if I can get people to take a stronger
stand against the caste system, which has bothered me
all my life.  Here's what I said to Rene Barreto, who
asked what we can actually do about the issue in
practical terms, in another post:

Rene, my suggestion is to just oppose it on moral and
religious grounds, whenever and wherever it rears it's
ugly head.  I remember infuriating my Grandmother when
I was a teenager when I told her she had to go to
confession every time she spoke disparagingly about
someone based on their caste.  Drove her bonkers at
first, but she eventually got the point.





--- cornel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

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>
##
> 
> Mario,
> Yes one can be a Hindu and not believe in God. I
> believed this to be so, but
> nevertheless, consulted three academics on the
> telephone who felt they were
> Hindu by identity and culture even though dismissive
> of caste and God. I had
> also read about this issue previously in books on
> Hinduism, where
> invariably, Hinduism was described as a way of life 
> more so than a
> religion, notwithstanding a plethora of Gods rather
> than just one. I also
> claim that a non believer in God is perfectly able
> to write about religious
> issues, often, more insightfully, as they are no
> longer encumbered by a
> faith in God. Indeed, some excellent books on
> religion have been written by
> non believers in God or lapsed believers for that
> matter, including former
> priests and nuns and there are hell of a lot of such
> non believers in the
> world today.
> 
> Similarly, I think it would be possible to be
> brought up a Catholic and be
> one culturally without continuing to accept that
> there is a God. I am
> tentative about this specific point but I am sure
> other better informed
> Goanetters could throw more light on this issue.
> Minimally, Mario, you were wrong on at least one
> aspect of your reply to my
> genuine (non feigned) query. The bigger question now
> is whether you can
> accept that you were wrong?
> Cornel
> - Original Message - 
> From: "Mario Goveia"  > Can you call yourself a Hindu if you don't believe
> in
> > God?  Can you call yourself a Catholic if you
> don't
> > believe in God?  No, you can't.
> 
> 
> 
> 




Re: [Goanet]RE: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-23 Thread Mario Goveia
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Finally, a bottom line kind of guy.  God be praised!

Rene, my suggestion is to just oppose it on moral and
religious grounds, whenever and wherever it rears it's
ugly head.  I remember infuriating my Grandmother when
I was a teenager when I told her she had to go to
confession every time she spoke disparagingly about
someone based on their caste.  Drove her bonkers at
first, but she eventually got the point.

I have friends and relatives, Hindus and Catholics,
who have married the most wonderful people outside
their supposed castes and others who have been treated
like crap by their families, some even disinherited,
so I take this issue very seriously.


--- rene barreto <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

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> reflect respect to others  #
>
##
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Writing or talking does not help eliminate CASTE ,
> action does.
> 
> Do WE have any suggestions as to how this CASTE
> problem can 
> be addressed ?  If so please share them with us on
> this Goan Forum. 
> 
> 
> LETS begin TODAY.  
> 
> rene 
> 
> 
> - Original Message - 
> From: "Mario Goveia" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2004 3:19 AM
> Subject: Re: [Goanet]RE: Questions about Hindu
> caste?
> 
> > 
> > Mervyn,
> > Maybe you are used to talking to yourself. The
> rest
> > of us need to know what the heck you are talking
> > about.
> > 
> > Mervyn Lobo <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> 
> > 
> > Mario Goveia wrote: 
> > > Cip was saying that someone who is no longer a
> > > Hindu is probably not the best person to opine
> on
> > > this regiously based issue.
> > > 
> > > As the Hispanics, say, "Comprende?"
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Mario,
> > You either live in a fantasy world or have
> problems
> > comprehending simple sentences.
> > Mervyn2.0
>  
> 
> 




Re: [Goanet]RE: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-23 Thread Tim de Mello
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Cornel:
An excellent post on Hinduism.
Although a Catholic by religion, and having never lived in India even though 
I was born there (my mother travelled from Kenya to give birth because of 
the primitive conditions then obtaining in Kenya), I still feel close to the 
cultural Hindu way of life.

However, you say:
"I think it would be possible to be brought up a Catholic and be one 
culturally without continuing to accept that there is a God."

I do not agree with you here. To me it is an anachronism - and I doubt if 
you will find much support for that concept.

Tim de Mello
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
CANADA



Re: [Goanet]Re: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-23 Thread Mario Goveia
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Frederick,
Thanks for the sermon, similar to what we hear every
Sunday.  However, what do you think specifically about
castes among Catholics and the effects in today's
society.

"Frederick Noronha (FN)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
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It's very easy to poke fun about the beliefs of
*others* and to advice 
*them* on how *they* should be changing.

This is what the holier-than-thou far-Right Hindutva
elements have been 
doing with the minorities in India. (Muslims should
treat their women 
better; they need to reform their religion; Christians
should treat other 
religions as equals -- never mind if that means giving
up monotheism.)

This is also what some Goanetters have been doing,
preaching to those who 
come from a different religious background and happen
to be on Goanet.

We tend to see the world from our own perspectives. To
us, *everything* 
that *we* do looks right and correct. Conversely, the
faith, belief and 
practice of others looks wonky and upside down.

What was it that the Bible was saying about the speck
and/or log in one's 
own eye? Instead of preaching to others, let's start
by criticising and 
reforming ourselves. Our own religions, cultures,
belief-systems could do 
with a lot of mending. Reform, like charity, best
begins at home.

FN

Frederick Noronha (FN) Nr Convent Saligao 403511
GoaIndia
Freelance Journalist P: 832-2409490 M: 9822122436
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[Goanet]RE: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-23 Thread Tim de Mello
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"rene barreto" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> asked:
Do WE have any suggestions as to how this CASTE problem can be addressed ?

Answer:
E D U C A T I O N
Tim de Mello
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
CANADA



Re: [Goanet]RE: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-23 Thread cornel
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Mario,
Yes one can be a Hindu and not believe in God. I believed this to be so, but
nevertheless, consulted three academics on the telephone who felt they were
Hindu by identity and culture even though dismissive of caste and God. I had
also read about this issue previously in books on Hinduism, where
invariably, Hinduism was described as a way of life  more so than a
religion, notwithstanding a plethora of Gods rather than just one. I also
claim that a non believer in God is perfectly able to write about religious
issues, often, more insightfully, as they are no longer encumbered by a
faith in God. Indeed, some excellent books on religion have been written by
non believers in God or lapsed believers for that matter, including former
priests and nuns and there are hell of a lot of such non believers in the
world today.

Similarly, I think it would be possible to be brought up a Catholic and be
one culturally without continuing to accept that there is a God. I am
tentative about this specific point but I am sure other better informed
Goanetters could throw more light on this issue.
Minimally, Mario, you were wrong on at least one aspect of your reply to my
genuine (non feigned) query. The bigger question now is whether you can
accept that you were wrong?
Cornel
- Original Message - 
From: "Mario Goveia"  Can you call yourself a Hindu if you don't believe in
> God?  Can you call yourself a Catholic if you don't
> believe in God?  No, you can't.





Re: [Goanet]RE: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-23 Thread rene barreto
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Writing or talking does not help eliminate CASTE , action does.

Do WE have any suggestions as to how this CASTE problem can 
be addressed ?  If so please share them with us on this Goan Forum. 


LETS begin TODAY.  

rene 


- Original Message - 
From: "Mario Goveia" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2004 3:19 AM
Subject: Re: [Goanet]RE: Questions about Hindu caste?

> 
> Mervyn,
> Maybe you are used to talking to yourself. The rest
> of us need to know what the heck you are talking
> about.
> 
> Mervyn Lobo <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> 
> Mario Goveia wrote: 
> > Cip was saying that someone who is no longer a
> > Hindu is probably not the best person to opine on
> > this regiously based issue.
> > 
> > As the Hispanics, say, "Comprende?"
> 
> 
> 
> Mario,
> You either live in a fantasy world or have problems
> comprehending simple sentences.
> Mervyn2.0
 



[Goanet]Re: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-23 Thread Frederick Noronha (FN)
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It's very easy to poke fun about the beliefs of *others* and to advice 
*them* on how *they* should be changing.

This is what the holier-than-thou far-Right Hindutva elements have been 
doing with the minorities in India. (Muslims should treat their women 
better; they need to reform their religion; Christians should treat other 
religions as equals -- never mind if that means giving up monotheism.)

This is also what some Goanetters have been doing, preaching to those who 
come from a different religious background and happen to be on Goanet.

We tend to see the world from our own perspectives. To us, *everything* 
that *we* do looks right and correct. Conversely, the faith, belief and 
practice of others looks wonky and upside down.

What was it that the Bible was saying about the speck and/or log in one's 
own eye? Instead of preaching to others, let's start by criticising and 
reforming ourselves. Our own religions, cultures, belief-systems could do 
with a lot of mending. Reform, like charity, best begins at home.

FN

Frederick Noronha (FN)Nr Convent Saligao 403511 GoaIndia
Freelance Journalist  P: 832-2409490 M: 9822122436
http://www.livejournal.com/users/goalinks http://fn.swiki.net
http://www.ryze.com/go/fredericknoronha   http://fn-floss.notlong.com

Difficulties to send email across? Write to fredericknoronha at vsnl.net

  Please avoid sending me Word or PowerPoint attachments
  See http://www.fsf.org/philosophy/no-word-attachments.html


Re: [Goanet]RE: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-22 Thread Mario Goveia
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Tim,
A Goan Catholic has to be totally deaf, dumb and blind
to not be able to see all the misery that the claim to
be of a certain caste has caused in the community.  I
have seen it among Hindus as well.

If it hasn't happened to you, it has happened to
someone you know, and it is a despicable form of
discrimination.


--- Tim de Mello <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

>
##
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> [EMAIL PROTECTED]  #   
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>
##
> 
> Mario Goveia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> said:
> 
> "Except for those Catholics who still cling to the
> ridiculous fantasy that 
> they are still Brahmins,
> Chaddos etc. and cause endless heartache for those
> who have married outside 
> their "caste" or want to."
> 
> 
> 
> Somewhere in that statement, I guess, "fantasy" ends
> and reality begins  . . 
> . to cause "endless heartache"?
> 
> 
> 
> Tim de Mello
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> CANADA
> 
> 
> 
> 




Re: [Goanet]RE: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-22 Thread Mario Goveia
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Cip,
I don't know about you, but I, as a Catholic, have
never had a caste, so what am I supposed to denounce? 
The last person in my family that had a caste was the
Hindu ancestor that converted to Christianity
generations ago, and he supposedly denounced his caste
when he converted.

Isn't it up to those Hindus and Catholics who have
made their family members and others miserable on the
basis of caste the ones who need to denounce their
castes?

--- Cip Fernandes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

>
##
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>
##
> 
> Mervyn,
> 
> It appears that Dr. Santosh Helekar is a Hindu not
> by conviction but by
> birth, inheriting so-called Saraswat Brahmin caste,
> which is very close to
> his heart.  There is no doubt that Dr. Santosh
> Helekar is the most
> intelligent liberal Hindu (by birth only) among
> Goanetters.
> 
> We all also know that he does NOT believe in God and
> there is no dispute
> about this. However, he believes in his inherited
> so-called Saraswat Brahmin
> caste and he is holding tight to it.
> 
> Now, as he is the most intelligent liberal Hindu (by
> birth only) Goanetter
> why is he reluctant to denounce publicly his
> so-called inherited Saraswat
> Brahmin caste on Goanet?
> 
> Or is it very difficult for his mind and intellect
> to overcome his heart,
> the love for his inherited caste?
> 
> Or is it Dr. Santosh Helekar's BELIEF never to give
> away his inherited
> caste?  If so, why is he holding that BELIEF to his
> heart?
> 
> Sachin Phadte,
> I am sure that Sachin Phadte is waiting passionately
> to denounce publicly
> his caste on Goanet as well.  We know that you are
> waiting for the most
> intelligent liberal Hindu (by birth only) Goanetter
> Dr. Santosh Helekar to
> start.  Please have little patience, perhaps, few
> more days.  Of course, if
> you want, you may go ahead and do it before Santosh.
>  No one stops you.
> 
> Mario Goveia,
> It seems that you are ready to denounce publicly
> your caste right now but
> try to be fair to our Hindu Goanetters.  After all,
> caste system belongs to
> Hindus.
> 
> Radhakrishnan Nair,
> Radhakrishnan Nair's interest in astrology will help
> us at this time to
> predict which Goanetter will be the first to
> denounce publicly his caste on
> Goanet?
> 
> Also, it will be nice to know whether the heaven
> will fall after the
> denouncement.
> 
> Om Shanti!  Shanti!!  Shanti!!!
> 
> Cip
> 
> -Original Message-
> Mervyn Lobo wrote on 22 November 2004 00:31
> 
> Cip,
> I think Dr. Santosh Helekar has made it perfectly
> clear, over the past ten years, that he does not
> believe in God.
> 
> As such, I don't think he would qualify as a "Hindu
> Goanetter."
> 
> Mervyn2.0
> 
> -Original Message-
> Santosh Helekar wrote on 22 November 2004 03:34
> 
> Merwyn is right. I am not a Hindu by conviction -
> only
> by birth. If you don't believe me, please go through
> the Goanet archives and find out for yourself.
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Santosh
> 
> 
> 




Re: [Goanet]RE: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-22 Thread Mario Goveia
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Mervyn,
Maybe you are used to talking to yourself.  The rest
of us need to know what the heck you are talking
about.

Mervyn Lobo <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
##
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Mario Goveia wrote: 
> Cip was saying that someone who is no longer a
> Hindu is probably not the best person to opine on
> this regiously based issue.
> 
> As the Hispanics, say, "Comprende?"



Mario,
You either live in a fantasy world or have problems
comprehending simple sentences.
Mervyn2.0







__

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[Goanet]RE: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-22 Thread Cip Fernandes
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Mervyn,

It appears that Dr. Santosh Helekar is a Hindu not by conviction but by
birth, inheriting so-called Saraswat Brahmin caste, which is very close to
his heart.  There is no doubt that Dr. Santosh Helekar is the most
intelligent liberal Hindu (by birth only) among Goanetters.

We all also know that he does NOT believe in God and there is no dispute
about this. However, he believes in his inherited so-called Saraswat Brahmin
caste and he is holding tight to it.

Now, as he is the most intelligent liberal Hindu (by birth only) Goanetter
why is he reluctant to denounce publicly his so-called inherited Saraswat
Brahmin caste on Goanet?

Or is it very difficult for his mind and intellect to overcome his heart,
the love for his inherited caste?

Or is it Dr. Santosh Helekar's BELIEF never to give away his inherited
caste?  If so, why is he holding that BELIEF to his heart?

Sachin Phadte,
I am sure that Sachin Phadte is waiting passionately to denounce publicly
his caste on Goanet as well.  We know that you are waiting for the most
intelligent liberal Hindu (by birth only) Goanetter Dr. Santosh Helekar to
start.  Please have little patience, perhaps, few more days.  Of course, if
you want, you may go ahead and do it before Santosh.  No one stops you.

Mario Goveia,
It seems that you are ready to denounce publicly your caste right now but
try to be fair to our Hindu Goanetters.  After all, caste system belongs to
Hindus.

Radhakrishnan Nair,
Radhakrishnan Nair's interest in astrology will help us at this time to
predict which Goanetter will be the first to denounce publicly his caste on
Goanet?

Also, it will be nice to know whether the heaven will fall after the
denouncement.

Om Shanti!  Shanti!!  Shanti!!!

Cip

-Original Message-
Mervyn Lobo wrote on 22 November 2004 00:31

Cip,
I think Dr. Santosh Helekar has made it perfectly
clear, over the past ten years, that he does not
believe in God.

As such, I don't think he would qualify as a "Hindu
Goanetter."

Mervyn2.0

-Original Message-
Santosh Helekar wrote on 22 November 2004 03:34

Merwyn is right. I am not a Hindu by conviction - only
by birth. If you don't believe me, please go through
the Goanet archives and find out for yourself.

Cheers,

Santosh




Re: [Goanet]RE: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-22 Thread Mervyn Lobo
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Mario Goveia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: 
> Cip was saying that someone who is no longer a
> Hindu is probably not the best person to opine on
> this regiously based issue.
> 
> As the Hispanics, say, "Comprende?"



Mario,
You either live in a fantasy world or have problems
comprehending simple sentences.
Mervyn2.0







__ 
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[Goanet]RE: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-22 Thread Tim de Mello
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Mario Goveia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> said:
"Except for those Catholics who still cling to the ridiculous fantasy that 
they are still Brahmins,
Chaddos etc. and cause endless heartache for those who have married outside 
their "caste" or want to."


Somewhere in that statement, I guess, "fantasy" ends and reality begins  . . 
. to cause "endless heartache"?


Tim de Mello
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
CANADA



Re: [Goanet]RE: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-22 Thread Mario Goveia
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Cornel,
Let me help you with your perpetual confusion, which
I'm guessing is sometimes feigned.  The topic was
caste.  Caste is part of the Hindu religion, right? 
Except for those Catholics who still cling to the
ridiculous fantasy that they are still Brahmins,
Chaddos etc. and cause endless heartache for those who
have married outside their "caste" or want to.

Can you call yourself a Hindu if you don't believe in
God?  Can you call yourself a Catholic if you don't
believe in God?  No, you can't.  There are other words
to describe such individuals, like atheist, agnostic
etc.  Cip was saying that someone who is no longer a
Hindu is probably not the best person to opine on this
regiously based issue.

As the Hispanics, say, "Comprende?"


--- cornel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

>
##
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> http://www.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet/#  
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>
##
> 
> I really am confused with the content of the posts
> below.  What exactly does
> Mervyn 2 or (is it?) Cip mean that Santosh cannot be
> a Hindu Goanetter
> because he does not believe in God? If the truth be
> known, there are
> millions who do not believe in God, especially, the
> biblical version of
> Him/Her.
> Cornel
> > Cip Fernandes   wrote:
> > > It appears that among all our Hindu Goanetters
> that
> > > Mr. Sachin Phadte and Dr Santosh Helekar are the
> > > two most intelligent liberal Hindus who are more
> > > than capable to denounce publicly their caste
> system on Goanet among
> others.
> > Cip,
> > I think Dr. Santosh Helekar has made it perfectly
> clear, over the past ten
> years, that he does not believe in God.
> > As such, I don't think he would qualify as a
> "Hindu Goanetter."
> > Mervyn2.0
> 
> 
> 
> 




Re: [Goanet]RE: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-22 Thread cornel
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I really am confused with the content of the posts below.  What exactly does
Mervyn 2 or (is it?) Cip mean that Santosh cannot be a Hindu Goanetter
because he does not believe in God? If the truth be known, there are
millions who do not believe in God, especially, the biblical version of
Him/Her.
Cornel
> Cip Fernandes   wrote:
> > It appears that among all our Hindu Goanetters that
> > Mr. Sachin Phadte and Dr Santosh Helekar are the
> > two most intelligent liberal Hindus who are more
> > than capable to denounce publicly their caste system on Goanet among
others.
> Cip,
> I think Dr. Santosh Helekar has made it perfectly clear, over the past ten
years, that he does not believe in God.
> As such, I don't think he would qualify as a "Hindu Goanetter."
> Mervyn2.0





RE: [Goanet]RE: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-21 Thread Mervyn Lobo
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Cip Fernandes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: 
> It appears that among all our Hindu Goanetters that
> Mr. Sachin Phadte and Dr Santosh Helekar are the 
> two most intelligent liberal Hindus who are more
> than capable to denounce publicly their caste system
> on Goanet among others.


Cip,
I think Dr. Santosh Helekar has made it perfectly
clear, over the past ten years, that he does not
believe in God.

As such, I don't think he would qualify as a "Hindu
Goanetter."

Mervyn2.0



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RE: [Goanet]RE: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-21 Thread Cip Fernandes
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It appears that among all our Hindu Goanetters that Mr. Sachin Phadte and Dr
Santosh Helekar are the two most intelligent liberal Hindus who are more
than capable to denounce publicly their caste system on Goanet among others.

Someone has to start for others to follow.  In case, if you two cannot do so
then please let Goanetters know what stops you two to do so?

Goanetters, these are NOT just theories, it is happening on Goanet.

May I request all Goanetters to join me sending best wishes to our two most
intelligent liberal Hindus Goanetters in their Liberation.

Om Shanti!  Shanti!!  Shanti!!!

Cip Fernandes


-Original Message-
Sachin Phadte wrote on 18 November 2004 07:23

 And that is why I asked Santosh whether his statement about the intelligent
liberal Hindu
not backing the public denunciations with private actions. smacks of
hypocrisy.

Unless or until the intelligent liberal Hindu makes the necessary sincere
efforts, they will allow the politicians to use the caste system for their
own self-serving ends.

Sachin Phadte.

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Re: [Goanet]Re: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-21 Thread Mario Goveia
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Thanks, Helga.  Antonio Mascarenhas has also provided
a detailed thesis that I am in the process of
studying.

Regardless of the history, I find the continuation of
the caste system among Catholics, so many decades
after conversion, to be disgusting and abhorrent.  The
Hindus can speak for themselves, but their culture
invented the caste system and Christianity officially
has no such segmentation.  I know several very fine
individuals, Hindus as well as Catholics, who have
suffered untold psychological abuse and heartbreak by
their own families when they either married or wanted
to marry "outside their caste".


--- Helga do Rosario Gomes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

>
##
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>
##
> 
> 
> Mario,
> Check the October 2004 archives - you missed a long
> and heated discussion on
> castes with excellent and analytic postings by Fred,
> Alito Siqueira and
> Basilio Monteiro.
> -Helga
> 
> 
> >
> > I am surprised that no Goan Catholics who live in
> > India have commented on this issue so I am
> repeating
> > my original posting. I would seriously like to get
> > some informed opinions from people who may have
> some
> > insights or opinions on this festering atrocity
> among
> > Indian Catholics that has caused so much
> heartbreak
> > over the years.
> 
> 
> 




RE: [Goanet]RE: Questions about Hindu caste

2004-11-21 Thread Cip Fernandes
##
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I do not understand why Radhakrishnan Nair has no choice to change his name?

You may change to Radhakrishnan N Naik

Or Radhakrishnan N Naique

By changing your surname, your name may appear to be native Goan, perhaps,
Saraswat native Hindu Goan.

The heaven won't fall!

Good Luck!


Cip

-Original Message-
Radhakrishnan Nair wrote on 21 November 2004 14:56
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]

Nothing! The heaven won't fall! In fact, such things are happening in
several parts of the country. Inter-caste marriages among the Hindus are no
longer a novelty.

It's only the most obscurantist and ignorant among the Hindus who cling to
their caste hangovers today. In fact, my own observation is that those who
have nothing else to flaunt, flaunt their castes!

I would have done away with my surname if I had a choice.

Cheers, RKN

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Re: [Goanet]RE: Questions about Hindu caste

2004-11-21 Thread Mario Goveia
##
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Mr. Radhakrishnan Nair, your heart is in the right
place.  I suggest you keep your name, but show the
people in your community by word and example that,
regardless of how we got to this point, it is time to
change what is clearly wrong and to move on.

While change is on the way, it is taking place far too
slowly.  Just read the matrimonial columns in any
Indian newspaper anywhere in the world and you will
see what I mean.

People like you need to speak up for those who choose
to marry outside their castes because, as you know,
this can lead to endless trauma and heartbreak,
regardless how accomplished and good the two
individuals may be.

--- Radhakrishnan Nair <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

##
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> [EMAIL PROTECTED]  #   
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> reflect respect to others  #
>
##
> 
> (Dr Gilbert Lawrence asks: What would happen if an
> intelligent liberal upper 
> caste Hindu (and family) walked into a temple with a
> lower caste (and his 
> family)? What would happen if a lower caste Hindu
> (and his family) took a 
> liberal, intelligent upper caste Hindu (and family)
> into their temple and 
> then had a meal with them?)
> 
> Nothing! The heaven won't fall! In fact, such things
> are happening in 
> several parts of the country. Inter-caste marriages
> among the Hindus are no 
> longer a novelty.
> 
> It's only the most obscurantist and ignorant among
> the Hindus who cling to 
> their caste hangovers today. In fact, my own
> observation is that those who 
> have nothing else to flaunt, flaunt their castes!
> 
> I would have done away with my surname if I had a
> choice.
> 
> Cheers, RKN
> 
>
_
> Life on the fast track! Get hooked to it! 
> http://server1.msn.co.in/sp04/tataracing/  Meet the
> champs!
> 
> 
> 




[Goanet]RE: Questions about Hindu caste

2004-11-21 Thread Radhakrishnan Nair
##
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(Dr Gilbert Lawrence asks: What would happen if an intelligent liberal upper 
caste Hindu (and family) walked into a temple with a lower caste (and his 
family)? What would happen if a lower caste Hindu (and his family) took a 
liberal, intelligent upper caste Hindu (and family) into their temple and 
then had a meal with them?)

Nothing! The heaven won't fall! In fact, such things are happening in 
several parts of the country. Inter-caste marriages among the Hindus are no 
longer a novelty.

It's only the most obscurantist and ignorant among the Hindus who cling to 
their caste hangovers today. In fact, my own observation is that those who 
have nothing else to flaunt, flaunt their castes!

I would have done away with my surname if I had a choice.
Cheers, RKN
_
Life on the fast track! Get hooked to it! 
http://server1.msn.co.in/sp04/tataracing/  Meet the champs!




[Goanet]Re: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-21 Thread Bosco D'Mello
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>From the Toronto Star - Nov 20/04.


Smashing Hindu myths

Richmond Hill's Canadian Museum of Hindu Civilization tries to dispel
misconceptions about faith Wall of Peace stresses belief that all religions lead
to God and no one way is right, writes Ron Csillag

To that end, the museum attempts to dispel what Doobay calls the most stubborn
misconceptions about Hinduism: that it is polytheistic and that its adherents
worship idols.

Also explained are Hindu terms that have embedded themselves in Western culture:
yoga, karma, guru, and mantra, accompanied by assertions that the caste system
is not part of classical Hinduism.

Displayed are large colour photographs of non-Hindu houses of worship in India,
including the famous Cochin Synagogue and the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa.

Read the entire article at:

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&call_pageid=971358637177&c=Article&cid=1100731811346


---
Goanet - http://www.goanet.org - Goa's premier mailing list is 10 years old



Re: [Goanet]Re: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-20 Thread Helga do Rosario Gomes
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Mario,
Check the October 2004 archives - you missed a long and heated discussion on
castes with excellent and analytic postings by Fred, Alito Siqueira and
Basilio Monteiro.
-Helga


>
> I am surprised that no Goan Catholics who live in
> India have commented on this issue so I am repeating
> my original posting. I would seriously like to get
> some informed opinions from people who may have some
> insights or opinions on this festering atrocity among
> Indian Catholics that has caused so much heartbreak
> over the years.




Re: [Goanet]Re: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-20 Thread Mario Goveia
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Did you say that only Zoaroastrians have no castes? 
Do Muslims have "castes"?  Christianity does not have
castes, except among groups that converted from
Hinduism at some point in history, like Keralites,
Mangaloreans and Goans.  Am I missing something?
 
I am surprised that no Goan Catholics who live in
India have commented on this issue so I am repeating
my original posting.  I would seriously like to get
some informed opinions from people who may have some
insights or opinions on this festering atrocity among
Indian Catholics that has caused so much heartbreak
over the years.
 
"Gilbert asked about how liberal Hindus deal with
caste system, and Sachin responded very candidly.
 
However, has anyone discussed the dirty little secret
among many "orthodox" Goan Catholics and how the caste
system, which they were supposed to have gotten away
from when their ancestors became Catholics decades or
even centuries ago, still continues to fester at or
just below the surface, often bursting out into the
open in ugly family disputes mostly having to do with
marriage partners?
 
I find this a disgusting and embarrassing practice in
the Catholic community that has caused havoc and
heartbreak among many families and continues to do so
today, and it's not restricted to the Goan community,
but exists among Mangalorean Catholics and Kerala
Catholics as well, with separate churches and parishes
for "dalits" in Kerala.  Talk about Pharisees!"


halur rasho <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

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Caste is the original indian sin. Every indian
religion, with the exception of Zorastrianism has it.
More democracy and prosperity is the only real cure
and it will take centuries.

--- Mario Goveia wrote:

> Gilbert asked about how liberal Hindus deal with
caste system, and Sachin 
> responded very candidly.







[Goanet]Re: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-20 Thread halur rasho
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Caste is the original indian sin. Every indian
religion, with the exception of Zorastrianism has it.
More democracy and prosperity is the only real cure
and it will take centuries.

--- Mario Goveia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

> Gilbert asked about how liberal Hindus deal with caste system, and Sachin 
> responded very candidly.



[Goanet]Re: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-19 Thread Mario Goveia
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Gilbert asked about how liberal Hindus deal with caste system, and Sachin 
responded very candidly.
 
However, has anyone discussed the dirty little secret among many "orthodox" 
Goan Catholics and how the caste system, which they were supposed to have 
gotten away from when their ancestors became Catholics decades or even 
centuries ago, still continues to fester at or just below the surface, often 
bursting out into the open in ugly family disputes mostly having to do with 
marriage partners?
 
I find this a disgusting and embarrassing practice in the Catholic community 
that has caused havoc and heartbreak among many families and continues to do 
so today, and it's not restricted to the Goan community, but exists among 
Mangalorean Catholics and Kerala Catholics as well, with separate churches and 
parishes for "dalits" in Kerala.  Talk about Pharisees!



[Goanet]RE: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-18 Thread Sachin Phadte
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The questions that Gilbert Lawrence raises, namely:
1. Why does the 'below eluded' hypocrisy exist or need to exist?
2. What are the factors that hold back 'intelligent liberal' Hindus from 
putting into practice their convictions and principles?
3. If the 'intelligent liberal' Hindus do not provide the leadership with 
actions / deeds, then who will?
4. The final question from the above! If not now ... then when?

have been something that has been bothering me for some time. It seems to me 
that there is a lack of social leadership in our society, and that is why 
many of the problems (like caste) are allowed to fester.

I am afraid I do not have the necessary solutions myself.  Of course, this 
response of mine may appear to be a way of getting away from doing what 
little I can do.  What I think is not happening is that while the  
intelligent liberal Hindu write lots of articles, etc., on the problem, they 
do not seem to involve themselves at the grass-root level.  And that is why 
I asked Santosh whether his statement about the intelligent liberal Hindu 
not backing the public denunciations with private actions. smacks of 
hypocrisy.

Unless or until the intelligent liberal Hindu makes the necessary sincere 
efforts, they will allow the politicians to use the caste system for their 
own self-serving ends.

Sachin Phadte.
_
Life on the fast track! Get hooked to it! 
http://server1.msn.co.in/sp04/tataracing/  Meet the champs!




[Goanet]RE: Questions about Hindu caste?

2004-11-17 Thread Gilbert Lawrence
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Hi Santosh and Sachin:
These are honest / sincere inquiring questions. Goanet is aimed to
stimulate collegial dialogue and mutual education so that we all may
learn from each other. Others please participate in these answers, as
there will be many perspectives.

Why does the 'below eluded' hypocrisy exist or need to exist? 

What are the factors that hold back 'intelligent liberal' Hindus from
putting into practice their convictions and principles?

If the 'intelligent liberal' Hindus do not provide the leadership with
actions / deeds, then who will?

The final question from the above! If not now ... then when?

Look forward to the responses and Thanks in anticipation, GL

Santosh responds:
Yes on both counts!

Sachin Phadte:
Would Santosh agree with me if I say that Indian liberalism has had more

than enough opportunity to eliminate the caste system?  Would he agree
with 
me that if his statement about not backing the public denunciations
with 
private actions smacks of hypocrisy?