RE: Britannica listing on Ramakrishna

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

 

As you all must know by now, Britannica.com has listed "Kali's Child" as the

number one book on Sri Ramakrishna. We have been objecting to this book as

the authoritative doctrine on Thakur by e-mail. I received a response from

Britannica indicating that the process of removing the book from the website

takes months. I called Britannica.com this morning and spoke with a Manager

in the Editorial Department and he very kindly suggested that in order to get

a REAL response, we WRITE (snail mail, remember?) to the President at the

following address. Remember he said to send a letter the old-fashioned way,

hard copy, with an envelope and postage stamp. Here is the address:

 

Britannica.com

310 So. Michigan Avenue

Chicago IL 60604

 

Attention: Mr. Don Yannias, President

 

If you are in agreement with the sentiment expressed here about removal of

this "dimestore novel" from the Ramakrishna page, I urge you to write to the

President to register your objections.

 

Hari Om Shanti!

Jody Hoelle (Premadevi)

 

http://members.aol.com/JodyHolly1/index.html

[Guest guest]

advaitin , JodyHoelle@a... wrote:

> Hi everyone,

>

> As you all must know by now, Britannica.com has listed "Kali's Child" as the

> number one book on Sri Ramakrishna. We have been objecting to this book as

> the authoritative doctrine on Thakur by e-mail. I received a response from

> Britannica indicating that the process of removing the book from the website

> takes months. I called Britannica.com this morning and spoke with a Manager

> in the Editorial Department and he very kindly suggested that in order to get

> a REAL response, we WRITE (snail mail, remember?) to the President at the

> following address. Remember he said to send a letter the old-fashioned way,

> hard copy, with an envelope and postage stamp. Here is the address:

>

> Britannica.com

> 310 So. Michigan Avenue

> Chicago IL 60604

>

> Attention: Mr. Don Yannias, President

>

> If you are in agreement with the sentiment expressed here about removal of

> this "dimestore novel" from the Ramakrishna page, I urge you to write to the

> President to register your objections.

>

> Hari Om Shanti!

> Jody Hoelle (Premadevi)

>

> http://members.aol.com/JodyHolly1/index.html

 

"Kali's Child" is regarded by the world religious studies community

as the definitive psychological study of the life of Ramakrishna.

Your attempts to censor this work are based on your misapprehension

of the life of Ramakrishna as it is presented by the Ramakrishna

Math. That is, you've accepted a life of Ramakrishna that is in

part myth. During his lifetime, Ramakrishna's life swirled in

controversy due to his affection for the boys. Whether or not he

ever stepped over the line, the truth of the matter is that many

in Calcutta society suspected he did.

 

The author of Kali's Child has accepted a position at the Harvard

Divinity School, arguably one of the most prestigious religious

studies programs in the world. His being named to this illustrious

program is due in part to the *very* widespread acceptance "Kali's

Child" has received. Your regarding it as a "dimestore novel" puts

you in direct opposition to the world religious studies community

at large. I would contend that it requires a great degree of

hubris to place oneself in that position.

 

It isn't up to you to protect Thakur, Jody. Don't you think

he can protect himself? Do you believe he is the avatar of the

age? If so, isn't this (the publication and subsequent acceptance

of "Kali's Child") his doing?

 

I understand why people are horrified by "Kali's Child," but an

honest examination of even Nikhilananda's translation of the

Kathamurta raises some questions. If anything, "Kali's Child"

shows us that even avatars are human, and as such are just as

helpless to the whims of Mother as we.

 

--jodyr..