Guest guest Posted September 13, 2001 Report Share Posted September 13, 2001 I tend to agree with Edith Tipple. I did not like the tone of Dr.Shah's first article. Dr Shah forgot that USA is made of immigrants from various faiths and cultures. He took very narrow view to criticize Christianity. I still do not understand why he calls it 'The Inevitable Tragedy'. I am disappointed. Purshottam Ghai plghai Edith Tipple <edtipple Ramakrishna Ramakrishna [sri Ramakrishna] To Dr. Shah Wed, 12 Sep 2001 20:26:47 -0700 Dear Dr. Shah, I copy below two paragraps of your email concerning the terrorist attacks in New York and Pennsylvania of yesterday. I am very disappointed with the tone of superiority. Who are you, who apparently have not lived in the West, to judge the West's claim on religion? How can you take it upon yourself to cite Christianity as no more than a decorative showpiece of Churches and drawing rooms? There is far more to it than you seem to be aware of. It is just such inability to go beyond the surface that finally culminates in fanaticism. There is a very strong foundation of spirituality in this country, beginning with our Native Americans and including the religions of all the immigrants thereafter. Though we may appear only interested in the materialistic, though the worldly " movers and shakers " are in the headlines of the world, there is a very deep core of spirituality in this country, of which we are humble and rarely speak. I don't know who said it but: a silent stream runs deep. Yours sincerely, Edith Tipple > >Come September, and the world is stunned by the ghastly terrorist attack >on the so called 'symbol' of civilized world of free market economy, cut >throat competition, and materialistic masterpiece. The USA is shocked >beyond description, and so is the world. The terrorists had their day; >mission accomplished. Helpless onlookers panicked, and later must have >withdrawn within themselves to ponder over the compulsions of such a >step. Why, why? This must be the beleaguering question they must have >put to themselves, which can never be answered. > >For, we are not yet ready to accept the answer that is beyond the realm >of common concepts of human mind. Religious terrorism and fanaticism >springs from the conceptual belief in certain philosophy. The West has >none, for they have forsaken their claim on religion. Christianity has >become no more than a decorative showpiece in their Churches and drawing >rooms. Science and technology has become their religion, replacing >spiritual contents for sense pleasures alone. The inevitable thus had to >happen. _______________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2001 Report Share Posted September 13, 2001 Edith I liked your response to Dr Shah. Interestingly, the very same questions were asked by Vivekanand in Chicago conference (of course in a reverse way to the West, as to what do they know of Hinduism and India). I don't think Dr Shah has a tone of superiority at all. You think it that way because you process his letter with that Western software in your brain if instead you have a Indian software you will agree with Dr Shah wholeheartedly. Alternatively you could have a 'universal software' which is Advaita and things will be clear. Well. I am living in the West and have travelled much of the globe. It is unfortunate that this 'superior'view is still being practiced by the west. SO much so that when India had a slower economic growth rate. It was called the " Hindu rate of growth " . Even today, Christ is treated as a 'product' that needs to be 'marketed' ( call is already given to Christianise India). When religion is treated as a 'product' your only worry is to grab market share and in the process you have 'corporate religions' wars. This corporatisation of religion is at the root of all problems. The solution is to make religion a 'universal entity'( even a sole propritorship will do!!) instead of a 'corporate entity' and this is what Advaits tells us to do. SO there is no 'arrogance' but 'illumination' instead, in Dr Shah's letter. Milind Edith Tipple [edtipple] Thursday, 13 September 2001 1:27 PM Ramakrishna [sri Ramakrishna] To Dr. Shah Dear Dr. Shah, I copy below two paragraps of your email concerning the terrorist attacks in New York and Pennsylvania of yesterday. I am very disappointed with the tone of superiority. Who are you, who apparently have not lived in the West, to judge the West's claim on religion? How can you take it upon yourself to cite Christianity as no more than a decorative showpiece of Churches and drawing rooms? There is far more to it than you seem to be aware of. It is just such inability to go beyond the surface that finally culminates in fanaticism. There is a very strong foundation of spirituality in this country, beginning with our Native Americans and including the religions of all the immigrants thereafter. Though we may appear only interested in the materialistic, though the worldly " movers and shakers " are in the headlines of the world, there is a very deep core of spirituality in this country, of which we are humble and rarely speak. I don't know who said it but: a silent stream runs deep. Yours sincerely, Edith Tipple > >Come September, and the world is stunned by the ghastly terrorist attack >on the so called 'symbol' of civilized world of free market economy, cut >throat competition, and materialistic masterpiece. The USA is shocked >beyond description, and so is the world. The terrorists had their day; >mission accomplished. Helpless onlookers panicked, and later must have >withdrawn within themselves to ponder over the compulsions of such a >step. Why, why? This must be the beleaguering question they must have >put to themselves, which can never be answered. > >For, we are not yet ready to accept the answer that is beyond the realm >of common concepts of human mind. Religious terrorism and fanaticism >springs from the conceptual belief in certain philosophy. The West has >none, for they have forsaken their claim on religion. Christianity has >become no more than a decorative showpiece in their Churches and drawing >rooms. Science and technology has become their religion, replacing >spiritual contents for sense pleasures alone. The inevitable thus had to >happen. Sri Ramakrishnaye Namah Vivekananda Centre London http://www.vivekananda.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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