First of all, I'm a ma'am.
Secondly, introspect what? I've examined the issue, even studied Hinduism briefly - considered becoming a Hindu. You presume I haven't examined this issue just because I hold a different opinion than you? That's rather closed minded.
" You seem to think that only you have the right to criticize other religions in a highly abrasive and deprecating manner, while turning a blind eye to your own side's fallacies ?"
Please reference the post where I ever said that.
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" Isnt it a fact that the southern baptists said they had religious approval for propagating and sustaining the sickening and highly barbaric institution of slavery ??"<
I know that there were some who attempted to use the bible to support legal slavery, and there were those who used the bible to show that slavery is wrong.
"Isnt it a fact that they split from the mainline Baptist church, solely in order to sustain this inhuman and highly revolting practice of dehumanizing black people ? Isnt it a fact that they didnt even apologize for their not-too-insignificant role in sustaining this evil abominance till early 1990s ???? Isnt it a fact that racial segregation was sanctioned by many white southern churches, even while Rev. King was fighting against it ?
Yep. Slavery was immoral. Doesn't change the fact that the caste system is immoral. Surely you aren't trying to say that two wrongs make a right, are you?
"Just look at American society today, people still are very segregated and usually people of each race stick to one another.. compared to India, where Hindus, Christians and Sikhs get along very well, atleast in Urban society, in US, its hard to find whites, blacks and hispanics get along that well along the same lines even in big cities."
I know for a fact they have their incidents, just as we do here. Please don't be so disingenous as to try to paint India with a utopian brush.
"BTW, why is it that wherever there was/is apartheid and racial segregation, there is Christianity... is that a mere coincidence sir ?
Again, it's ma'am.
And please post where I ever said it was 'coincidence'.
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Sorry about that.
You presume I haven't examined this issue just because I hold a different opinion than you?
You implied overtly that Hinduism "sanctioned" dowry practice and caste discrimination. Which couldnt be further from truth. Women were (and still are) regarded very highly in Hindu culture. And caste system is a thing of the past, atleast in urban countryside.
I know that there were some who attempted to use the bible to support legal slavery, and there were those who used the bible to show that slavery is wrong.
The caste system is intrinsic in Hinduism. However, caste discrimination isnt. If people were treated as sub-human all along, how would the system sustained itself for over 3000 years ? It took less than 300 years for slavery to collapse in US, 400 years for serfdom in Russia and even less time in China.. its hard for any discriminatory system to sustain itself, if it were extremely cruel (like the caste system you imagine).
Yep. Slavery was immoral. Doesn't change the fact that the caste system is immoral. Surely you aren't trying to say that two wrongs make a right, are you?
Ma'am, the Indian constitution itself was written by an "untouchable" (lower caste person). And he made sure that caste system in Hindu society was outlawed. Why did upper caste Hindus, who had power decided to do this if they wanted to sustain that system ?
On the contrary, such a situation wasnt possible in southern US, with its Jim Crow laws till 70s.. If you look at America's first full length motion picutre ("Birth of a nation" by D.W.Griffith), the inherent fear of a black person "ruling over them" and "making laws for them" is very self-evident.
Am sure, they could never accept a black guy writing the American constitution.. it just doesnt work that way here.
Its easier to get away in US, if you use the N-word than it is to get away by calling a lower caste person anything in India.. just for referring to their caste, you could be jailed and a bad name (as a casteist) would linger on you for a very looong time.
Please don't be so disingenous as to try to paint India with a utopian brush.
I am just citing some positive facts about Hindu culture and India.. yes, there are various negative episodes too, like dowry.. however, I merely want to impress up on you that blaming Hinduism for all social ills that India is currently afflicted with, is not correct.