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To: Polycarp IV

Thanks for the ping - too bad these Hindus haven't studied and followed the teachings in their Bhagavad Gitas. Note these verses condemning the worship of demigods:

Chapter 7 Text 20-23:
Those whose minds are distorted by material desires surrender unto demigods and follow the particular rules and regulations of worship according to their own natures.

I am in everyone's heart as the Supersoul. As soon as one desires to worship the demigods, I make his faith steady so that he can devote himself to some particular deity.

Endowed with such a faith, he seeks favors of a particular demigod and obtains his desires. But in actuality these benefits are bestowed by Me alone.

Men of small intelligence worship the demigods, and their fruits are limited and temporary. Those who worship the demigods go to the planets of the demigods, but My devotees [bhaktas = worshippers] ultimately reach My supreme planet [beyond the material universe; the Kingdom of God].


35 posted on 06/10/2004 6:33:56 PM PDT by little jeremiah (Take Back The Rainbow! Take back the word "GAY"!)
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To: little jeremiah

To explain further, the demigods mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita are the "gods" that many Hindus are seen to worship, and these "gods" *might* be compared to angels in Christian understanding. (I don't want to disrespect angels, so this may not be an accurate assumption.)

The various demigods are empowered or deputed agents of God, whose duty it is to maintain the funtioning of the material world, and they therefore have majestic powers to control every aspect of the functioning of this universe. They consider them selves as humble servants of God. Any energy or potency they have is directly coming from God, just as any energy or power anyone has is coming from God; we do not create our own bodies or mental or physical strength - everything is a gift from God.

That said, the demigods also have a (very long) life span and eventually must die, as must all created beings. Their bodies are made of material elements, as ours are. Worshipping them (as apparently happened at Fatima) is like bribing government officials - it just isn't recommended, and is clearly condemned by God Himself.

Hinduism is in essence monotheistic - but unfortunately many Hindus have lost the essence of their own scriptures and ancient traditions.


37 posted on 06/10/2004 6:43:28 PM PDT by little jeremiah (Take Back The Rainbow! Take back the word "GAY"!)
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