Hinduism+Current+Events+2010

= = Tension Between Muslims and Hindus Begin to Dissolve Source: csmonitor.com

This article is about the tension between Muslims and Hindus and a slum called Ram-Rahim. Even after four decades of bloody battles between Hindus and Muslims in India, they can find peace in the slum Ram-Rahim. The name symbolizes unity in the two religions, Ram who is a Hindu god and Rahim, a name for Allah the Muslim God. In Ram-Rahim Muslims and Hindus pray, eat, and celebrate holidays with each other.

I think what the people in Ram-Rahim are doing is a great thing. This slum could be a great influence on the rest of India where conflict between Hindus and Muslims are still there. Other Muslims and Hindus that want the conflict to stop should encourage others in their area to become more like Ram-Rahim. The Indian government should enforce this type of behavior throughout India.

Hidden Pathway Under Temple Contains "Treasure" Source: The Hindu: Andhra Pradesh News =**Picture Source: The Hindu  The jewel box found under the temple This article is about an underground pathway found below the Srikalahasti temple in Andhra Pradesh, India. Researchers found a big empty jewel box, a sword, a lamp and other antique items in a small room under the temple. Many people have flocked to the Srikalahasti temple to see the "treasure" and to look for more details, although not many are known so far. I think that it is interesting to find a path beneath a temple, especially one with treasure. It seems like finding treasure and an underground pathway would rarely happen anywhere and it happened at a temple which is even more unlikely. I wonder if there is some connection between the items found and the temple. **= =Hindu Sculptures Displayed for Public = purpose of the event is to make the surrounding community more aware of Hinduism/Hindus. = = =  =

[]

=
This article is about Lakshmi Tatma who was born with eight limbs. She is believed to be a reincarnation of the God Vishnu because Vishnu also had additional limbs. Lakshmi, a toddler, is not able to crawl or walk and will have surgery to remove her additional limbs. In my opinion of her being a reincarnation or avatar of Vishnu is unlikely. It is really more of a joke that the news reporters made. It probably was just a birth defect .======

== = = =£16m Hindu temple Opens in the UK=

Go To: [|Article]Source: [|BBC News]
== This article is about the Shree Sanatan Hindu Mandir, a hindu temple recently opened in Wembley (UK). It cost £16m to build! It has been built using ancient ways to build based on hindu writings. 41 marble deities were made in India for this temple. It takes up 2.4 acres and it is 66 ft tall. Spiritual leaders and forms of god from a many other religions are in different carvings. People like Mother Teresa, Dev Ji (a sikh Guru), and Sri Guru Nanak. The temple is promoting a message of one big family. Every morning, prayers will be held at the new temple. It will have special events for things like Diwali.

I think that this is a good thing that a Hindu temple has been opened in the UK because it allows Hindu people living in the UK to be able to practice their faith with other people in a community. Also, I understand that it costed more than 19 million $ (16 million Euros) to build but in the article, it says that a charity raised the money to build the temple. This, partnered with allowing the Hindu community in the UK to practice their faith makes me think that building and opening the temple was a good idea.

= = = = = = =**Hindu-Muslim fight @To Article**= The article is about the Hindu and Muslim fight. The fight is about monothestic and polythestic beilefs. Muslims are angry that Hindus don't believe in the one god Allah. So they try to fight Hindus and convince them that there is only a single god. When Hindus refuse to convert, Muslims attack them. They justify their killings with the Koran. The quote they use is "Slay the infidels wherever ye find them and prepare them for all kind of ambush". I think that the whole fight is pointless and a waste of human beings. The Muslims involved in this fight should know that Hindus aren't going to change their beliefs to please others. Also Hindus should let Muslims build their mosques. Instead of fighting hindus and Muslims should make peace. Plus there should be more people willing to do the right thing in both faiths. Source: hyperhistory.net

To Article

This article is about Christian schools changing some rules in Hindu children's favor. A resolution was passed on May 18th that said the schools had to have no school on a few Hindu holidays, and that girls were allowed to wear bangles and the traditional bindi on their forehead. This rule was passed because of the growing amount of Hindu children in the christian schools.

I think that it's a good thing the rule was passed. The Hindu children shouldn't have had to miss school whenever there was a holiday and get a grade marked down for it. Also, it's a good way for the Christian kids to learn to accept other cultures, because in the real world, not everyone in their communities will be of the same religion. Finally, having some religion in a Hindu child's day might make them more comfortable, and everyone would be more unique and special and different that way. = =

Source: CathNewsIndia
= = =**Sacred indian island is disapearing with rising ocean**= [|Article]Article source: [|www.npr.org]Image source:[|www.mobilegeographics.com]

This article is about the holy Sagar Island that is disapearing into the ocean because of global warming. It is estimated that about 10 square miles have disapeared over that past 40 years, leaving thousands of people homless. However, Sagar Island is also a very holy island, located where the Ganges river meets the sea. Over a hundred thousand people go there every year for religious festivals at one of the hundreds of of temples or shrines.

I think that it is terrible that such a holy place is just disapearing. The goverment should do somthing to stop it, like rebuild the barrier. What would they do if someone blew up the Ka'ba or the Western Wall? Either the goverment does not have enough money to do this or they just don't care about the thousands of people that live on this island and the millions of Hindus' world wide. I also think everyone could help things like this from happening in the futer by reducing emmisions, because it is to late to help Sagar Island now. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =** Akshaya Tritiya **= = =

==** [|To Article] **==

Akshaya Tritiya. Akshaya Tritiaya is one of the few lucky dates in the Hindu calendar. The date of the festival is based on the alignment of the moon, stars and planets. Apparently, because of this, any offerings or work done on this day will bring good luck. This is why many people rush out to marry and buy things, because it is said that it should end well. May 17th also marks the day that Vishnu came to earth as the human being Parasurama.
 * In this article, tens of thousands of people rush to marry on this special day-

I think that it's interesting that so many people flock to do the same things on the same day. Honestly, it's not very practical, though. For the average people, the customers. Even though all transactions and deals made on this day are supposed to last and be lucky, you'd have to pay a whole lot more than usual for average things. However, from a shop owner's point of view, it's probably like Christmas! Everyone would want to buy things, and because it's Akshaya Tritiya, you could run up the prices as high as you liked! It's a very interesting topic with many ways to look at. The article itself was written very well.

Source of article: CNN Source of picture: Google images, [|http://indianweddingphotographytoronto.ca/HinduWeddingPhotographyToronto.jpg]

May 17 2010, Akshaya Tritiya** (Will V's post) Link to Article



On May 17 2010 there was Akshaya Tritiya one of the few lucky days in the Hindu calendar. Akshaya is the day when the stars align and Akshaya Tritiya is supposed to bring a lot of god luck. Every offering and prayer you do on Akshaya Tritiya will go right according to the Hindu's. No bad Karma matters so it is a very good way to start a new life. The date of Akshaya depends on when the stars, moon, and the planets have a special alignment. The day marks when Lord Parasurma (One of Lord Vishnu's avatars) came to earth. On this day Hindu markets are flooded with people buying many things. Hindu's will also often get married, buy a car, buy a house, and buy gold on this day because everything you celebrate will bring good luck and that effect is multiplied. My thoughts on the article was that it was very good. The article explained things well and it wasn't that boring. Also I feel the article was very well written because CNN got there point across, and did so with out being mean or cutting directly to the point. Finally, I feel the article was decent and maybe the best one I've ever read because I didn't fall asleep. The article didn't go on and on about the same thing and it wasn't to short that I didn't get all the info i needed to understand the event. Source of article: CNN.com


 * [[image:26school1.jpg caption="Picture: from website (of people discussing the if Christian schools should follow Hindu tradition)"]] ||
 * Picture: from website (of people discussing the if Christian schools should follow Hindu tradition) ||

CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS FOLLOW HINDU TRADITIONS?** Link to Article
 * (Rachel N's Post)

Recently people have been strongly thinking about Christian schools following Hindu traditions better. Like allowing girls to wear bangles and bindis. They also might give holidays for Hindu festivals. They are considering this because of the number of Hindu’s at Christian schools is growing. My thoughts on this are that I like it. I think that the fact that the Hindu kids might get a chance to “wear” there religion and celebrate is good. Now those kids won’t have to miss school because of there holidays. I also think it is good for the Christian kids in the school because they will have a chance to learn about the Hindu religion.

=**[|Indian Pastor arrested for Offending Hindu Sensitivites]**=

**This article is about a christian Indian man that went into the home of a hindu family and prayed for a woman who was sick. He did not know that they were hindu though and they called the police claiming that he had tried to convert them and he was arrested for trespassing into their home and offending their religion. ** 

I think that it is crazy that he was arrested for this. He was just following his religion and doing what he thought would help the woman heal. The article is pretty unclear on whether he broke in or what but if he did breakin then he should be punished for that. He was also arrested for offending hinduism though. He was just trying to do the right thing. That is not against the law. ==** ] [|Many Marriages On A Lucky Day] **== Sources: CNN World and Google Images

This article by CNN World is about how many Indians raced to get married and also shop on a day that is lucky in the Hindu religion, called Akshaya Tritya. It is one of the very lucky dates in the Hindu calendar. Hindus say that whatever you do on this day will go successfully. It's exact date every year depends on the alighnment of the moon, planets, and stars. I think this article is good because it show some of the wedding traditions of a Hindu family, and also that very often, a ceremony like this is not based on something religious, but instead something astronomical.

A Hindu Wedding

[|Census in India] ==** This article is about the census going on right now in India. India is trying to overcome their caste system,the caste is the class of work that certain people do. There are different "levels" of the caste, from richest to poorest people. You are in the caste that your family is in. On the census form, there is a question of what caste you are in. Indian people find this a very senstive subject and find it personal. **== ==** But some of India's powerful polititians think it will be helpful in voting and goverment fundings,these polititians are of high castes. However most Indians believe that the tradition of the caste system is no longer needed and should go. It still isn't fair in India because people of higher castes, like the Brahmins, dominate journalism and politics. People of lower castes struggle for jobs. I think that India is at a tough time and it might be a struggle to overcome the caste system and treatly others more fairly. But they have overcome so much in history. For example, they now no longer under British rule like they were for a long time. **==


 * [[image:http://img.youtube.com/vi/P078jRs8nkE/0.jpg height="211" caption="This is picture of a house where a lower caste person may live"]] ||
 * This is picture of a house where a lower caste person may live ||

==** [|Hindu Temple Art Could Soon Be Gone]Source: BBC News Picture Source: Google Images: []  This article ** talks about how a Hindu temple in South London with art from the 1920s and 30s has plans to be torn down and turned into a hotel. People have many different opinions on the situation--some say it should stand, others say it should go. The Hindus that go to the temple think that they should have the say in whether they want to turn the temple into a hotel. What do you think? I think that the temple should stand--it's awful to think that people would want to tear down a religious building. Also, the artwork is a piece of history and it shouldn't be taken away because some people will never get the chance to admire it. In addition, the construction crew plans to make a school but in a way the temple is a school that teaches about Hinduism. ==

[|4 Million Dollar Hindu temple opens]

**Article Source: ClarionLedger.com**
Picture Source: Google Images [|https://jspivey.wikispaces.com/file/view/shiva.gif/37032911/shiva.gif]

[[image:jspivey:shiva.gif height="302" caption="shiva.gif"]]
==**This article talks about a very expensive, new, temple being built. It explains that about a hundred years ago in Mississippi there were maybe a handful of families there that were Hindu. Now there is about 1,000 in Mississippi so there is a need for a great new temple. The temple has amazing artwork made by Indian carvers and a 45 foot tall tower at the entrance. In the temple there is worship places for Rama (above), Shiva, and Lord Balaji along with other rooms for demigods and godesses. This new temple will be a great worship place for all Hindus and it is certainly very beautiful.**==

I think this new temple is a very good idea. Though we wouldn't notice it, religious groups are growing everywhere and we need to adapt to that. It being 4 million dollars I'm okay with, as long as this is as beautiful as it's made out to be and no one is going to start whining about their taxes. I would have liked for their to be more gods and godesses to be worshipped there, but I know traditionally there are temples that are donated to only one god or godess so a few is an imrovement considering this is supposed to be a very traditional temple. I also think it's great that this is getting into the paper because you here of amazing places of worship for other religions and the fact that they are making a very nice Hindu temple is really a plus for the whole religion.

By Thomas D'Anieri

==**[|US TV host takes dig at Ganges] **==

**[|My Article]**
This article is about a media commentator who upset a large amount of Hindus by being sarcastic and cheeky about the sacred Ganges river and the Indian health system. The commentator, Glen Beck, was making jokes like "One big river they have there, that sounds like a disease. Come on, it does. I mean if somebody said, I am sorry, you have a really bad case of Ganges." This upset a huge number of Hindus and Americans alike, for the Ganges is sacred to 1 billion Hindu followers around the world. Religion is not to be taken lightly, so Beck's rude comments not only affected the Hindus, but the whole community around the Ganges. He also questioned why their health system cost so much less, and said the name of one of their hospitals - Garja Raja sounded weird. He has not apologized, but his channel said it was his own opinion, in a pathetic excuse to explain his behavior. Beck has been known to say other offensive comments, such as racial ones against Barack Obama. I think this is a typical example of a desperate and rude American trying to get attention by criticizing a culture and religion that is unfamiliar. He probably thought many people would laugh at this comment, but in truth, people are increasingly apt to lash out at someone saying something like that, than to agree with them. I think this is due to all of the cultural awareness and education that is being taught. When I was reading the comments, I noticed an equal amount of Americans were upset at his behavior as were Hindus. I think a quote from a person commenting on the article sums it up. "For your information, you are a fool and you just let the world know that in your own words". With all the media and internet access, something like that will not go unnoticed and the only human he hurt besides the Hindus is himself. I think for someone to make fun of a name or religion that might sound different is immature and should not be voiced on national television.


 * [[image:http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/22/124522-050-CD50E37D.jpg height="212" caption="As you can see, a lot of Hindus gather each day at the Ganges"]] ||
 * As you can see, a lot of Hindus gather each day at the Ganges ||

__Indian Temples Do Brisk Business in Women's Hair__ At many Hindu temples in India there is more than just worship going on. Temples now have men and woman having their heads shaved. The business started in the 1960's and 1970's with few barbers. Now many temples have almost 600 full time barbers. If a person chooses to have their head shaved it is typically because they have been told it will honor the gods. Though where is the hair really going? Unknown to the willing participants their hair is being shaved, and put on the market. After the hair has been shaved it is put into one of five selling categories. The first and most sought after is the "remy." This hair is black and longer than 6 inches. This category can be sold for as much as $160 per kilogram. The categories continue to go down by the length of the hairs, until the final categories. This hair is gray and shorter than 8 inches. This hair will be sold for about 10 cents. Now who buys the used hair? After the hair is shampooed, conditioned, dyed, straightened, dried, or curled it can be sold to almost anywhere in the world. The two top hair buying countries are China and the United States. In the US the hair is used for an extension or weave. This allows hair that may have been bought for $1.50 cost anywhere from $1,500 to $3,00. The hair market in India is growing almost by 30% a year. It will continue to grow while barbers and men clients are being payed in profits. As long as people don't find out the Hindu hair selling could go on for years to come.

This article shows what people anywhere will do for money and style. It also shows tricks that many businesses use to make their product sell-able. I think that it is terrible that people are tricking one another into shaving their heads. The people who are shaving the heads and selling- Hindu or not- know how devoted a Hindu person can be to the gods. I think people willingly shave their heads many times because of their belief in karma. These innocent people think that if they don't shave their hair their live may go down in the future. I also think it is terrible of countries and people to buy the hair knowing where it came from. I think that if people thought of what it would be like to be the person getting their hair shaved for nothing, they would reconsider buying human hair. I know that they also sell horse hair to use as fake hair, and think that people should give that a try if they have to instead. This way people everywhere can keep everything that is rightfully theirs. Temple Sri Venkateswara in Tirupati, India. One of the many temples where people get their heads shaved.

Article source: Womensenews.com Picture Source: religiousportal.com

**[|Hindu and Muslim Violence]** In Ayodhya violence has broke out between Hindus and Muslims. In India many Hindus live, but also Muslims occupy parts of India as does all religions anywhere in the world. These two religions come together in Ayodhya and conflict rises between the two parties. The anger started at the destruction of a mosque. Hindus are to blame but they protest that the land on which the mosque was built was once was the site of the birth place of Rama. A Hindu temple is to be built in place of the mosque. This action angered the Muslims as would anyone react after a holy place is taken from them. In return some Muslims a decade later, {modern day} killed Hindus aboard a train in a firebombing. Since then mobs of each party are going around killing others of the opposite party, as you see in this picture. As more blood is spilled everyday over this conflict the government is trying to help. By moderating mobs and riots and reducing the amount of blood shed. But still Ayodhya is on the verge of a civil war it looks like.

This article shows how still and all ways and always has been fighting between religions. Humans are born to disagree and have their own opinion. This is what is happening in Ayodhya but just in a more extreme way. But I understand disagreement but nothing should have to go into the extreme of killing. But I guess that is just the real world. But maybe our generation can change it, nothing is impossible if we all work together. Maybe we will resolve this conflict and make sure no more arise. This is a good lesson and example for kids around the world. But my I hope that we won't have to solve this conflict because I hope it will be resolved soon.

Sources: article: [|http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,213670,00.html]or time picture: [|http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,213670,00.html]or time = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = == WHAT IS YOUR CASTE? **@http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-as-india-counting-caste,0,3082898.story **== This article is about controversy over a potential Indian Census question, "What is your caste?" Although it may sound a simple and reasonable question, the decision of whether to include it in the census or not has provoked many people to speak out. For example, Joseph D'Scouza feel that this question could provide information that would help dalits, "India's untouchables at the very bottom of the caste system." After all, since 1931 when colonial Britain ruled castes have not been measured. However, others such as Barun Mitra have voiced that "This process of identifying caste with a census is unlikely to help." On the other hand, this article also shows that caste still consumes a role in Indian society by saying that people of the highest caste, called Brahmins, still "dominate everything from politics to journalism." It also reveals to us that studies have shown that Indians of lower-castes face "daily challenges for decent schools, medical care and jobs." And, as D'Scouza says, "You can't hide it and put it under the carpet and say caste is not there."

I think that this article does a good job showing different people's opinions on this topic. My personal opinion is that since castes have not been measure since 1931, 79 years ago, that the "caste question" should be put on India's Census. From what I have heard from the article, the answers to the census question may not exactly help in any way. However, the potential census question would show the amount of dalits in India that are living in poor conditions. Also, this data will show the change in the number of people in each caste. I think that this question could give needed information. Only time will tell if this question will be a India Census question or not.

Article and Image Source: Article: [|http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-as-india-counting-caste,0,3082898.story] = =

= Conflict Over the 2010 Census in India =

[|My Article]
This article about the debate over whether there should be a question about which Caste an Indian citizen is in on the 2010 census in India. People who want that question to be on the Census say that their reasoning is that if the castes of people are known, more help can get to them if they need it. It will also make research and data to be more accurate. Other people are saying however, that as the world progresses, and India progresses, less and less people are paying attention to the castes and the rules that were set about them. Famous Bolywood actor Amitabh Bachchan says that his family has never gone by the caste system and that when a Census worker asks him what his caste is when asked, he will reply "Indian" as he doesn't believe in it and no one in his family does. Another con to asking this question, is the diversity of data that will be received, because, aside from the 4 main caste groups, there are more that 20,000 sub-castes. Beyond that, there are multiple sub-sub castes and so on.

In class, we also had a dicussion about this topic. I'm not sure where I stand though, on whether or not I think that question should be on the Cencus. I think that there are pros and cons to each side, and I can see what one opinion has to say as well as the other. I think that if I had to choose, I would say that the caste question shouldn't be on the Census, because the cons of putting the question on, do seem to out weigh the pros in my opinion. It also is a con that, according to the article, the last time a caste question was put on the Census was 1931, which further proves the idea that India is moving away from the idea of classing people by caste, and is moving on to more modern ways of grouping people, if they are grouped at all.

Image Source: Yahoo News Article Source: Yahoo News


 * [[image:capt.9b7250ce34434c5bae6ced4626a4b910-9227b4a7a6a849d3a3bd899f1ba5e772-0.jpg height="187" caption="A women fills out a Census form"]] ||
 * A women fills out a Census form ||

=** Hindu Groups Demand Recall of Hanuman Plush Toy **=

=
This article about certain Hindu groups demanding the recall of a Hanuman plush toy. Hanuman, a god in Hinduism in the form of a monkey, is the son of the wind god. (See picture below.) Some Hindu groups believe that the toy should be taken away because it could give the impression to children that gods can be controlled and possessed, and should not be respected like they are supposed to be. Many Hindu's are stressing to people that the god should be respected like what it really is, and not "thrown on the ground or used like a pillow." In defense, the company that produced the toy says that the toy is used to connect children to the Hindu culture and to the "millennia of tradition and culture."======

=
I think I agree with the Hindu groups that say the toy should be taken off the markets. I think that I can see what the company was saying, when it defended itself, but I think that there are other ways to connect children to Hindu culture than making the god controllable and whatnot. I can see where these Hindu groups are getting deeply offended though, because from what I've learned of Hinduism, the gods and goddesses should be deeply respected.======

Image Source: IndiaPost.com and 9dozen.wordpress.com Article Source: New American Media


 * [[image:-community_994048891.jpg height="222" caption="Hanuman Plush Toy- IMAGE SOURCE: IndiaPost.com"]] ||
 * Hanuman Plush Toy- IMAGE SOURCE: IndiaPost.com ||


 * [[image:hanuman12.jpg height="229" caption="Hanuman the Hindu God, IMAGE SOURCE: 9dozen.wordpress.com"]] ||
 * Hanuman the Hindu God, IMAGE SOURCE: 9dozen.wordpress.com ||

= //Hindu Parents Challenge California Textbooks//= Source: National Public Radio (NPR) This article is about Hindu parents challenging the California textbooks. The U.S population adopts the California textbooks. Now that some parent groups are challenging these textbooks parents all over the U.S. are wondering if their child's school textbooks are wrong. These activist groups claim the that the real story of Hinduism is not told. They contradict the information on the origin of Hinduism, the Indian caste system, and woman's rites. This is a big debate, some think that Hindu's are trying to rewrite history while others believe that it would be a mistake to look at history with modern day concerns. As Mr. Shiva Bajpai states, "To read modern concerns of inequality and equality into ancient society is not advisable, because it distorts the study of our ancient society, their value systems, and their worldview." Other people are saying that teaching history based on peoples religion, race, an ethnicity ideas they will be teaching children half truth, and half opinion, and lies. My response to this article is that it is not good that parents are challenging the textbooks. I think that the textbooks since they were written a while ago, it seems strange that after such a long time NOW parents would take action against the textbooks. It also seems that the only things that people want to change is how their race, culture, gender, or ethnicity looked. People need to tell them that you cannot change what happened in history. Yes women have a lot of rites now but they didn't back then and parents cannot change that. It would be like teaching the children lies, and that is not good. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =**Pakistan Hindus convert to Islam to save their jobs**= This article is about convirting to Islam to save your job in a anti-hinduism society. A family of Hindus worked at a restaurant and people stopped coming to the restaurant because they didn't ant to eat food prepared by a Hindu. Two brothers worked at a sweet shop and were discriminated against by other employees from nearby shops.Finally, their managers suggested they convert to Islam, and so they did. 57 Hindus in the village of Sialkot have converted, I think because of the same reasons as the ones I mentioned.

I think It is very sad that these Hindus had to convert to save thier jobs. I am amazed at how tense the religious tension is in Pakistan, that to stop the discrimination you have to convert. I think it would be interesting, though, to hear the other side of this story. I would like to hear what these Muslims have agaist these Hindus who are trying to make a living. Do they just hate their religion? Has something been done to them by a Hindu?All in all, though, I am troubled by this unfair treatment of Hinus in Pakistan.

Sources: Temple: [|http://www.planetware.com/i/photo/a-hindu-temple-in-johor-bahru-mal884.jpg] Mosque: [|http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f2/Shrine_Of_Allo_Mahar_sharif.jpg/300px-Shrine_Of_Allo_Mahar_sharif.jpg] Story: [|http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report_57-pakistani-hindus-convert-to-islam-under-pressure_1388695]or dnaindia.com

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

__Ritual at Hindu temple in Shawnee pleads for world peace__
 * [[image:http://media.kansascity.com/smedia/2010/05/16/23/mahayagna_me_051610_gls_211a.embedded.prod_affiliate.81.jpg height="186" caption="Priests Sri Srinivasacharyulu Mahendrada (left) and Sri Atul Trivedi led the World Peace Maha Yagna celebration on Sunday at the Hindu Temple and Cultural Center of Kansas City in Shawnee Kansas. GARVEY SCOTT/The Kansas City Star 05162010"]] ||
 * Priests Sri Srinivasacharyulu Mahendrada (left) and Sri Atul Trivedi led the World Peace Maha Yagna celebration on Sunday at the Hindu Temple and Cultural Center of Kansas City in Shawnee Kansas. GARVEY SCOTT/The Kansas City Star 05162010 ||

This article is about a Hindu ceremony called Maha Yagna. Followers of the Hindu faith put offerings in one of over 100 fire-pits and pray to the many gods for world peace. Priests-in-training help the people at each fire-pit while the main priest leads "mantras" in Sanskrit, the original written language of the Hindu's.

I think that a religion specifically having a holiday, a special event, to pray for world peace is really amazing. This religion is so devoted to peace and good deeds that they have ten days to pray and do rituals about a worldwide ideal. Another thing also amazes me. Over fifteen-hundred people were expected to come and this was one of the ten times it had been this big. I was very surprised at how few Hindu's there were, especially in a whole state as big as Kansas. I know some Hindu's who live in Kansas probably didn't come, but still, only fifteen-hundred people for a state event that is very important to the religion that celebrates it is very, very surprising to me.

News Source: [|KansasCity.com] Link: [|Ritual at Hindu Temple pleads for world peace] Picture: [|KansasCity.com]

__Christian school against learning Hindu culture in India__ In India, christian schools are arguing that learning about hindu culture is not fair and unjust. A proposal from the goverment that schools should teach about the about Hinduism like what they do daily. They want the students to learn the traditions and how they dress traditionally and many more things. Even though the archdiocesan board of education secretary, Gregory Lobo said that the schools had respect for other religions, he also said that they didn't need to focus on one specific religion to learn about. I guess since they are a christian school they don't really want to learn about another religion.

I personally think that there is nothing wrong about learning about a different religion. I happen to be christian and I don't mind about learning about cultures and religion all around the world. Learning new religions help you understand about the beliefs of other people and maybe later, you won't make a stereotype about a religion. It also gives a vivid image of what daily life is for people. Learning about different religion and culture is important because it prepares you for becoming an adult. While I understand that the christian schools don't want to teach its pupil about different religions I also think it is a good idea because it exposes them to a whole new variety of beliefs. Also the schools are in India so it makes sense to learn about hindu culture and tradition because they are surrounded by it. In school today in WMS we are learning world religions so that we understand each other. It clears up misconceptions about other religions and cultures that you might think of. For example, some people used to think that muslims were terrorists just by looking at them. But after the Islam unit I now understood that Muslims are terrorist. Someday you might travel to a different part of the world. It would an good idea to understand about the culture and the religion too. I think hinduism should be taught in the Indian schools because it would teach the kids about new beliefs around them.

News source:BBC News Link: [|Christian schools protest learning about hinduism] Picture:BBC News = = = In India, Hitching Hopes on a Subway=
 * [[image:http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2010/05/14/world/14delhi_CA0/14delhi_CA0-articleLarge.jpg height="177" caption="This is how the subway station looks right now"]] ||
 * This is how the subway station looks right now ||

[|Subways in India]

=
This article is about how the capital of India, New Delhi, has a subway. There are many stereotypes about India, about how it looks poor, dirty, that this capital isn't maintained well. This subway, in New Delhi, proves all of these stereotypes wrong. The subway station, is really clean and well maintained. Elattuvalapil Sreedharan a 77-year-old technocrat who serves as the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation’s managing director. Mr. Sreedharan has a reputation for fearlessness and incorruptibility, and he came up with the idea of the subway. But this couldn't have happened without one of Hinduism's most sacred text, it is called the Bhagavad-Gita. This text is the story of how to motivate an unmotivated person. This text contains the story of a battlefield dialogue between the god Krishna, disguised as a chariot driver, and Arjuna, a brave but demoralized king. Krishna convinces him that he must do his duty, and fight even what seems to be an unwinnable war. Motivation is what made this subway project come to life. ======

=
I think that this article describes to people who aren't Hindu, how Hindu texts can be very helpful in your everyday life. Also, this shows that in some parts of the urban parts of India, like New Delhi, they can modernize and fit in the 21st century, that stereotypes don't make people stop from motivating themselves from doing something. ======

= = = = =**Massive crowds at the River Ganges**=

[|Hindu men take a dip in the River Ganges]
Source: [|new york times] Thounsands of Hindu belivers traveled to the River Ganges in Northern India and begledesh. These Hindu people were here to take a dip in this holy river. To them, this is the holiest water on earth. There are large crowds, so saftey is a big issue. Here's why. 7 people were killed when a xar drove into these crowds! Police are trying to keep the crows under control. The crowds then had to move to a different area in the river. They blamed the authorieties for not providing a clear route to the river.

I think that the Police should clear up this problem for the Hindus. they came all this way to dip in the river, and the police are making it harder for them. i feel that the police are not respecting the hindu religion. They don;t seem t undersatnd how important this is to them. This trip seems a lot like the Hajj for Muslims. These people are both visiting a holy place for their religion.


 * [[image:http://www.tropicalisland.de/india/uttar_pradesh/varanasi/images/VNS%20Varanasi%20or%20Benares%20-%20Ghats%20lining%20the%20holy%20river%20Ganges%20at%20sunrise%203008x2000.jpg height="263" caption="The River Ganges"]] ||
 * The River Ganges ||


 * Should Socail Ranking Be Part Of The Indian Census?**

=
[|**Content of the census in India**]=====

=
In India the government is argueing over the questions on the 2010 census. Should there be a question involving the socail class of Indians? This question relates to the life stlye of Hindus in India because most of the hindus in India are poor (in the socail ranking of india they are called Dalits). If there is a question about the socail rankings of indians it could help the poor hindus in India by giving them food and clothes. If there is not a question on the Census then that could meen more trouble for poor hindus, they would still have to starve and live in hay and straw houses.=====

=
I think that there sould be a question about the socail ranking in India. The whole point of the Census is to learn about the majority population and try to help them. Somebody could argue that the population of hindus in India are treated well enoff but considering the arguements going on it seems that hindus in India are it treated fairly. India refuses to bring this problum up to the UN. I hope that the majority gets there way through this 2010 Census.=====


 * [[image:http://www.independent.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00372/Pg-37-india_main-ap_372991t.jpg height="218" caption="Poor hindus in India" link="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/india-in-uproar-over-decision-to-include-caste-in-national-census-1973037.html?action=Popup"]] ||
 * Poor hindus in India ||

"North London Hindu School Will Be the 'First of Many'"
This article is about a new school in London that will be funded by the government and will be based on Hindu beliefs and practices. There is a high demand for Hindu schools in London, and there is already a waiting list for this school. There is some controversy about the school focusing too much on Lord Krishna and the practice of Hare Krishna's, which does not necessarily represent all of Hinduism. (Example Summary) I think that its great that a Hindu school is opening up, especially knowing that there are so many people in London who practice Hinduism. I don't think that it's necessarily a bad thing that the school focuses on Lord Krishna. Just like there are different types of Christian or Jewish schools, there can also be different types of Hindu schools. I do think it makes a difference that the school is funded by the government, and I wonder if other religious schools in London are funded by the government. (Example Your Thoughts)
 * [[image:http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/47204000/jpg/_47204212_school2_226.jpg height="153" align="left" caption="external image _47204212_school2_226.jpg"]]Article Source** : BBC News **Image Source** : BBC News

**__//Unhealthy obsession of Hinduism in India//__**
[|********* Belief beyond borders*********]


 * A** rticle Source: **Times of India** Image Source: **topnews.in/files/ganesh_1.jpg**

====This article is about an over obsession of Hinduism in india. People are starting to put more and more faith into the Hindu gods now that hard times are falling. The gods are a sort of sanction from the real world. And if people put too much faith in them, and not in real life, then India will surely suffer for it because so many people are Hindu, and because so many people are relatively on the poor side. Here are some examples:====


 * The Zoroastrian woman who is a staunch Ganesha bhakt.


 * <span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: georgia,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Or the Muslim teacher who places his hand-written Urdu petitions before a statue of St Anthony.


 * <span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: georgia,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Or the pious Hindu with a caste mark who travels cross-country to pray for his child's health at the centuries-old dargah of Khwaja Garib Nawaz.

====I think It's bad because of these reasons. It's fine to express your religion, but when it begins to interrupt your regular life, and your community, it's too much. But these are specific examples, and I found some more general ones are of common everyday people like milkmen, farmers, and film stars to CEO's, housewives and scientists who would happily pray to gods of different creeds with out the slightest fear of committing heresy or turning their back on their own faith. That's my opinion, but read the article to find out more.====

=**City Councils Opening With Hindu Prayers**=

City councils in California and Nevada opening with Hindu prayers



This article is about how 5 city councils in California and 1 in Nevada will be opening with Hindu prayers in the language Sanskrit. Rajan Zed will be the religious leader reciting the prayers in Bakersfield, Fresno, Modesto, Lincoln, and Yuba City in California, as well as Henderson, Nevada. First, he will recite the prayers in Sanskrit, then translate it into English. Zed will recite from the Rig-Veda, Upanishads, and Bhagavad-Gita. He will encourage the councilors to act selflessly when reciting from chapter 3 of the Bhagavad-Gita.

I think that this article is very interesting for many reasons. It is amazing how something so average and neutral could start off with a religious ceremony, especially if that religion is not very commonly practiced in the U.S. I'm also very proud and happy that we are fully embracing the amazing religion of Hinduism. The fact that a Hindu prayer would be recited at such an important event surprised me because before we started learning about world religions, I hadn't really known about Hinduism, and definately did not understand it. On the other hand, I'm wondering if this will maybe make some other religions unhappy. Others might feel that this isn't fair, how Hinduism prayers get to open the city councils, while Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, ect. prayers can't. Even though this may cause a problem, I still think that it's a great idea. To make the other religions feel more equal, other councils could start with other religious prayers.

**[|Hindus Wash in the Ganges]**
There is a special over hundered day festival during which Hindus wash in the Ganges river which is considered to be one of the most sacred places in the world for hindus. It is there equivilant of the western wall or the Ka'Ba. There are cops all over to prevent "terrorist atacks stampedes and crime". To give you an idea of how many people usualy atend this festival lets just say more than ten million. There is much shouting and dancing from the atending Hindus. Sounds great right.


 * [[image:http://www.mnn.com/sites/default/files/polluted-ganges-river-hindu.jpg caption="Hindus wash away bad karma in the Ganges"]] ||
 * Hindus wash away bad karma in the Ganges ||

Right. What really caught my attention was how many cops there were. I think, gosh its just a festival, a religious one to you wouldn't think there would be much crime. I mean to use a relgious festival spesificaly meant to cleanse you of the bad things you have done to do something terrible. its just not right. In class we have current events every day one and it seems that there is always some disastor or someone has used sterorids to cheat in a sport or someone droped a bomb on someone else. It seems like there is alredy enough bad to start with but incorperating it into religion seems a little over the top. I know all these police are just doing standard procedure but what could really happen at a religious festival. I don't really know but it might even interefere with the actual religious element of the festival. Its like going through sucureity at the airport they really hassel you even though your inocent. The bottom line is if you just left people alone it would still be fine.

Source of Article: Pew Forum for Religion and Public Life

Source of image: [|www.mnn.com]

=**[|We are all Hindus now]**= ​ This article is about how we (Christians) are satarting to shift from a majorly christian view (Our religion is the only true religion). People are now starting to belive in the Hindu perspective that there are multiple ways to God. Now even Evanglicans, whose belief is that salvation is for them alone, are starting to share the perspective with the rest of America. Americans are slipping away from Jesus's, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me."

I found this article's revalation very suprising. I know that the Christian population percentage is dropping, because of imigration and conversion, but what I didn't know was that The christian view is changing. I think that this is the first time that an outside religion has been so influential to Christianity (besides it's birth). I think that this is a sign for the good.

​ Hindus vs. Christians in India

This article is abot a man named Solomon, his family, and many other Christian people in India. These people are getting very harsh and unfair treatment becaue of their religion by some Hindu people in India. This all started when two groups who live on the same land split religiously. One group, the Panas, adapted Christianity, and the other group, the Kandhas, adapted Hindism. These groups have been fighting, and now, with the Hindu population being much larger than the Christian, the christian people are at a disatvantage.

I find this kind of sad, the things people are doing to eachother just because of what they believe in. I defenitly think that the two religious groups should learn to except eachother, to coexist.

Link to Image 1: [|http://www.atmajyoti.org/images/om_yellow_marblish.gif] Link to Image 2: [|http://blackchristiannews.com/news/images/christian-cross.png]

Link to Article: [] Help · About · Blog · Terms · Privacy · [|**Support**] · [|**Upgrade**]Contributions to http://grade6religioncurrentevents.wikispaces.com are licensed under a [|Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike 3.0 License]. Portions not contributed by visitors are Copyright 2010 Tangient LLC.