Rules to respect Hinduism

[zen]

As I have said that the Indian subcontinent is the only place for Hinduism (and other religions born in the subcontinent) to prosper (other major religions have a worldwide presence so not dependent on one particular region). For many born in India, it can become a way of life to give additional thought to it. However, there should be certain rules to help respect the religion including:

 

• Considering major holy cities to be similar to a Jerusalem, a Mecca, and a Vatican City. 
• Extreme cleanliness and hygiene standards (including world class waste management) at areas around the places of worship. 
• Protection and cleanup of holy rivers. 
• Ban on using religious symbols (and God pictures) as logos, etc. Imagine having a product or a business card with Hanumanji's picture on it and that getting trashed. 
• Setting up of guidelines for the media. 

 

 

 

[Mariyam]

The best way to garner respect (why a God/ or a people should need external validation is altogether a different discussion) is to behave in a way that appreciates differences in opinion/belief, causes minimum trouble to others and desists from comparing with other faiths. Lead a life that others would want to emulate. That brings in respect. 

What you suggest @zen is some legislation which would only make people wary before they disrespect a faith. A watered down version of a blasphemy law. That's fear, not respect.

 

This is where ( yes, I generalize) Muslims sorely lack. There is no point asking others to read the Holy Quran or the scriptures or whatever, if a chunk of your followers act like loonies. Then that is how you will be perceived.

This is true of other faiths too, to varying degrees.

[zen]

1 hour ago, Mariyam said:

The best way to garner respect (why a God/ or a people should need external validation is altogether a different discussion) is to behave in a way that appreciates differences in opinion/belief, causes minimum trouble to others and desists from comparing with other faiths. Lead a life that others would want to emulate. That brings in respect. 

What you suggest @zen is some legislation which would only make people wary before they disrespect a faith. A watered down version of a blasphemy law. That's fear, not respect.

 

This is where ( yes, I generalize) Muslims sorely lack. There is no point asking others to read the Holy Quran or the scriptures or whatever, if a chunk of your followers act like loonies. Then that is how you will be perceived.

This is true of other faiths too, to varying degrees.

 

Yeah, this discussion is more about creating laws to "educate" people ... Some of the points that you raised may come under model citizen, which should happen no matter which religion you follow or not follow at all! 

 

To get to a model stage,one would still need to educate the population (as things may not happen magically on their own)

 

Many of the things mentioned in the OP are not "laws" per se as those things should be done irrespectively (some only require common sense but still ...)! 

 

Edited August 13, 2022 by zen

[BacktoCricaddict]

52 minutes ago, zen said:

As I have said that the Indian subcontinent is the only place for Hinduism (and other religions born in the subcontinent) to prosper (other major religions have a worldwide presence so not dependent on one particular region). For many born in India, it can become a way of life to give additional thought to it. However, there should be certain rules to help respect the religion including:

 

• Considering major holy cities to be similar to a Jerusalem, a Mecca, and a Vatican City. 
• Extreme cleanliness and hygiene standards (including world class waste management) at areas around the places of worship. 
• Protection and cleanup of holy rivers. 
• Ban on using religious symbols (and God pictures) as logos, etc. Imagine having a product or a business card with Hanumanji's picture on it and that getting trashed. 
• Setting up of guidelines for the media. 

 

 

 

 

Cleanliness around places of worship:  No. Cleanliness everywhere.

Protection and cleanup of holy rivers:  No. Protection and cleanup of all rivers - holy or not. 

 

What you're proposing is a thinly-veiled theocracy. 

 

 

[zen]

49 minutes ago, BacktoCricaddict said:

 

Cleanliness around places of worship:  No. Cleanliness everywhere.

Protection and cleanup of holy rivers:  No. Protection and cleanup of all rivers - holy or not. 

 

What you're proposing is a thinly-veiled theocracy. 

 

 

One of the issues with India is “everywhere/everyone”, which means “nowhere/no one ”, therefore substantial issues take their own time.  Resources are limited too. 
 

First, start from somewhere. If you can’t keep your “holy” places clean/world class, what else would you? And if you learn to keep holy places, you can extend it elsewhere. 
 

PS Anyways, this thread is focused on religion. One can start a topic on education and someone  could say what about food and water and vice versa, and so on (electricity, defence, other types of infrastructure, law and order, …)
 

 

Edited August 13, 2022 by zen

[coffee_rules]

We should eradicate the misconceptions of others’ perceptions. It is the only organic system that has open architecture. Need to maintain the openness and accept all culture and rituals. Yes cleanliness of temples is paramount , but it has to come from within and not from external pressure. Caste has to be eradicated foremost. 
 

Others mocking our worship of ShivLing or Ganesha or any ritual with GauPooja needs to be made aware of the real meaning . A lot of us don’t even know why they are sacred and they can’t explain to those who ridicule.

 

On OP, legislation works on a uniform system and Sanatan Dharma is based on plurality as opposed to dogmatic abrahamic religions where such organized rules work. 
 

IMO, need more scholarship from Hinduism to explain the Vedic or Vedanta philosophy that can be peer reviewed like they do in the western academia. 

 

 

[zen]

44 minutes ago, coffee_rules said:

Yes cleanliness of temples is paramount , but it has to come from within and not from external pressure

 

Cleanliness of temples cannot be subject to an individual's perception. Say X keeps a temple clean, Y does not. Why should the temple and others suffer because of Y's action (and wait for him to understand from within. He could never understand and die without understanding). You need basic laws if people do not show the understanding despite years and years of opportunities to understand. 

 

Need to look at the practical side of the equation too. 

[coffee_rules]

13 hours ago, zen said:

 

Cleanliness of temples cannot be subject to an individual's perception. Say X keeps a temple clean, Y does not. Why should the temple and others suffer because of Y's action (and wait for him to understand from within. He could never understand and die without understanding). You need basic laws if people do not show the understanding despite years and years of opportunities to understand. 

 

Need to look at the practical side of the equation too. 

Openness of Hindus will make them flock to Temple X and Temple Y will comply seeing nobody comes to his temple. 

[ash]

Treating ALL Hindus with respect and considering all Hindus as equals would be a good start. 

[Lone Wolf]

52 minutes ago, ash said:

Treating ALL Hindus with respect and considering all Hindus as equals would be a good start. 

That ain't happening any time sooner.  I think Hindus better work on getting back their own roots rather than worrying about what others say/think. 

[ash]

52 minutes ago, Lone Wolf said:

That ain't happening any time sooner.  I think Hindus better work on getting back their own roots rather than worrying about what others say/think. 

A religion cannot be respected if it tries to hide its shortcomings. If there is nothing to hide and nothing wrong, everyone will start respecting the religion automatically. 

[zen]

This topic is simply on "respecting" major Hindu sites, symbology, etc., by keeping them clean, not misusing them (including having Gods' pictures on business cards, logos, etc.), giving them the recognition they deserve, etc. 

 

The topic is NOT about spreading the religion (rather prefer quality ppl follow it than every Tom, Dick, and Harry), making others respect Hinduism (don't care; other religions should work to gain respect including of Hindus too), ... 

 

 

Edited August 14, 2022 by zen

[coffee_rules]

2 hours ago, Lone Wolf said:

That ain't happening any time sooner.  I think Hindus better work on getting back their own roots rather than worrying about what others say/think. 

Equality and egalitarianism is a western concept, our communists will never understand and drive the atrocity narrative. People are not helping  the fight against the narrative, as there are selective pickings readily available. Some falana thakur hitting a Dalit for growing a mustache.
 

Despite the only religion going through reforms, none of the communists point to other religions for reform. Why can’t they drive the same narrative against  the conversion brigands or sar tan se juda activists?

Edited August 14, 2022 by coffee_rules

[coffee_rules]

1 hour ago, ash said:

A religion cannot be respected if it tries to hide its shortcomings. If there is nothing to hide and nothing wrong, everyone will start respecting the religion automatically. 

Which religion is that? Atheism?

[HamHindustani]

Preserve our temples and temple towns. Make the towns domestic and international visitors friendly.  

 

 

 

 

[HamHindustani]

1 hour ago, ash said:

A religion cannot be respected if it tries to hide its shortcomings. If there is nothing to hide and nothing wrong, everyone will start respecting the religion automatically. 

Bhaisahb, you not know religion. 

[coffee_rules]

38 minutes ago, HamHindustani said:

Preserve our temples and temple towns. Make the towns domestic and international visitors friendly.  

 

 

 

 

First thing, Temples are not for tourism. It is a living ecosystem for devotees. Cleanliness is for devotees, not because it looks good for foreigners.

[HamHindustani]

21 minutes ago, coffee_rules said:

First thing, Temples are not for tourism. It is a living ecosystem for devotees. Cleanliness is for devotees, not because it looks good for foreigners.

It isn't about tourism or economics. It is about sharing our traditions with the world. What I am saying can be done outside the temple ecosystem.

 

 

[zen]

I would suggest that if anyone hands out any business card with any God's logo on it -> Do not accept it respectfully.  Avoid buying products with God's logo on them. 

 

Look at the below:

 

 

 

 

[ash]

3 hours ago, coffee_rules said:

Which religion is that? Atheism?

Atheism is not a religion and even if it was, it doesn’t have a tier system and treat some of its own followers as second class citizens.