Survey: The use of Hindu imagery in nightclubs
With the mounting campaign against the extensive use of Hindu imagery in ‘Blagclub‘, the question has once again arisen about the rights and wrongs of artistic licence to use sacred imagery outside of traditional settings.
September 25th, 2006 at 9:47 am
Dear Hindu Voice UK,
I, myself have been to The Blag club and was amazed to see pictures and statutes of Hindu gods and goddesses exploited in this manner.
It is a disgrace to consume alcohol and smoke in front of images of our Gods. This should not be tolerated and The Blag Club should, in no way what so ever disrespect our religion!
In the clubs eye, this is merely a decorative feature. But they do not understand that these are sacrate images.
It would be very interesting to see how the Islamic society would react, if images of their prophet was erected in clubs?
AJ
September 25th, 2006 at 10:19 am
this is just pathetic…i dont think that hindu deities should be put up in bars and night clubs at all…the people who do so should be presecuted…hindu deities are meant for worship and not as decoration peices for a bar…….i feel that the people who do so and the people who have enjoyed seein such a thing will have to pay in the future….as whatever happens in the end they will have to face GOD…and reply to him as to why they did such a thing…..i have nothing else to say about it……V WORSHIP THEM…..NOT PUT THEM UP IN NIGHT CLUBS…..
September 25th, 2006 at 10:37 am
There should be proper laws in place to protect ethnic minorities from some groups who exploit their tradition.
Its not only matter of hindu alone. Any organization wishing to use religious icons, statues, scripts, mantras, photos of daities should take appropreate permission from governing body before using them. At the same time if its use is inappropreate these governing bodies should have authority to take action.
Each time sometype of conroversy happens and then every religious organization enters into survey and objection rounds and then if pressure is high, these commercial things are removed.
But why each case to be dealt separately. There should be common rules in place to protect all of them in one go.
September 25th, 2006 at 11:09 am
What I find fascinating is that all of this was reported by other devout Hindus who were..er clubbing at the Blag Club? There are many places where images are used near to places which consume alcohol, not only at Blag Club.. didn’t David Frawley write on this site, that it is okay to have a few?
And isn’t God present, with or without the imagery?
September 25th, 2006 at 11:47 am
It is wrong for the club to say that we do not have the right to say what they do.Try decorating with christian and muslim religious arts and see if your club survives. HINDUISM is universally the most tolerant religion and the club will suffer in the end if they do not remove their decor.
September 25th, 2006 at 5:43 pm
This is a blatant misuse of Hindu images. They can make their club nice without decorating it in religious images. I would fully support and attend any protest against this.
September 25th, 2006 at 10:31 pm
i think, they all feel good next to those great images…
where hindu culture is more to find inner of yourself…. those peoples who go to pub usually have a very harsh life… and they usually feel alone. at such point instead of making a issue with images…. we need to help them.
Our ancestors also have accepted Jesus as a incarnation of Vishnu.. if you check visit of “st. thomas”…. it must for us to come back to those values…. as this is the only way to bring peace in world.
Remember, if catholics claim to be real christians.. then indians have more deeper root with christanity. Radicalism can not be answered with radicalism… and ignorance should not be answered with ignorance…
we have suffered a lot under britishers before indepandance…. but today christian world is good from heart… give them love… as this is always the teaching from the god… as Krishna, as Rama or even as Jesus….
September 26th, 2006 at 6:34 pm
I dont see any problem with the use of Hindu Imagery in a niight club.
Firstly it is not forbidden to display imagery of hindu god and godesses, infacts its most postively encouraged!
Most off the above views , really show a lack of any real understanding of Hinduism.
You must ask your self whom is it offending and why?…Is it offendding god?…I THINK NOT, as he is ego less. Is it depicting the gods in a bad light? ( as did the pictures of mohammed did..)…No it is not.
So what is the the real gripe?….stop playing the victim, and comparing your selves to muslims..or christians…etc…
we are Hindus! (SANATHAM DHARMA)
we SHOULD AND MUST be tolerant and open minded!
September 26th, 2006 at 6:41 pm
and as for the ‘mounting campaign’…
i really think its pathetic…If Hinduism is the survive into the next century, we need to educate people about our religion, NOT get our knickers in a twist over something as trivial as this…It only makes us look like relics…and backwards!
Some people love to make a fuss over nothing.
September 26th, 2006 at 7:07 pm
“Our ancestors also have accepted Jesus as a incarnation of Vishnu.. if you check visit of “st. thomas”…. it must for us to come back to those values…. as this is the only way to bring peace in world.”
Where did you get that, no Hindu I know accepts Jesus as an avatara of Vishnu, St.Thomas coming to India itself is a big myth spread by the Christians, in reality there was no such visit, if anyone is interested to know more about this go to the following site:
www.hamsa.org
September 27th, 2006 at 11:34 am
I think it does show a lack of respect. We have images at navratri celebrations and diwali celebrations, in mandirs etc - but do you see anyone drinking or smoking in front of them? instead we take that time cleanse our bodies and souls and most of us do not consume meat, smoke (which is bad for us anyway) and refrain from alcohol.
I wonder if there had been a club with exerpts from the koran decorating its walls, or words from the bible and a huge crucifixtion - that would cause uproar no?
September 27th, 2006 at 11:36 am
I feel that Hindus have to be more vocal. Just bringing to the attention of bodies which denigrate Hindu Gods and Goddesses as to their ignorance is totally insufficient. A small procession should be organised against all who misuse Hindu images . Failure, a large public gathering should be organised
and such organisations denounced and making representations to the Government to disallow such demeaning actions. Would the 3 night-clubs display icons of Mary or Jesus in such environment. HIgh time Hindu bodies become more vociferous in their outcry.
September 27th, 2006 at 11:36 am
I also understand that in some peoples mind that we shouldnt be smoking drink etc anyway - beacuse god is omnipresent - but to go out and deliberately put up imagery which is consider holy by a large group of people in order for decoration in a place where there is sexually provocativve dancing, drinking etc is a thoughtless act.
September 28th, 2006 at 10:16 am
Earlier this year the cover of a well known Marketing magazine, Marketing week had imagery of a hindu godess holding shopping bags in her arms such as tesco and Louis Vuitton - I was shocked when i saw it and very quickly penned a letter to the editor which was published - but received no apology to the hindu public for the use of such imagery. The editors excuse? That the imagery was actually of bharatnatyam dancers all doing the godess pose. I then wrote back a sharp email explaining that kathak and bharatnatyam were actually a way that the religious stories about the godess and other gods were told and that the godess pose itself was a representation of the mother godess. I received no reply and no apology.
To be honest I’m quite sick of the amount of ill educated people there are out there using imagery and our religion as well as many other religions for their own means especially in the capitalist business world…
Hindus are generally passive until invaded or provoked and we are definately peace loving - but why is that we dontr really receive respect in any form apart from when we do well in business and bring revenue to the country? Thankfully we’re not a bunch of terrorists etc just for the gain of attention but thankful that we are allowed our freedoms in the UK and we try and integrate but its pitifull that all we get is small minded people passing off our faith as idolatory and wearing tshirts with our gods while they smoke ganja.
Having said that - its not as if we havent made money out of them doing so anyway is it?
September 28th, 2006 at 11:27 am
I thinks its disgusting and personally think direct action is required hindus need to orgnaise themselves more especially us the younger geenrations all hindu societies and temples in and around london should co-ordinate and stage a protest on this atleast that way our voices will be heard.
To sit and do nothing is not our dharma, i personally have sent an email and made a phone call of comlaint which will be ignored but direct action will atleast let them hear our voice.
your thoughts?
September 28th, 2006 at 1:29 pm
That club is absolutley awful. We all make concious desicions as to whether we are doing the right thing or not in life, but im sure every hindu finds their own balance, their own limitations and deals with the consequences when they make the wrong descion. WHen it comes to clubbing, most hindus go as their balance. They make it their descision, even if they know the atmosphere is wrong, but when they go to a club they dont wanna see their Gods staring back. Its disrespectful. You wouldnt go clubbing with your mum their so why would you wanna do it in front of God. Even when you go temple, you take ur shoes off as a sign of respect, and u make sure you vegitarian and pure, so why would u bring God into a place where there is smoke and drink and other goings on.
No one should be judged on going clubbing, but each hindu who does already knows their limitations and consequences of actions. Hinduisim is seen as a fashion icon these days by some people. Even when some designers started printing Lord krishna on shoes and stillettos. Its just not on. How far will they go? I think they have pushed us way past the limit and its time we stand up and say NO!
September 28th, 2006 at 3:40 pm
OMNAMASHIVAYA,
SANATAN DHARMA the universal religion has tolerated all faiths.In our fervour to defend protect and save HINDUS ,let us not fall prey to the same intolerant attitudes that some other mainline religions demonstrate. Protest we must but let us be civil and not take it to extremes.
When I was at Madras ChristianCollege many moons ago a Presbyterian minister -professor said that Hinduism has a foundation that all other religions lack.That is the reason it has survived all the proseletysing religions that have invaded Bharat over the years.
Thank you.Happy NAVARATHRI.
September 29th, 2006 at 12:04 pm
While I am tolerant of the decisions of various nightclubs to use hindu imagery in their decor I am taken aback at the lack of respect the owners of these clubs have for the hindu religion. Nobody would object to an Indian style of decoration but for some more devout hindus having statues and such of gods disrespected is distressing.
I don’t find it too offensive but I am respectful of all religions. I’d equally object to Buddha statues or images of Jesus in these environment. While I’m sure it’s quirky and cool and brings in money because of this I’m a little saddened by what people will trample on purely to increase profits.
September 29th, 2006 at 10:59 pm
And a murderer chanted mara mara mara, and to him was revealed Rama.
Our God is not not somewhere. All places are holy. So let us use the night clubs to grow the souls of the night clubbers.
Do we feel disripected - how many celebrities going through divorces, affairs, etc show their crucifx - quite a few. How many muslims write on their scarf oaths to Allah while killing people. Their’s is the religion that is direspected. Their are bars with christian symbols around - people don’t really enjoy them. By the way, we do have tantrics that use sexuality to get closer to god.
Arrogance too is everywhere. We do need to teach each other how to overcome it.
hariaum nkv
October 1st, 2006 at 3:03 pm
Who needs the help most? The guy in the night club or the guy in the temple?
On the one hand Gods is everywhere on the other he cannot be in certain places.
God is here to help those who have lost their path on the other hand we dont want to take God to them.
On the one hand Prostitute is bad on the other we cant build a murti (do certan ceromany) without a soil from their premesis.
On the one hand we complain about sexual images of our Gods but come Diwali we will be exchanging erotic poses of Radha Krishna cards in the name of Divine Love or is it Art.
Ive seen images in Bars run by Hindus. But they dont offend me becuase the bar owner genuinly is praying to the Gods through those pictures.
Is having a Murti for fashion wrong?
I think yes.
Having a Murti for worship no matter where is not wrong in my opinion.
October 2nd, 2006 at 1:09 pm
To the moronic comments about hinduism from “karma”.
Firstly the fundamentals of Hinduism are based on a life of purity of thought and action…
By displaying such images in nightclubs, it is actually an insult to the dieties
Alcohol is strictly prohibited in the Hindu religion and therefore images of God in places where people consume alcohol, and behave in a manner that is contrary to Hindu philosophy and beliefs are a blatant disregard..
Dharma is a fundamental concept of Sanatan Hindu religion and Dharma encompasses purity of mind and control of senses and
Therefore, displaying images of Hindu dieties in such places is total contrary to the principle foundations of Hindu dharma…
And in response to your jibe that we are Hindus so we should be tolerant - these are the very reasons why so many Hindu’s lack strength in their religion!
October 2nd, 2006 at 1:48 pm
Dear Hindu Voice
Any licentious use or exploitation of our religious images is bad and must not be permitted. But who is to blame for this if not Hindus themselves? We have a liberal, uncharted and undefined approach to ritualism and symbolism, thanks to the Brahmin who only promoted this for sheer pecuniary interests. So where sanctity and forbidden areas are well established in other religions through laid down doctrines and codes of practices this is not so with us. We have been ourselves liberal and indiscipline about the use of religious symbols. Where do you find a cigarette packet named after Christ just to lure a customer ?Or a bag of wheat etc. We have bidis peddled under Hanuman patronage. I have myself chided many displaying signboards such as ‘ Jai Shree Ram- Deshi Sharab ka theka” and these came up copiously during the BJP boom! Hinduism has become commercialized. One does not see this in other religions. For even a small inadvertent slip could turn into a crisis in the case of Islam or Christianity, which is why none dare making such displays. Then the manner that our religion or way of life, as Hinduism is no religion in a strict sense of the word, has been projected indeed sold to west makes things worst. Take Rajneesh how he liberalized life in his ashram sanctifying most vulgar exhibitionism in the name of religious ‘bliss’. Take divali for instance . It projects a dismal image of our religious celebrations - gambling is taken up with pride, ostentatious spending and drinking. Hinduism is infact in a crisis and turning into a mere identity rather than a faith.This has to be reversed from inside what is the use of a few protesting against some imaging in a night club. e are on a weak wicket as a people. Its the young who must rejuvenate this faith on disciplined lines and not remain bonded to embedded practices
jai hind
October 2nd, 2006 at 6:54 pm
Yo Sunny, I agree with most of what u r saying, but I do not agree that Hinduism “strictly prohibit’s alcohol”. Maybe some sects do, but not Hindu dharma as a whole.
Please refer to this article that was carried in the July issue of Hindu Voice UK:
“A Hindu view on the use of alcohol”
http://www.hinduvoice.co.uk/Issues/7/Alcohol.htm
October 2nd, 2006 at 7:06 pm
How pure do you need to be to be called a Hindu? How pure do you need to be to do a puja or a meditation? I am not so self assured as to believe my loevel of purity qualifies me to any claim over anything. We all work with imperfect minds to understand the perfect being. We all need each other even the imperfect ones.
In certain religions if you disrepect god you are a sinner. But ours allows us to be angry to god to disrepect it, etc. Just as a child angry at its parents cries in anger so do humans to god.
On the one hand yes we want people to worship the idol so they can move to worshiiping nirguna. But, first people need to see the idol, and then they also need to transcend it. The worship is to what is beyond and within the idol. So we can ask what is the propper place for an image to remind us to seek god? - everywhere. Are there places that we should not be reminded of god? - no. What happens when someone exploits the image of god? - Christian missionaries, Muslim martyrs, and Hindus that think they know god.
How do we reduce the effects of such exploitations- dialogue, education, distribution of gita, purans, etc. in all settings.
hariaum
October 3rd, 2006 at 8:47 am
Those who are justifying are actually being Tamasic (negative & careless). The various Icons as revealed by the Supreme Lord by Himself are for the variety of baktas to choose the form which best suits them, be it father figure (Lord Siva, Lord Vishnu), mother Maa Kali, etc), son (Bala Krishna, Bala Muruga), elder brother (Ganesha), etc. The Shan Matha (6 paths) as arranged by Sri Adi Shankara more than 2000 years ago was only to organise what was already being practiced in Bharat long before even then. Remember that the Kaliyuga, itself the fourth & last quarter of this cycle is already more than 5100 years old. This concept in Bakti Yoga (Emotional attachment to God) is called Istha Deivam Darisanam. No other religion has this and that is why to be born a Hindu means we have already been double blessed by the Lord. Our Dharma gives us tremendous scope to experiment and pursue. I once told a Catholic about this when he complained to me over a conversation that he is only attracted to Mother Mary & not to Jesus. He had been chided by some of his fellow Christians for this. He really and wholeheartedly appreciated.
One who is blessed to actually identify his Istha, learn the related Puranas, sing His glories, get a Guru Mantra (Istha Deivam Mantra) from a Nyana Guru (Realised Guru) and thereon practice Japa Yoga of the Guru Mantra as instructed by his Guru. He will progressively replace his worldiness and be blessed with Viveka (discrimination) & Viragya (dispassion). To him, his Istha becomes everything, liks Sri Krishna was to Meera, Lord Siva to the Nayanmars of Tamilnadu & Lord Vishnu to inummberable baktas of Bharat. His Istha then opens more sadhana doors for him & take him fromSarguna to Nirguna Darshan (form to formless worship). To Bhaktas such wrongful use can really hurt. Remember Bakti is an emotional path. Before anyone justifies this despicable action, please understand this. I believe the Hindus of UK will solve this. Can’t you make a police report or take these people to court?
May the Lord of Palani Hills, the Dearest to Lord Siva & Mother Parvathy, the Favourite of Lord Vishnu, the Seranjeevi and my eternal Antharatma direct His Vel at these ignorant jivatmas.
HARIAUM TAT SAT.
AUM SANTHI AUM SANTHI AUM SANTHI.
October 3rd, 2006 at 9:27 am
In response to Raju & others who think alchol is allowed in hinduism-
Firstly you are categorically incorrect and have not understood the religion. It is written in the scriptures which modern Hindus have forgotten that to drink alchol is a sin but modern hindus have made religion “flexible” as per it suits thier needs- so we’ll party, club away an be merry an we’ll attain moksha- are you being serious?
“Hinduism has the largest following in India, and in the Hindu scriptures drinking is referred to as one of the five heinous crimes, which include murder and adultery”
Furthermore According to the laws of Manu (which by the way are HINDU SCRIPTURES) it is a sin to consume alcohol. And in the Bhagwad Geeta in the Bishma Parva it also reiterates the same point.
Just because people want to go out and do things they cant they try and find loopholes in religion when in reality there is no scope for such a ridiculous argument.
October 3rd, 2006 at 2:41 pm
I’m not sure that the laws of Manu are scripture. Any citation in Gita? or Vedas? to this effect.
The fallacy is that truth can be kept in a book. This is the mistake of christians and muslims. The supreme is not only in a book. We must look beynod books to find truth.
If alcohol is so bad, then why is soma accepted (fermentation implies and alcohol mixture).
The Gita reflects that persons of certain character will be drawn to certain activity. In the way that Arjuna is drawn to kill so some are drawn to rajasic and tamasic foods. Likewise, some are drawn to rajasic or tamasic interpretations of religion. Krishna clearly understands the diversity of existence and does not reject any of it.
But this is not to say that alcohol is a good. It is us through our attachment to things (alcohol, food, moksha,…) that create hindrances to our development. It is the attachment that is the problem not the alcohol.
hariaum
October 4th, 2006 at 8:39 am
At first I was appalled at the thought of pictures of Lord Ganesha being installed in a pub.
But then I got to thinking about it, who can say where and how, one can be led to find God, just maybe seeing a picture of one of the dieties, may be a reminder to go easy on the alchol, or to seek out a temple.
Just a thought.
October 7th, 2006 at 2:15 pm
http://www.petitiontime.com/ViewPetition.aspx?key=blag
this is an online petition - i received the link from an email please sign if you feel strongly about this
October 7th, 2006 at 2:30 pm
I am sorry to say but people such as Sunny, like many of vegiterian advocates think that their view represent all Hindus. If certain samajs have such restrictions, it cannot be imposed on all others. Besides I’ve always thought that if you don’t eat meat and express all the peity, but do not stand up for Dharma in face of others, then its all for waste. I rather have the meat eating alcoholic Hindus that fight for Hindus around. I find the others usually are pretty hypocritical anyway.
October 7th, 2006 at 4:25 pm
I want all the hindus: the murderers, the thiefs, the drunks, the commoners, the leaders, the saints - they were all given to each other so that we can push ourselves. Even the hypocrites. We should all fight within ourselves and in our world to make this existence (sat) the road (cit) to satcitananda (prakriti to purusha). But remember, this is a call to depth before arms (Gita before Yudha).
hariaum
October 7th, 2006 at 4:26 pm
we would like to spread the Christianity and Islam too. along with Hinduism as the owner claims .So lets put the pictures of bleeding Christ , weeping and sad Mary and and a bearded male figure without face of course along with the Hindu dieties all along the wall of that night club to remind the visiters of their sins.
October 8th, 2006 at 11:34 pm
I have seen night clubs with such images (In Boston, ong ago when I did these things). I would prefer to put images of Jesus and Mohamed praying to Ganesha on those images, but I suspect that won’t happen too soon.
smiles, hariaum
October 9th, 2006 at 1:02 pm
Park x- what you say is correct; for any hindu not to stand up for his religion is not dharma, but what about these meat eaters and people who take alchol they themselves are going against dharma so how do you justify them to stand up for a religion but not to follow any moral codes which have been given!?
October 9th, 2006 at 4:24 pm
I am educated at the variance of views on alcohol. This itself shows the flexibility of attitudes in hindu society in the absence of codes which is what defines any religion . My point about alsohol was that why should this be symbolic of a religious occasion? Divali as practiced lacks any moral or virtuous devotion to God , EXCEPT GOD OF WEALTH. If this is not meant to be so then why call it a religious occasion? philosophy apart , it is the teachings for the common man which consolidates a religion. There is nothing for the common man in hinduism. If we dont project a unified image in our conducts associated with our faith then the faith becomes weak on ground. No one is really concerned about what may hurt a hindu because this does not represent threat.See how the white man fears ISLAM AND SO RESPECTS IT. MAN IS ONLY A SOCIAL ANIMAL AFTERALL
October 9th, 2006 at 6:24 pm
i feel very strongly about this…it is offensive, and Hinduism is being made to look like a Micky mouse religion, when our deities are shown in clubs, infront of people who smoke, drink, use drugs,kiss, and are not clean(woman only)!! this is horrific and i am so surprised that not much has been done about this…where are you …the youths!!! this is the time when we need to stick together and stand beside our faith and the truth!! in our lives…please continue signing the petition we need over 10, 000 signitures!!, if anyone wants to help me to contact every university hindu president, to make everyone aware of the exploitation of our religion then let me know on eternity_vara@hotmail.com…and we will work together to get our voices heard!! if you are hindu….act like one and fight for what you were born to be!!! JAI HIND!!!!!!!
October 9th, 2006 at 6:30 pm
HEY SUNNY I CAN TELL THAT YOU ARE STANDING FIRMLY BEHIND… IN WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN!!! …EXCELLENT LETS SPREAD THE WORD!!! NOT ENOUGH IS BEING DONE….JUST IMAGINE THAT THIS WAS A MOCKERY OF ANOTHER RELIGION!!! IT WOULD BE TAKEN TO THE NEXT STEP…IE.NEWSPAPERS, PROTESTS!!! …WE NEED TO PORTRAY THIS MESSAGE AND UNITE!!! AND CREATE A WORLD FULL OF STRONG HINDUS…SO THE NEXT GENERATIONS WOULD KEEP THE FAITH OF THE OLDEST AND MOST PUREST RELIGION IN THE WORLD!!! “JAI SHREE KRISHNA”!!!!!!!
October 9th, 2006 at 10:11 pm
There is much beauty and visual excitement in the designs, colors, and forms used in Hindu art, and I don’t see anything wrong in taking advantage of those in the decoration of any setting. However, when images pertaining to deva, mantras, etc., are concerned, firstly there is simply no reason for their use outside of a temple or puja setting. Secondly, such imagery was designed with the purpose of exciting the mind to bhakti and awareness of the various attributes (of
God) of the deva or states of mind imaged, and any use of such in a situation that does not provide the highest level of respect is just plain demeaning and rude. It cannot foster any positive attitude toward Hinduism or Hindus because the cheapening of icons only reinforces the other public’s attitude that our beloved imagery and believes are just some cheap tribal voodoo which may be entertaining for a moment but which eventually needs to be overcome and stamped out. If we’re not going to respect ourselves and Dharma, we should at least respect the beliefs of our ancestors.
October 13th, 2006 at 11:04 am
I always wonder these things happen because of the extreme tolerability of Hinduism. Would they be interested or agree to spread Christianity and Islam in the way they claim to spread Hinduism.
Who are these people to spread hinduism, when they know nothing about it. Their action shows they are less than human beings (I could not dream of any other decent terms) and who are not bothered about hurting the real humans religious beliefs.
I ewntirely agree with NAVIN and SUDDHI
October 18th, 2006 at 10:36 am
Firstly, I do not believe that by positng our dieties on club walls will enhance our religion. How can this be so? Our culture is Eastern not Western. People in the West have used Christ as a fashion image and will continue to do so. You will not see such idiotic acts from Islam-why? Because they are firm about what is right and what is wrong and thats why they deserve to be applauded for their unity.
Back to hinduism- People themselves dont know the meaning of the Aum let alone about our holy scriptures, our dieties are often referred to as “monkey god” and the god with a snake around his neck- this is how uneducated hindu childern have become and these very same people will grow up to be “supposed hindus” and naturaaly then they will think its ok to have images of gods in clubs. Bu if you look at the very core of hinduism- ask yourself is this really what the scriptures are saying or are we juts changing it to suit our needs!!
October 18th, 2006 at 10:38 am
Firstly, I do not believe that by posting our deities on club walls will enhance our religion. How can this be so? Our culture is Eastern not Western. People in the West have used Christ as a fashion image and will continue to do so. You will not see such idiotic acts from Islam-why? Because they are firm about what is right and what is wrong and that’s why they deserve to be applauded for their unity.
Back to Hinduism- People themselves don’t know the meaning of the Aum let alone about our holy scriptures, our deities are often referred to as “monkey god” and the god with a snake around his neck- this is how uneducated Hindu children have become and these very same people will grow up to be “supposed Hindus” and naturally then they will think its ok to have images of gods in clubs. Bu if you look at the very core of Hinduism- ask yourself is this really what the scriptures are saying or are we juts changing it to suit our needs!!
October 18th, 2006 at 10:44 am
Karma,
This is not about getting in a twist but it shows the underlying ignorance by Hindu’s. As in reality these people dont have a clue about our religion. It is shocking to see that people actually support the idea of having images posted in a club. The problem was that when Hindus came to England they left their country behind and slowly they are leaving their values behind.
It is Kalyug and it is said things will be going down hill- so i guess the only thing is to armour yourself with knowledge about your religion. Don’t listen to misfits who think its ok to do all these things as it will only be a cause of rebirth and you’ll have no right to claim on Moksha as long as you remain attached to this world. If your desires are not eradicated then how ill you be able to stay in heaven?
October 21st, 2006 at 4:08 pm
Speaking of the ignor-ance of the Hindus, we do not believe in “God” nor is there in any “Lord” in Hindu Dharma. Would Christians use “Brahman” in place of “God” or refer to “Isvara Jesus?”
Hindus have also fully capitulated on the modern perversion of Yoga. It is no wonder that many non-Hindus do not take Hindu Dharma seriously when it appears to mean little to many Hindus.
At Dharma Yoga Ashram (Classical Yoga Hindu Academy) we work to help clarify Hindu Dharma despite opposition often by many Hindus.
November 12th, 2006 at 8:20 am
HEHEHEHHE…
Maja aa gaya
November 13th, 2006 at 11:41 am
Sunny self righteous veggie Hindus like you are usually the ones that do the least for defending Dharma. I ain’t starting anything with vegiterian hindus.
But I already have met the likes of you and the stereotype is usually true. Just like the RSS chuddiwalas that do nothing, while the Hindu public does most of the work. I
December 22nd, 2006 at 3:40 am
The Hindu Voice UK took the right action in protesting verbally to the night club owner but I wonder whether this protest was not taken up with local politicians in the area when the night club owner refuse to co-operate and if it was what was their (politicians) response? I think we Hindus should address our concerns at the highest level and let the world know that we value our religion and feel offended when it is being misused in the same way as the Muslims, Christians or any others do; but we should not behave like an uncontrolabe mob like some of the others do.
December 31st, 2006 at 8:22 pm
I think this entire issue is begging for us to draw onto the religion vs cultural/tradition debate. Historically speaking, Hinduism is probably one of the most liberal religions that have remained to this present day. I take pride in the fact of identifying with a religion that depicts Gods and deities as almost ‘human’. Take Shiva for example. He represents destruction (and ineffecitvely creation), which lies at the very heart of Hinduism. He is depicted in a vareity of forms, and without a doubt the epitome of ‘godliness’, but He is not perfect (nor do I think He intends to be either). He drinks, He smokes and pretty much does the things us ‘lesser’ beings are inclined and tempted to do. So, what I am getting at, is this;
Socially and culturally speaking,coming across Hindu deities in nightclubs is offensive and is probably not a very wise thing to do as it is naturally going to create a negative reaction.
BUT, religiously, aesthetically and spiritually speaking, I really can’t see a major ‘problem’ with it, and I don’t think ‘God’ (at least in the Hindu sense) would really mind either. If i had a nightclub, i really don’t think i would hesitate on putting up a few Hindu deities around the place.
But the difference is that I label myself as a ‘Hindu’, and have an understanding of what the religion is about. Unfortunately, many don’t and use Hindu imagery as a fashion accessory. Theres so much more to Hinduism than its ‘cool’ factor.
May 9th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Just as the Christian missionary system does not permeate or herald a Hindu Brahmin Priest to be their POPE or CLERGY CHURCH PRIEST, why must HINDU’S allow a white man, Christian to own, run, propagate and even rule HINDUISM under his own umbrella? If this is not another shape of imperialism, what else is it? Why are such intellectuals as David Frawley and many others who claim to be such saints of HINDUISM not tell us about their youth criminal records, youth drug abuses, youth sexual abuses, and perversions of their private live styles? In the name of religion any intellectual with a high I.Q., pretend, falsely, to be demi-gods, living avatars and much more pathetic ridiculous leaders of many cults, sects, institutional religious organisations, and even claim to be future owners of BHARATI-Vedic-Brahm_vaidya-sankskrutti. I have nothing against “Christianity” or “Islam”; every religion has a rightful place in the human society and every single flower has its own divinity. A carnation flower can never become a rose and vice versa. The properties of every pebble on the shore are different yet they are alike in formations - ie. smoothened by the moisture and water. A pebble cannot speak, speechless; it manifests the GLORY of divine celestial BRAHM-Eishvaara_paramAtman. Bhagavan, Eishvaara, Allah, is ONE but many rivers take shape, form and journey in KARMA in the passage of time to eventually merge in grand divine fusion of twilight of the dawn and the dusk whereat the teeming vast sky meets the divine grand ocean in an elixir of a kiss from the orange hue of the sun….divine. Let us remove all the FALSE OWNERSHIP AND REALISE THAT between our spirit of life and the Supreme Sun God there is only EGO that blocks all the divinity in false ownership, false names, falsities, false divisions, false propagandas, false politics, false images, and false missionaries. Any false missionary movement and false religious institutional regimental program always has a corrupt leader, corrupt policies and corrupt intentions. One is measured by one’s divine intentions, integrity, sincerity, humility, and honesty, not by one’s status. One’s status does not imply one is ‘dharmic’ or ‘adhyAtmic’. Our main goal as SANATANI’S OR HINDUS ALL OVER THE WORLD IS TO PROTECT DHARMA, FOR ONE WHO PROTECTS DHARMA, DHARMA PROTECTS ONE IN RETURN AXIOMATICALLY….Our main goal as Hindus is TO PROTECT OUR BIRTH RIGHT DHARMA our IDENTITY, our MOTHER INDIA – BHARATI – Believe you me, Bharati will be the leading nation in the world after another fifty years as we all awake and arise to this gesture of DIVINITY by faith and trust, restoring faith and trust back into our spirit of life, life spirit and life! Jaya Hind.