One good reply:
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->A lesson in genetics is needed by the author as well as distinguishinging between erotic art and Soho phone booths; the latter of which he appears all too familiar with. The female offspring of an upper class male and upper class female would be genetically quite different to the female offspring of a lower class female and lower class male. Where there was a union between an upper class male and lower class female, this wold have added genetic variety producing a half caste. NB There would be half caste males and female offspring, presumably raised by the lower class mother as lower class offspring. Thus it is impossible to keep a difference in the genetics of the male offspring only.
I'd be interested to know where this research has come from, its validity to scientific scrutiny and if it exists at all. It makes one wonder as to the fact behind the rest of the article.
The second point is about the author's comments on the alleged fact that temple prostitution was a feature of Hinduism. It may well have taken place, but to say that man using religion to further his own ends is a feature of the religion itself, is to say that the slaughter of thousands of innocent Muslims in the Crusades is a fundamental pillar of Christianity. Overall, rubbish article, bordering on deeply offensive, poorly researched. Shocked to see it get passed the editor of an allegedly reputable newspaper.
Dr James Van der Duke, Leeds, Yorkshire
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<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->"...they advertised their wares as brothels always have." Mr Kealey might have made one or two enquiries as to the actual meaning of the temple gateway images that so fascinated him before arriving at his theory. They depict worldly pleasures that the spiritual aspirant is symbolically, and indeed actually, leaving behind on his quest for perfection. One has to pass them in order to enter the temple and see the image of God, just as one has to pass over sensual pleasures in order to reach the Lord in truth. It is easy to find licentiousness and despotism among the claimed adherents of any religion, and it does not necessarily reflect in any way on that religion's theology. If one wants to truly understand a faith then a good start might be to examine the character of its revered saints. Hindu saints throughout history have almost always been renuniciants and celibates of the highest moral character. That remains the case to this very day.
Zahra Aftab, Watford, England
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<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->A lesson in genetics is needed by the author as well as distinguishinging between erotic art and Soho phone booths; the latter of which he appears all too familiar with. The female offspring of an upper class male and upper class female would be genetically quite different to the female offspring of a lower class female and lower class male. Where there was a union between an upper class male and lower class female, this wold have added genetic variety producing a half caste. NB There would be half caste males and female offspring, presumably raised by the lower class mother as lower class offspring. Thus it is impossible to keep a difference in the genetics of the male offspring only.
I'd be interested to know where this research has come from, its validity to scientific scrutiny and if it exists at all. It makes one wonder as to the fact behind the rest of the article.
The second point is about the author's comments on the alleged fact that temple prostitution was a feature of Hinduism. It may well have taken place, but to say that man using religion to further his own ends is a feature of the religion itself, is to say that the slaughter of thousands of innocent Muslims in the Crusades is a fundamental pillar of Christianity. Overall, rubbish article, bordering on deeply offensive, poorly researched. Shocked to see it get passed the editor of an allegedly reputable newspaper.
Dr James Van der Duke, Leeds, Yorkshire
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->"...they advertised their wares as brothels always have." Mr Kealey might have made one or two enquiries as to the actual meaning of the temple gateway images that so fascinated him before arriving at his theory. They depict worldly pleasures that the spiritual aspirant is symbolically, and indeed actually, leaving behind on his quest for perfection. One has to pass them in order to enter the temple and see the image of God, just as one has to pass over sensual pleasures in order to reach the Lord in truth. It is easy to find licentiousness and despotism among the claimed adherents of any religion, and it does not necessarily reflect in any way on that religion's theology. If one wants to truly understand a faith then a good start might be to examine the character of its revered saints. Hindu saints throughout history have almost always been renuniciants and celibates of the highest moral character. That remains the case to this very day.
Zahra Aftab, Watford, England
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