10-01-2006, 09:07 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Your comment as to whether I have taught mother tongue to any child, yes I have but that has no bearing and relevance in the topic under discussion. My personal contribution to the cause we are discussing has not much relivence. Give positive suggestions, face the problem straight, there is no point dodging the issue.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Ravish, forgive me for interrupting, but it appears to me that:
Given the fact that, we are not going to be able to overthrow or capture the GOI anytime in the near future, <b>the only thing that matters is really our personal contribution</b>.
We must understand this fact:
1. Our aim (for a more traditional and less universalist practice of Hinduism) is primarily religious.
2. Many Hindus are quite comfortable with the current situation, and do not wish to disturb the status quo. The consequences of our collective blindness are not apparent to them.
3. Even if we were able to capture power and impose our religious preferences on the current lot of Hindus, they will find a way to escape these preferences.
So, I see only three ways to go from here to where we want to be:
1. Teach our children the religious tradition and the linguistic traditions of our ancestors.
2. This is the era of unlimited choice. So, <b>consciously choose our engagement (or disengagement) with each and every aspect of the modern world</b>. So,
a. we can choose to <i>not watch TV</i>,
b. we can choose to <i>not become addicted to the Web</i>,
c. we can choose to <i>perform religious worship and rituals in-home</i>,
d. we can choose to <i>keep our homes cleansed of influences from other religions</i>,
e. we can choose to hire a priest (alone or with others) to teach our children about Hinduism.
Or, <b>we can choose not to</b>.
3. Persuade others to do (1) and (2).
As far as (3) is concerned, I see no alternative to <b>systematic religious schooling</b>, in the form of pAThaSAlAs before/after normal school. Perhaps, lasting as long as 12 years, like secular schooling. Other religions have done this:
Islam has its Madrasas. In some of these, young students go to Madrasas in the early morning, and go to secular schools later in the day.
Orthodox Judaism has its "Orthodox Day Schools" in the US. I understand that secular and religious instruction is taught here for 12 years.
Before I forget, here is point (4): <b>Accept that we will not be able to persuade all people</b>.
Ravish, forgive me for interrupting, but it appears to me that:
Given the fact that, we are not going to be able to overthrow or capture the GOI anytime in the near future, <b>the only thing that matters is really our personal contribution</b>.
We must understand this fact:
1. Our aim (for a more traditional and less universalist practice of Hinduism) is primarily religious.
2. Many Hindus are quite comfortable with the current situation, and do not wish to disturb the status quo. The consequences of our collective blindness are not apparent to them.
3. Even if we were able to capture power and impose our religious preferences on the current lot of Hindus, they will find a way to escape these preferences.
So, I see only three ways to go from here to where we want to be:
1. Teach our children the religious tradition and the linguistic traditions of our ancestors.
2. This is the era of unlimited choice. So, <b>consciously choose our engagement (or disengagement) with each and every aspect of the modern world</b>. So,
a. we can choose to <i>not watch TV</i>,
b. we can choose to <i>not become addicted to the Web</i>,
c. we can choose to <i>perform religious worship and rituals in-home</i>,
d. we can choose to <i>keep our homes cleansed of influences from other religions</i>,
e. we can choose to hire a priest (alone or with others) to teach our children about Hinduism.
Or, <b>we can choose not to</b>.
3. Persuade others to do (1) and (2).
As far as (3) is concerned, I see no alternative to <b>systematic religious schooling</b>, in the form of pAThaSAlAs before/after normal school. Perhaps, lasting as long as 12 years, like secular schooling. Other religions have done this:
Islam has its Madrasas. In some of these, young students go to Madrasas in the early morning, and go to secular schools later in the day.
Orthodox Judaism has its "Orthodox Day Schools" in the US. I understand that secular and religious instruction is taught here for 12 years.
Before I forget, here is point (4): <b>Accept that we will not be able to persuade all people</b>.