tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113775742099258769.post393839114149317011..comments2020-06-22T16:20:46.495-07:00Comments on Mr. Smith Goes To Delhi: Mrs. Smith's Wish ListMr. Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15289611422480889496noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113775742099258769.post-17744847105881309242010-05-20T08:22:13.778-07:002010-05-20T08:22:13.778-07:00I can't really speak for most christians. I wo...I can't really speak for most christians. I would say, however, that you are right that most US christians are anti-communist. There is no excuse for religious violence, in my opinion - be it christian, muslim, hindu, jewish or any other religion. If all people will live what they profess to believe, our world will be a much better place for all.<br /><br />Mr SmithAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113775742099258769.post-65199517689028129572010-05-20T07:44:20.977-07:002010-05-20T07:44:20.977-07:00That's interesting because most Christians I k...That's interesting because most Christians I know in the state are "anti-commie". <br />...........<br /><br />Mistake. Should read:<br /><br />That's interesting because most Christians I know in the United States of America are "anti-commie".American Shaivitenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113775742099258769.post-80607784166064005532010-05-20T07:43:11.757-07:002010-05-20T07:43:11.757-07:00Hmmmm. Odd. I've googled "maoist-christi...Hmmmm. Odd. I've googled "maoist-christian alliance India" and it does appear that there is some sort of thing taking place in the Northeast region of the country. <br /><br />That's interesting because most Christians I know in the state are "anti-commie". <br /><br />It is unfortunate that people are willing to engage in violence over things that cannot be scientifically proven: religious figures and beliefs.<br /><br />I know that India has a long history of accomodating many different faiths and way of life, so of course this is due to political interference, trying to drum up "communal" sentiments.<br /><br />That all being said, I never understood this whole "conversion business" that takes place around the world.<br /><br />I've found that people do best when they stick to the religions that are indigenous to their lands. <br /><br />It is more congruent to the environment and culture.American Shaivitenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113775742099258769.post-15305086028008371412010-05-19T22:01:11.202-07:002010-05-19T22:01:11.202-07:00From what I have read, this particular Swami was k...From what I have read, this particular Swami was known for reconverting Hindus that had converted to Christianity. After his murder, the police came out and said that they had a letter from a Maoist organization (a political group) claiming responsibility. Almost immediately high ranking Maoists denied any knowledge of or part in the death and public suspicion turned to the Christians. It was quickly confirmed that it had been a smaller, radical Maoist group, but the anger over Swami Lakshmanananda's death had already found an outlet.Mrs. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14044255357653198954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113775742099258769.post-62498587588831224102010-05-19T11:28:15.251-07:002010-05-19T11:28:15.251-07:00I don't understand why Christian homes and chu...I don't understand why Christian homes and churches would be destroyed because Maoists killed a prominant Hindu figure. Were the Maosists also Christians? Is there a Christian-Maoist alliance in India?American Shaivitenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113775742099258769.post-44568230899744450952010-05-19T03:55:53.524-07:002010-05-19T03:55:53.524-07:00Thanks for your comments. Our experiences are told...Thanks for your comments. Our experiences are told from our unique perspective. They are not written to please anyone in particular, merely to tell our tale.<br /><br />Kind regards,<br /><br />Mr SmithAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113775742099258769.post-57608546414346685082010-05-19T01:49:35.275-07:002010-05-19T01:49:35.275-07:00The bombings that sparked this particular post kil...The bombings that sparked this particular post killed at least 30 people and injured more than 100. I am not sure how many shops were damaged. <br /><br />The violence I mentioned in southern India (at least south of New Delhi, where we were at the time) was in response to the murder of Swami Lakshmanananda by Maoists. During the month that followed, the official death toll was around 38. Dozens of churches and prayer houses as well as about 4000 homes were burned, thousands of people were injured, and somewhere between 20,000 and 50,000 people fled their homes. <br /><br />I am very sorry if it seemed I was picking on Hindus, the two events just happened to coincide. Sadly I cannot think of a major religion, including Christianity, that does not have those within it who look for excuses to turn to violence.<br /><br />One last note, my family and I did not move to India to practice our faith. We were moved there by Mr. Smith's employer for business purposes. Luckily, the democracy of India allowed us to worship openly while we were there, even when it upset local politicos. You are right, the native land to which Mr. Smith and I were born does allow us, and everyone else, to practice our own faith; however, we would practice our faith no matter where we lived.Mrs. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14044255357653198954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113775742099258769.post-91712141028254150922010-05-18T19:56:57.262-07:002010-05-18T19:56:57.262-07:00"Before we become too comfortable with our st..."Before we become too comfortable with our stereotypes, there is a group of militant Hindus that are causing just as much death and destruction in southern India."<br /><br />Really? Just as much death and destruction as Muslim terrorists are causing? Any statistics?<br /><br />I'm also a little confused as to why you would move all the way to India just to practice your faith.<br />Couldn't you have practiced it in your native land?American Shaivitenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113775742099258769.post-32816414360841440852009-01-25T20:45:00.000-08:002009-01-25T20:45:00.000-08:00I've had a rough day today, twisting over what see...I've had a rough day today, twisting over what seems like a cream puff past in comparison to what your family and congregation have faced.<BR/><BR/>Are you still able to use the building without the signs? Have there been any other threats?<BR/><BR/>I would be happy to be lumped in with your family as Christians and Americans. I'm not a Mormon but some of the best people I know are.Hunnydu72https://www.blogger.com/profile/17475282201035026895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113775742099258769.post-4994923690350480352008-09-22T04:24:00.000-07:002008-09-22T04:24:00.000-07:00Some random thoughts as I read this post:When we m...Some random thoughts as I read this post:<BR/><BR/>When we moved to India, we knew there would be challenges. We have faced several, and mrs smith has described them so eloquently and comedically all at once. This challenge is different. It is not just about us. It is about several people with whom we attend church. It is about the anti-christian fire that is currently burning across the country of India. It is about the basic, fundamental right to worship, which is also guaranteed in this, the largest democracy in the world. It is about politics and power. It is about choosing where we stand in this world - irrespective of faith.<BR/><BR/>India is a wonderful country. Its people are warm, generous, amazing people. We have felt welcomed and embraced almost all of the time. Today it feels different. Yesterday I commented to one of the people with whom I was walking home, "feels like everyone is watching us right now, doesn't it?" They agreed.<BR/><BR/>It doesn't matter where we attend church. It doesn't matter what christian faith we represent. Some young friends of ours were called and warned by some other people of a different christian demonination who were also being warned of impending danger. Everyone is feeling the concern, and the eyes of the neighborhood, city, state, country and world are upon all of us - or so it feels. <BR/><BR/>"All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing." -- Edmund Burke<BR/><BR/>It seems that doing nothing is not okay, and doing the something we would prefer to do is also not okay. Sometimes it is very hard to know which to choose.<BR/><BR/>And on a humorous note - I have some christian friends who see mormonism as a cult, as not true christianity. They say the Jesus Christ in our faith is not the same as in theirs. That's ok. One of the fundamental tenets of our faith is that we allow all people to worship as they feel they should, "how, where and what they may." Still, I can't help but wonder how they would feel about coming here with us and being lumped in together as christians. :o) Makes me warm and fuzzy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113775742099258769.post-9247750005905043022008-09-22T03:22:00.000-07:002008-09-22T03:22:00.000-07:00Wow, so hard to believe that is going on. I wonder...Wow, so hard to believe that is going on. I wonder if there has been any issues with our building in VV? Good luck!Special Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08521917225136812759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113775742099258769.post-50785568942658538132008-09-19T20:24:00.000-07:002008-09-19T20:24:00.000-07:00I, too, wish religion and politics weren't often p...I, too, wish religion and politics weren't often partners in crime.<BR/><BR/>The business with your plaque is very unsettling.Mrs. G.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01171997573144385692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113775742099258769.post-84249121051454103842008-09-18T18:01:00.000-07:002008-09-18T18:01:00.000-07:00Scary! My thoughts and prayers will be with you a...Scary! My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family and your little branch. I really didn't think things like that still exsisted these days. I hope things get better!!lauralquintonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18128497378057137441noreply@blogger.com