'Hindu Terror' and 'Saffron Terror' have become the most popular words for the media (especially English media) in India these few days. As usual, the credit for the 'invention' of this word goes to the communists. I wonder whether these self styled 'secularists' (be it the politicians or the 'editors' of various english newspapers or the 'analysts' of the news channels) have ever given thought about what the term means (or accuses) and why is it that Hindus like me oppose the term.
When I say 'Islamic terrorism', the reason for the usage of that term is very simple: Islam envisages Jihad against the non-believers (especially the Pagans). Jihadis use the Quranic verses to justify their actions. They cite from the Hadiths to show that their actions are sanctioned by Allah. Take for example, the case of the 9/11 hijackers or even Indian Mujahideen's letters after the Ahmedabad blasts. The terrorist activities are driven by the Islamic theology and doctrine. Apologists make great claims stating that Islam is a religion of peace and that the 'verse of sword' (Quran 9.5) should be read in the right context (that is we should blindly accept whatever they say about that verse). They also claim that Jihad is more an 'internal struggle'. More popular is the quote 'To you your religion and to me my religion' which is used by the apologists to 'show' that Islam is a very 'tolerant' religion. Their belief is that since most non-Muslims never read the Quran and even the few who read it never bother to read the traditional orthodox commentaries (they do not know how the Mullahs interpret Quran nor do they know about the peculiar features involved in it). There is something called the 'doctrine of abrogation' (which finds mention in Quran 2.106 and 16.101). According to this, when two verses appear to be conflicting, the later verses (or 'revelations' as the Muslims claim it to be) are to be considered as valid as the later verses abrogate the earlier verses upon the subject. In this context, verse of sword is the last revelation on the Jihadi policy. Let us see what the verse says:
“Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful”.
The only option for Pagans like me is 'death' or 'conversion'. The same policy was applied to the Hindus of Malabar by Tipu Sultan of Mysore. The 'jihadis' do their 'holy' acts of war (terrorist attacks) based on this verse and many such verses. Their acts of terrorism are supported by the Islamic doctrine. Hence, it is called 'Islamic terrorism'. Just like the holocaust is considered as 'Nazi act' (it is not called German terrorism) as Holocaust was sponsored and supported by the Nazi doctrine.
This is exactly the reason why I oppose the term 'Hindu terror(ism)'. Are such acts sponsored by Hindu theology? The answer is a huge 'no'. Some Hindus (even if the number of such terrorists are in thousands) may indulge in terrorist activies misguided in thier anger towards the jihadis. Such acts are deplorable. But I can understand the frustation behind those acts. After all, the media and the secular politicians still cries for the 790 Muslims who were killed during the post-Godhra riots but it does not care about the 254 Hindus who were killed during the same riots nor does it care about the Hindus who were killed at the Godhra carnage. The media has never shed so much tears for the thousands of Hindus who have become the victims of Islamic terrorism in J&K and other parts of this nation. It makes me wonder whether they consider the 'Hindu lives' to be much cheaper compared to the precious 'Muslim lives'. Whatever be the situation, I still cannot (and will not) condone terror acts committed by these misguided Hindus. But such acts cannot be called 'Hindu terrorism' because their acts are not propelled by Hindu theology. Such acts are not sanctioned by the Hindu texts nor do the the perperators claim that such acts 'reserve a space in heaven among the houris'. Being so, how can the word 'Hindu terror' be used in any context. It is neither driven nor supported by Hindu theology. Just because some Hindus involve in terrorist activities, it cannot be called 'Hindu terror'. Let us assume some journalists killed a few people in terrorist activities. Will it be called 'journalist terrorism'? We may say that those journalists are terrorists but it will never be nor can it be called as 'journalists terrorism'. Similar is the case with the present situation. Some Hindus may have become terrorists. But there is nothing called 'Hindu terrorism'. What has happened is a misguided reaction to the attacks on the Hindus. It is not driven by some 'holy book' preaching a '(un)holy war' against 'non-believers'.
May some common-sense prevail upon the 'media-wallahs'.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
Terrorism in Bible - Esther
Esther 8.9 to 12 – “Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and the rulers of the provinces which are from India to Ethiopia, a hundred and twenty seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.
And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:
Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,
Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month which is the month Adar.” (Cited from KJV Bible)
The above verses show the utter brutality of the ‘God’s chosen people’. Did the children plot to kill the Jews? Why do they always insist on killing the innocent little ones?
8.17 – It mentions that many people converted to Judaism due to the fear of being killed. The same tactic has been used for centuries together by the Church to convert the pagans – kill the pagans unless they convert. The inhuman acts of Christianity in the Americas, in parts of India and Africa are well known in history.
And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:
Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,
Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month which is the month Adar.” (Cited from KJV Bible)
The above verses show the utter brutality of the ‘God’s chosen people’. Did the children plot to kill the Jews? Why do they always insist on killing the innocent little ones?
8.17 – It mentions that many people converted to Judaism due to the fear of being killed. The same tactic has been used for centuries together by the Church to convert the pagans – kill the pagans unless they convert. The inhuman acts of Christianity in the Americas, in parts of India and Africa are well known in history.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Terrorism in Bible - 1 Chronicles & 2 Chronicles
1 Chronicles
5.25, 26: The Israelites worshipped other Gods. Biblical God lost his temper and inspired the Assyrians to attack the Israelites and enslave them.
15.2, 3: God remembers how the Amalekites attacked the Israelites when the latter returned from Egypt (this happened centuries ago). As a revenge for that God ordered Saul to kill all the Amalekites – men, women, infant, suckling and even ox, sheep, camel and ass.
15.18, 19: Saul did evil in the eyes of God by not killing all Amalekites.
15.23: Saul did not kill all the Amalekites and so God deposed Saul from the throne of Israel.
15.32, 33: Samuel cuts the king of Amalek into pieces before God.
2 Chronicles
14.2-5: Asa destroyed the images of various Gods and forbade the worship of deities in local shrines. This act is considered as ‘good’ and ‘right’ in the eyes of God.
15.13: “That whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel should be put to death, whether great or small, whether man or woman.”
15.16: Asa broke down the image of God worshipped by his mother and removed her from being a queen (because she worshipped an idol of God).
22.7-9: Jehu killed everyone of the house of Ahab as commanded by God.
23.17: The temple of Baal was destroyed and His priest was killed as per the orders of Jehoiada, the priest of the Biblical God.
25.11, 12: Amaziah, who did was right in the eyes of God but not with a perfect heart (25.2), killed 10,000 people in the valley of salt and held as captive 10,000 others whom he killed by throwing down the mountain so that they shall be broken into pieces.
28.6-8: Pekah killed 120,000 men and enslaved 200,000 women and children because they had forsaken the Biblical God.
34.2-5: Josiah did what was right in the eyes of God by destroying the images of Gods, destroyed the altars of Baalim and burnt the bones of the Pagan priests upon the altars.
5.25, 26: The Israelites worshipped other Gods. Biblical God lost his temper and inspired the Assyrians to attack the Israelites and enslave them.
15.2, 3: God remembers how the Amalekites attacked the Israelites when the latter returned from Egypt (this happened centuries ago). As a revenge for that God ordered Saul to kill all the Amalekites – men, women, infant, suckling and even ox, sheep, camel and ass.
15.18, 19: Saul did evil in the eyes of God by not killing all Amalekites.
15.23: Saul did not kill all the Amalekites and so God deposed Saul from the throne of Israel.
15.32, 33: Samuel cuts the king of Amalek into pieces before God.
2 Chronicles
14.2-5: Asa destroyed the images of various Gods and forbade the worship of deities in local shrines. This act is considered as ‘good’ and ‘right’ in the eyes of God.
15.13: “That whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel should be put to death, whether great or small, whether man or woman.”
15.16: Asa broke down the image of God worshipped by his mother and removed her from being a queen (because she worshipped an idol of God).
22.7-9: Jehu killed everyone of the house of Ahab as commanded by God.
23.17: The temple of Baal was destroyed and His priest was killed as per the orders of Jehoiada, the priest of the Biblical God.
25.11, 12: Amaziah, who did was right in the eyes of God but not with a perfect heart (25.2), killed 10,000 people in the valley of salt and held as captive 10,000 others whom he killed by throwing down the mountain so that they shall be broken into pieces.
28.6-8: Pekah killed 120,000 men and enslaved 200,000 women and children because they had forsaken the Biblical God.
34.2-5: Josiah did what was right in the eyes of God by destroying the images of Gods, destroyed the altars of Baalim and burnt the bones of the Pagan priests upon the altars.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Terrorism in Bible - 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings
Terrorism in Bible
2 Samuel
8.2 – David kills two-thirds of the population of the city of Moab and enslaves the rest one-third.
1 Kings
11.16 – Joab stays in Edom for six months and he killed every male of Edom.
15.29 – The entire house of Jeroboam was slaughtered as per the command of God or God’s prophecy.
2 Kings
1.9-12 – Elijah brings fire from heaven to burn to death 102 people (for worshipping ‘false God’? They did not harm Elijah, so why burn them to death?).
2.23,24 – Little children mock the bald head of Elijah and hence, Elijah curses them. God sends two she-bears and they tear apart the 42 children who mocked Elijah. (Some people claim that the translation is wrong. It could have been young men as well. Even then, is it right for God to kill these ‘men’ in a horrible way just because they mocked the prophet? It appears barbaric and is unbefitting of God)
10.17 – To show his zeal for God, Jehu kills the entire population unto Ahab in Samaria as per the word of God.
10.19-27 – Jehu lies to the followers of Baal claiming that he is going to serve Baal. He brings all the followers of Baal together in the temple of Baal and then sends his troops in to massacre them. The images of Baal were burnt and His temple was destroyed.
10.30 – God is satisfied with all the slaughter of Pagans that Jehu has made and also his slaughter of the house of Ahab. Hence, God proclaims that the children of the fourth generation of Jehu shall sit upon the throne of Israel. There is a reward for such ‘pious terrorist’ activities.
11.18 – The Lord’s people went to the temple of Baal and destroyed it. They killed the priest before the altars.
17.25,26 – The foreigners who settled in Samaria are killed by lions (which were sent by God) because they did not fear God nor did they know the manner of the God of the land. (Perhaps God thought that killing them will teach them manners of God?)
23.20 – King Josiah kills all the Pagan priests upon the altars and burns their bones upon it.
2 Samuel
8.2 – David kills two-thirds of the population of the city of Moab and enslaves the rest one-third.
1 Kings
11.16 – Joab stays in Edom for six months and he killed every male of Edom.
15.29 – The entire house of Jeroboam was slaughtered as per the command of God or God’s prophecy.
2 Kings
1.9-12 – Elijah brings fire from heaven to burn to death 102 people (for worshipping ‘false God’? They did not harm Elijah, so why burn them to death?).
2.23,24 – Little children mock the bald head of Elijah and hence, Elijah curses them. God sends two she-bears and they tear apart the 42 children who mocked Elijah. (Some people claim that the translation is wrong. It could have been young men as well. Even then, is it right for God to kill these ‘men’ in a horrible way just because they mocked the prophet? It appears barbaric and is unbefitting of God)
10.17 – To show his zeal for God, Jehu kills the entire population unto Ahab in Samaria as per the word of God.
10.19-27 – Jehu lies to the followers of Baal claiming that he is going to serve Baal. He brings all the followers of Baal together in the temple of Baal and then sends his troops in to massacre them. The images of Baal were burnt and His temple was destroyed.
10.30 – God is satisfied with all the slaughter of Pagans that Jehu has made and also his slaughter of the house of Ahab. Hence, God proclaims that the children of the fourth generation of Jehu shall sit upon the throne of Israel. There is a reward for such ‘pious terrorist’ activities.
11.18 – The Lord’s people went to the temple of Baal and destroyed it. They killed the priest before the altars.
17.25,26 – The foreigners who settled in Samaria are killed by lions (which were sent by God) because they did not fear God nor did they know the manner of the God of the land. (Perhaps God thought that killing them will teach them manners of God?)
23.20 – King Josiah kills all the Pagan priests upon the altars and burns their bones upon it.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Terrorism in Bible - 1 Samuel
1 Samuel
2.10: The adversaries of God shall be broken to pieces and struck with thunder. (From what we have seen before, anyone who doesn’t believe in Jehovah appears to be an adversary. As such, let non-believers be careful – God may zap you with a thunder)
2.31-34: If God gets angry with you, he will not only kill you brutally but your family and descendants as well.
6.19: God killed 50,070 men of Bethshemesh for looking into his ark. (It seems God does not know about anything about ‘forgiveness’, ‘mercy’ etc. I mean just looking into the ark does not destroy or bring woe upon the fellow humans. It is no reason for giving death sentence. What sort of God is this? In my opinion, death sentence must be given to this God as the first duty before anything else)
14.12: God delivers the Philistines into Jonathan’s hands for him to slaughter them.
14.20: God makes the Philistines kill each other.
15.2-3: God orders to kill people of Amalek (as He remembers what their forefathers did aeons ago). So He orders to kill all the Amalekites – men, women, infant and suckling. Not only them but animals as well – He orders to kill sheep, ox, camel and ass (whatever did the children and animals do? Whatever did these adults do? Is it right to kill a whole tribe for what their forefathers did aeons ago?)
15.7-8: Saul killed all the people of Amalek.
15.10: God is dissatisfied with Saul because he spared the King of Amalekites and the best of their animals.
15.19: Saul committed sins in the eye of the Lord by not killing the king and some animals.
15.23: Because Saul committed sin by not following God’s orders to the letter, God rejected him from being king.
15.33: To please God, Samuel hacks the king of Amalek to pieces before God in Gilgal.
23.2-5: David asks God’s permission to kill the Philistines. God gives his assent. Therefore, David kills them in great slaughter.
25.22: David vows to kill anyone that pisses against the wall. Isn’t there any other punishment for this? Perhaps they are simply bloodthirsty – both God and his servants.
25.38: God kills Nabal. David is benefited by this killing as takes over Nabal’s wife and property.
27.8-11: David killed every man and woman in the land of Geshurites, Gezrites and Amalekites.
30.17: David kills all the Amalekites except 400 young men who escaped upon camels.
2.10: The adversaries of God shall be broken to pieces and struck with thunder. (From what we have seen before, anyone who doesn’t believe in Jehovah appears to be an adversary. As such, let non-believers be careful – God may zap you with a thunder)
2.31-34: If God gets angry with you, he will not only kill you brutally but your family and descendants as well.
6.19: God killed 50,070 men of Bethshemesh for looking into his ark. (It seems God does not know about anything about ‘forgiveness’, ‘mercy’ etc. I mean just looking into the ark does not destroy or bring woe upon the fellow humans. It is no reason for giving death sentence. What sort of God is this? In my opinion, death sentence must be given to this God as the first duty before anything else)
14.12: God delivers the Philistines into Jonathan’s hands for him to slaughter them.
14.20: God makes the Philistines kill each other.
15.2-3: God orders to kill people of Amalek (as He remembers what their forefathers did aeons ago). So He orders to kill all the Amalekites – men, women, infant and suckling. Not only them but animals as well – He orders to kill sheep, ox, camel and ass (whatever did the children and animals do? Whatever did these adults do? Is it right to kill a whole tribe for what their forefathers did aeons ago?)
15.7-8: Saul killed all the people of Amalek.
15.10: God is dissatisfied with Saul because he spared the King of Amalekites and the best of their animals.
15.19: Saul committed sins in the eye of the Lord by not killing the king and some animals.
15.23: Because Saul committed sin by not following God’s orders to the letter, God rejected him from being king.
15.33: To please God, Samuel hacks the king of Amalek to pieces before God in Gilgal.
23.2-5: David asks God’s permission to kill the Philistines. God gives his assent. Therefore, David kills them in great slaughter.
25.22: David vows to kill anyone that pisses against the wall. Isn’t there any other punishment for this? Perhaps they are simply bloodthirsty – both God and his servants.
25.38: God kills Nabal. David is benefited by this killing as takes over Nabal’s wife and property.
27.8-11: David killed every man and woman in the land of Geshurites, Gezrites and Amalekites.
30.17: David kills all the Amalekites except 400 young men who escaped upon camels.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Terrorism in Bible - Judges
Judges:
1.17 – Judah and his brother, Simeon, slew the Canaanites who inhabited Zephath and utterly destroyed it.
1.25 – Israeli spies killed everyone in the enemy city except the man and his family who showed them the entrance to the city.
2.1 -3 – God is angry with the Israelis because they were tolerant of the non-believers. They did not completely destroy the infidels’ religious structures. They were told not to make any league with the infidels but they did so (the Israelis made the others their tributaries). Hence, God says that he will not fulfil His promise of driving the infidels out of the land and that they will be a thorn on the side of Israel.
2.12 -14 – God is angry with the Israelis because they worshipped other Gods and hence, he sold them (into slavery? Or is it giving up on them) so that they were unable to stand before their enemies.
3.8 – Once again, God sells the Israelites because they worshipped other Gods. This time he sold them to the King of Mesopotamia for 8 years.
6.25-28 – Gideon destroys a shrine of Lord Baal upon the orders of God.
8.6-17 – The people of a city refuse to feed Gideon’s army, so he kills the elders of the city and all its men.
Chapters 15 and 16 – Samson commits arson and kills many Philistines. Finally, when the Philistines capture and blind him, he dies and takes along with him 3000 Philistine men and women. He prayed to God that they shall be dead along with him. God fulfilled his wishes.
1.17 – Judah and his brother, Simeon, slew the Canaanites who inhabited Zephath and utterly destroyed it.
1.25 – Israeli spies killed everyone in the enemy city except the man and his family who showed them the entrance to the city.
2.1 -3 – God is angry with the Israelis because they were tolerant of the non-believers. They did not completely destroy the infidels’ religious structures. They were told not to make any league with the infidels but they did so (the Israelis made the others their tributaries). Hence, God says that he will not fulfil His promise of driving the infidels out of the land and that they will be a thorn on the side of Israel.
2.12 -14 – God is angry with the Israelis because they worshipped other Gods and hence, he sold them (into slavery? Or is it giving up on them) so that they were unable to stand before their enemies.
3.8 – Once again, God sells the Israelites because they worshipped other Gods. This time he sold them to the King of Mesopotamia for 8 years.
6.25-28 – Gideon destroys a shrine of Lord Baal upon the orders of God.
8.6-17 – The people of a city refuse to feed Gideon’s army, so he kills the elders of the city and all its men.
Chapters 15 and 16 – Samson commits arson and kills many Philistines. Finally, when the Philistines capture and blind him, he dies and takes along with him 3000 Philistine men and women. He prayed to God that they shall be dead along with him. God fulfilled his wishes.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Terrorism in Bible - Joshua
Joshua:
6.17 – All the inhabitants of Jericho are to be killed except a harlot named Rahab.
6.21 – The Israelites killed everyone in Jericho – men and women, old and young. Even animals like ox, sheep and ass were not spared.
6.26 – God proclaims that anyone who tries to rebuild Jericho will be accursed and will be made to lose his firstborn child and the youngest son.
7.24-25 – A person named Achan did not follow a rule. Hence, he and his entire family (sons and daughters) and his animals (oxen and sheep) were stoned to death. (Whatever did those animals do to suffer such a horrible death? Why were his children killed? If it is because they took part in his mistake (Bible does not say anything about their involvement), should they not be given some less severe punishment because they were mislead by their father? The whole episode looks like it was meant to terrorise people into following the Biblical rules)
8.8 – God commands that when they have taken the city of Ai, they shall burn it. (It seems Jehovah is very fond of burning cities and killing people, including innocent children)
8.22-26 – Israelites kill every inhabitant of Ai numbering 12000.
10.10-11 – God kills the Amorites, chases them and brings down hailstorm killing the whole lot of them.
10.12-13 – God orders the sun to stay still for a whole day and thereby helps the Israelites in killing the Amorites.
10.28 – Joshua destroys the city of Makkedah and kills every single soul of the town.
10.30 – Joshua destroys the city of Libnah as he did to Makkedah.
10.32 – Now he destroys the city of Lachish.
10.35 – The city of Eglon is destroyed now.
10.37 – The city of Hebron is destroyed.
10.39 – The city of Debir is destroyed.
10.40 – Joshua destroyed all the countries of the hills, the countries of the south, of vale, of springs and killed everything that breathed in those places as per God’s command.
Chapter 11 – Several kingdoms are destroyed and their people put to death. The tribe of Anakims were utterly destroyed.
6.17 – All the inhabitants of Jericho are to be killed except a harlot named Rahab.
6.21 – The Israelites killed everyone in Jericho – men and women, old and young. Even animals like ox, sheep and ass were not spared.
6.26 – God proclaims that anyone who tries to rebuild Jericho will be accursed and will be made to lose his firstborn child and the youngest son.
7.24-25 – A person named Achan did not follow a rule. Hence, he and his entire family (sons and daughters) and his animals (oxen and sheep) were stoned to death. (Whatever did those animals do to suffer such a horrible death? Why were his children killed? If it is because they took part in his mistake (Bible does not say anything about their involvement), should they not be given some less severe punishment because they were mislead by their father? The whole episode looks like it was meant to terrorise people into following the Biblical rules)
8.8 – God commands that when they have taken the city of Ai, they shall burn it. (It seems Jehovah is very fond of burning cities and killing people, including innocent children)
8.22-26 – Israelites kill every inhabitant of Ai numbering 12000.
10.10-11 – God kills the Amorites, chases them and brings down hailstorm killing the whole lot of them.
10.12-13 – God orders the sun to stay still for a whole day and thereby helps the Israelites in killing the Amorites.
10.28 – Joshua destroys the city of Makkedah and kills every single soul of the town.
10.30 – Joshua destroys the city of Libnah as he did to Makkedah.
10.32 – Now he destroys the city of Lachish.
10.35 – The city of Eglon is destroyed now.
10.37 – The city of Hebron is destroyed.
10.39 – The city of Debir is destroyed.
10.40 – Joshua destroyed all the countries of the hills, the countries of the south, of vale, of springs and killed everything that breathed in those places as per God’s command.
Chapter 11 – Several kingdoms are destroyed and their people put to death. The tribe of Anakims were utterly destroyed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)