Comments on: Western Condescension of Hinduism

By: Mari

Mari — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:19:47 +0000

I enjoyed this article and have seen and experienced much of the discrimination against, and misinformation about, Hinduism that exisits in the west. I am a western, caucasian woman,but follow the teachings of Hinduism and practice Hindu devotion in my life. The predominantly Christian atmosphere I live in feels entitled to attack my religious beleifs, trying to “save” me by spitting back at me patently false “facts” about my beliefs! How insulting! I have studied Hinduism for 20 years. They have studied a paragraph or a chapter in a conversion manual. They feel entitld however, becasue they assume that I am oh so wrong. It’s very frustrating.

I want to make a few other comments. I wish I could feel accepted as a Hindu by other, eastern Hindus. But only western Hindus seems to accept me. I guess this discrimination against Hindus by whites is part of the reason I have never been taken seriously

The other comment I have is: I wear AUM jewelry. I would carry a bag with AUM symbol on it, and it is because of pride in my beleif system. I welcome the questions that arise so I can inform the misinformed and lead others to truth, if they are looking for it. Please do not be quick to be disgusted at someone carrying an AUM bag.

But I am also personally shocked and feel tremendous embarrassment at the disrespect shown by such as Heidi Klum, the Burger King promotion, some of the clothing, often tight and revaling tees, and even SHOES (!) with Gods or Goddess on them. Truly, these people do no realize what they do! Or do not care! The theology and mystery of Kali is not to be dismissed as a “cool costume”

Films (western)are frequently offensive. They painstakingly research religious content for accuracy with every other faith, but dont bother, it seems, to even do a web search when including completely false and backwards dipictions of Hinduism aND ITs dieties.

By: Shantanu

Shantanu — Fri, 21 May 2010 07:16:18 +0000

This is a great article. I remember a recent event where one of my friends had a bag with Om patterns all over it. I was looking at it with such disgust and she asked me “What’s wrong?” I explained to her that I was disgusting people use our beliefs simply to make a quick buck. Unfortunately another individual attacked me saying “So other people can’t believe in Om huh?” completely missing my point.

It absolutely disgusts me. This stigma associated with our beautiful Religion is what is driving many of us away from our beliefs.

By: Sneha Goud

Sneha Goud — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 18:52:38 +0000

This is a great article, Foram. I remember studying all the world’s religions in middle school – and even being confused then when what I had been taught in my community conflicted with the facts stated in encyclopedias my classmates used.

I appreciated your calm tone when discussing such things as Heidi Klum’s costume and the “Om Boy” t-shirts – getting angry is always less effective than remaining levelheaded. I look forward to your future pieces!

By: Foram

Foram — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:26:01 +0000

Thanks so much Saba for your comment! I’m really happy that you can relate even not being Hindu. I appreciate your comments!

By: Saba

Saba — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:06:16 +0000

I really, really enjoyed this article. Even being non-Hindu, I actually thought about this the other day when I was subbing for a history class. I giggled to myself when I read the textbook descriptions for Hinduism – so Orientalist (I’m not crazy about Edward Said’s ideas, but I see there they apply here). Sadly, Hindusim falls into this New Age-ism where people like to take the bits and pieces they like without understanding the religion as whole. You are right, the core of this misconception is just throwing Hinduism into the ‘polytheistic’ category.