Hi Karen,

I think you make a very good point. I am not
comfortable with overly religious content. But, I live
in America where the dominant religion is forced on me
and my family, thanks to over zealous people, national
and school holidays, and the favouring of some
minority holidays over others. I do not however find
learning about different religions offensive. My
husband is (his words) "a devout atheist". He feels
somewhat overwhelmed by the references to religion
everywhere, e.g. the current elections. He is
uncomfortable being told that he is part of a universe
created by an entity, who according to him does not
form a part of his beliefs about creation. I think
whether we want to accept it or not, religious beliefs
are embedded, deeply, in our ways of behaving, and
interacting. Religious practices are inherent to any
culture and we celebrate these through our festivals
and holidays and observances. 

I used to be offended when Catholic and
Judeo-Christian clergy in India and here would say God
Bless/ Save your soul, till my mum pointed out that it
was better to get their blessings than invoke their
ire. Now my response is pretty much "Thank you and
Backatcha".

As immigrants, we are curious about the cultural
practices of other cultures, being displaced from our
own. My first Christmas in Canton Ohio was very
different to going to midnight mass with my Catholic
friends, from no Mass to prayers, to the food,
decorations and of course the weather! Similarly,
Easter was different because in India we would get
Good Friday and Easter Monday off and there were no
eggs to be had, any place. 

To expand on your statement: "I think it is
appropriate, but exceedingly difficult, to discuss
religion in this forum." I would add, to discuss
religion or politics pretty much anywhere except with
close friends.

Thanks,
Ujwala




--- Karen Wyman <Karenw at nmcadv.org> wrote:


> Hi, Daphne, Ochieng, and all list members, 

> 

> I had mixed reactions to Ochieng's message. I was

> appreciative of the

> information about Ramadan, but I was somewhat

> uncomfortable with the

> religious content. I think I would have been very

> uncomfortable with a

> similar message about Christianity. Part of the

> difference, for me, is

> the power and privilege that Christianity wields in

> this country, so a

> Christian posting such a message does so with

> considerably less risk

> than a Muslim would.  I think it is appropriate, but

> exceedingly

> difficult, to discuss religion in this forum. 

> 

>  

> 

> I also think many well-intentioned comments, such as

> "We are all God's

> creation and God serves and cares for us all

> irrespective of our faith;

> whether Christian, Muslim, Hindu, etc." are

> problematic. I, for one,

> have very different views, and I object to being

> told that I am a

> creation of an entity in which I may not believe.

> And while God may, if

> God exists, serve and care for us all, organized

> religions are often in

> the business of maintaining and enforcing oppressive

> power structures. I

> think that when our religious beliefs are central to

> our lives and our

> identities, it is easy for us to embed those beliefs

> in our

> communication without realizing that this can be

> off-putting to those

> who do not share our beliefs. 

> 

>  

> 

> Respectfully, 

> 

> Karen 

> 

>  

> 

>  

> 

> Karen Wyman

> 

> Community Outreach Trainer

> 

> New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence 

> (NMCADV)

> 

> 201 Coal Avenue SW

> 

> Albuquerque, NM 87102

> 

> phone 505.246.9240

> 

> fax 505.246.9434

> 

> www.nmcadv.org <http://www.nmcadv.org> 

> 

> karenw at nmcadv.org

> 

>  

> 

> Please consider the environment before printing this

> e-mail. 

> 

>  

> 

>  

> 

> >

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