| The following
statement was issued by Ajay Shah, Convenor, American Hindus Against Defamation (AHAD) on
October 25, 1999. American Hindus Against
Defamation (AHAD), an coalition representing several major Hindu organizations in North
America expresses its dismay at the call issued by the Southern Baptist Convention,
the largest Protestant denomination in USA to "pray for Hindus lost in
darkness"
Ironically, the booklet demeaning Hindus and calling them
"lost", and having no "concept of sin or personal
responsibility" comes at a time when Hindus around the world are getting ready for
the festival of Diwali -the festival of light. The Hindus around the world will pray to
God that
everyone, regardless of their religious belief be "led from ignorance to truth"
and "darkness to light" The Hindus in USA seek to propagate the ideals of Vasudhaiva
Kutumbakam (entire universe is one family) and Ekam Sat Vipraha Bahudha Vadanti (The
Truth is One, Sages call it by different names) during Diwali.
This Diwali, as with all the previous ones, Hindus bring to the
US, the rich cultural diversity. By denouncing and denigrating the Hindu Dharma, Hindu
philosophy, Hindu way of worship and the Gods and Goddesses Hindus hold dear, the Southern
Baptist Convention has sought to prejudice the vast majority of American population from
accepting this rich philosophical and religious tradition. The attack on Hindu
faith, we believe, is nothing short of blow to multiculturalism in USA.
It is the booklet such as this, and the contention that Hindus
have "no sense of sin or personal responsibility" that generally leads to hatred
amongst the follower towards those who are condemned, in this case the Hindus.
It would not be surprising if this booklet leads to attacks, verbal and physical on
Hindus.
When one seeks to convert a person to another faith, it is
implicit that those who seek to convert do not consider all religious paths to be leading
to the same God. It is the religio-cultural superiority complex that leads to all attempts
of conversion. Hindus do not seek to convert others, but Hindus are continually subjected
to such attempts. The upcoming visit of Pope to India is also to be looked at from the
same perspective as the booklet from the Southern Baptist convention.
While the press has been quick to brand Hindus and their
organizations who oppose religious conversions as fanatics and fundamentalists, it is
pertinent to note that no responsible Hindu leader or Hindu organization has ever
condemned Christianity or Jesus Christ.
American Hindus Against Defamation urges Southern Baptists to
meet with Hindus and conduct an inter-religious dialog, to see how two great religions,
Hindu Dharma and Christianity can make a positive difference in the American society and
how we, as people of faith, can join together to address issues such as crime, violence,
drugs amongst youth and others.
American Hindus Against Defamation (AHAD), the largest Hindu
advocacy group in USA is convened by World Hindu Council, America is a coalition of
several prominent Hindu organizations in US. AHAD has successfully taken up issues dealing
with Hindu defamation in major media including misrepresentation of Hindu deities and
scriptures by SONY Corporation (Aerosmith album cover), Universal Studios (TV show Xena),
and Warner Brothers (Eyes Wide Shut).
For more information about AHAD, please contact Ajay Shah,
Convenor, AHAD at ahad@hindunet.org |
