tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789188.post3013311100773399435..comments2024-03-27T17:15:37.606-04:00Comments on Triablogue: Christ and the Hindu DiasporaRyanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17809283662428917799noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789188.post-4277074792344361412016-06-17T22:55:26.932-04:002016-06-17T22:55:26.932-04:00Thanks for all the background info. Thanks for all the background info. stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16547070544928321788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6789188.post-63241441969248915872016-06-17T21:42:21.732-04:002016-06-17T21:42:21.732-04:00Interesting book. I will have to get it. Couple of...Interesting book. I will have to get it. Couple of comments. I have not looked at the book but want to comment on the post quickly.<br /><br />There are two sorts of Diaspora Indians - the 1G's who are first generation Hindus and the 2Gs - the second generations ones. The 2nd generation ones have either been born and raised in the West or born overseas but raised in the West - like me. <br /><br />The character of the two groups is quite different and I will speak for the 2Gs since I grew up with many. The 2Gs generally tend to be conservative (altho this is changing) and not particularly religious. So barring watching an Indian movie here and there or having a rare visit to the temple they tend to be very typically American in culture. You deal with them the way you deal with anyone else here in the States. <br />~~~~<br /><br />Re:C - Now among my 2G friends, I have never heard anything about Hindu gods competing with each other in any significant or in a to-be-taken-seriously-sort-of a way. Just my experience.<br /> <br />Re:D - Yes. It is true that many Hindu's oppose conversion. I think however that its not for the reason of the firstborn's responsibilities or due to Hindu god rejection. The presenting issues are quite often not the real issues. While those are factors often enough, I think there are also other things a bit more under the surface and it is this: <br /><br />1. Marriage<br />If you convert to Christianity, then how are you going to get married? Since many Indian marriages (Christian ones also!) are arranged, how will the Hindu parents arrange the marriage of their son/daughter when they <br />(A) do not know any Indian Christians themselves - and its very important to marry an Indian - not an immoral American or a Brit - folks who will not take care of their parents in their old age.<br />and more importantly,<br />(B) do not know any Indian Christians of their caste? <br />- Caste trumps everything!<br /><br />I think that the issue of marriage is what is quite often there behind the scenes carrying a surprisingly large weight. <br /><br />2. Indian Church History<br />~ A second issue is this. Sans the converts in the state of Kerala(likely Pathikal's state), many of early converts to Christianity in India were either untouchables or of the lower castes. So there has been a sort of a stigma with Christianity. The stigma is dying but it has been there. Currently the upper castes are converting in droves. <br /><br />The marriage issue comes up again. If you are a high-caste person and you convert, does that mean you will now marry a lower caste person? "Cuz. Look. We don't mind you marrying a Christian - just make sure its a person of the same caste. But wait... there are no persons who are Christians of the same caste around so... don't convert. Besides - what of our gods?" <br /><br />Ok... my 2 cents worth ...<br /><br />~ Raj rgbraohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01243742903460712693noreply@blogger.com