YES, I am ashamed to call myself an INDIAN. My heart is so full of grief and emotions. I am a Christian but I can sense the feeling of dejection, helplessness, betrayal and anger in the eyes of my Hindu brethren. The reason being “Amarnath Shrine”.

It is true it was discovered just 100-200 years back but now it holds the highest reverence in the hearts of millions of Hindus worldwide. Amarnath is as dear to Hindus as Mecca is to Muslims. I am not a writer, neither professional nor freelancer but I feel so agitated over the happenings of Jammu that I am forced to write something.

Mark my words, this incident is going to be a watershed in the lifetime of our Ancient but newborn Country. Government has crossed the limits of pseudo-secularism. Let us first clear some facts one-by-one so that we may have better understanding of the situation at our hands.

• India is a multi-cultural, multi-lingual country with people of many faiths and religions living harmoniously.
• India has an ancient history and has been ruled by Harappans, Dravids, Aryans, Moghuls, British and now worst of all ’Politicians’.
• In India, every religion/faith has been given constitutional right of practicing and propagating their faith.
• Government gives millions of rupees as subsidies to Hajj Pilgrims.
• No other religion has got any such concessions from Government.
• Since Amarnath Shrine is located high in the mountains, it is very difficult for the elderly, sick and children to visit it.
• People use their hard earned money (for poor among them, it may be their lifelong savings) to visit the Shrine without any Government assistance.
• It was thought by the J.K.Assembly that some land be provided to Shrine Board on temporary basis so that they can provide necessary amenities to the Pilgrims during the season (i.e. only about 3 months), thereafter the land would again be handed over to the Forest Department. It is
  to be noted that the land too is barren and cannot be for agricultural purposes.
• This angered the hardcore elements of Kashmir Valley who misinformed and spread rumors that it is a ploy to settle the non-kashmiris in Kashmir. (makes me feel that they want to say that all Indians are foreigners to them)
• They started agitations and protests. Government succumbed to their pressure tactics and withdrew the land from Shrine Board.
• Hindus were deeply hurt over this decision as Amarnath Shrine is highly revered by them. They are asking why Muslims are given millions of rupees for Hajj pilgrimage but Hindus not given even a dime; forget that small stretch of land even for 3 months.
• The unrest in Jammu was simmering for a long time as they always feel that Jammu region gives 75% of revenue to State Government but in return it gets back just 25% government aid. Rest of it goes to the Kashmir valley alone. Do not even talk about Laddakh region, the lesser said-the better.
• This incident has vented open the simmering anger over this grave injustice to the region in general and non-Muslims in particular.

If my worst fears come true, then the majority Hindu votes of the Country will be polarized and in coming elections, Congress may be facing the heaviest defeats ever. Have we forgotten the price-rise/inflation issues? No !

Being a person of minority religion myself, I am apprehensive as to what it will bring to the minorities. God save the country.

If we really want to get out of this quagmire and want to make a prosperous India, we have to immediately take these steps ASAP.

• Order the transfer of land to Shrine Board
• Either there should be Pilgrimage subsidy to all or none. Under best scenario, line of poverty should be the criteria for subsidy.
• We are Indians first; not Kashmiris, Punjabis, Tamils, Bengalis etc.
• No Article 370 in Kashmir which allows separate ‘Prime Minister’, ‘National Symbol’ etc. to them. When I understood the true meaning of Article 370, I was shocked as to how this black Act was allowed in the first place.
• No more new Mandirs, Masjids, Gurudwaras, Churches etc. We already have millions of such homes for him in our country. God is omnipotent/omnipresent, so stop providing shelter to HIM.
• Proven terrorists should be terminated without any delay, otherwise there will be abduction of some Airplane or Minister’s son/daughter and we will be forced to free dreaded terrorists.
• Criminals should be banned from entering politics. Enough of these lathi-weilding, expletive throwing, paan-chewing ministers !
• Politicians should be graduates. Comeon boys! Even in Pakistan it is a rule now.
• Military personnel involved in purchasing poor quality equipments, hardware, warcrafts and traitors should be hanged to death.
• All political party formed on the basis of caste, faith, state should not be allowed to contest elections.

My fellow Contrymen, if you agree with me or want to add your suggestions, you are most welcome. My advice to all is to dream the dream of our Ex.President A.P.J.Abdul Kalam.

THE WONDERFUL INDIA OF 21^ST CENTURY.

JAI HIND !

ALEX THOMAS

Image courtsey: http://www.uncommoncourtesy.com

I have always been wondering this. Right across all major religions of the world there is this common phenomenon. Every religious personality [ no names required ] ensures that there is no-one else to follow his suit and claim that he is better than previous Messenger/Incarnation/Nabi or whatever you people call in your region.

Christians claim that Jesus is the last in the long list of Messengers of God and infact God himself to save the souls of mankind. Likewise, Muslims do believe in Jesus but just as another Messenger in the long list of other Holy Messengers like Abraham, Moses etc. They believe Muhammad (PUBH) is the last of the Messenger from God with the ultimate book revealed to him i.e. Kur’an.

As we move further east, we find that Guru Gobind Singh was the among the Sikh Gurus, Gautam Buddha and Mahavira the last incarnation among many other pervious incarnations/births. Among Hindus, the reincarnation theory is most prominent. God goes on taking Avatars(incarnations)  in Earth to get rid of Evil. But there also, God has stopped taking further Avatars in Modern era.

Do we see something common among all the religions of the world.

Your guess is as good as mine. I wont open my mouth further, as it is considered blasphameous to speak freely about religion and religious practices.

May Good prevail in the End.

Amen.

Alex Thomas

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If you are a Christian or a Muslim, you must have heard never to worship idols as God. This is one of the basic pillars of their religion. In the east, idol worship is not looked down upon. Infact, there are elaborate rites and rituals for idol worship.

Difference lies in our preception of God. Muslims and Christians believe that since God is Supreme Being, his image cannot be made with something he created himself. It is an insult to God. Eastern religions follow another line of thought. They believe that God is omnipotent and omnipresent, even in a tiny speck of mud. So infact they are not worshipping the idol, but the God itself.

I don’t think follower of eastern religions and numerous others are going to hell simply for worshipping idols. What really matter is the deed of a person. A good hearted Hindu would certainly be more entitled to heaven than a person of Christian/Muslim faith but evil deeds. How a person treats his fellow beings, neighbours? How he cares for his family, nation and poors is what makes him entitled for whatever good God has planned for him. Heaven or Hell; I dont know !!!

Alex Thomas

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Heaven or Hell

Image courtesy www.breadonthewaters.com/

Image courtesy www.healthfultips.com

For heaven’s sake, will I go to Heaven or Hell ???

Confused ?  Me too.

Its kind of ‘carrot and stick’ policy God has made for us poor human.

If you follow his rules and regulations, you are entitled to the prize money of a ticket to Heaven or else you can burn in the never-ending fires of Hell. So scary.

I always think to myself. How good can Heaven be?

Religious scriptures define Heaven as a place of ultimate bliss. Green valleys, streams of milk and honey, no ageing, beautiful people, no death. Infact, nothing like the things you suffer here in Earth.

Is it our escapist dream? In fact it is.

Okay, forget it. Imagine that you are living in Heaven.
You wake up in the morning…..
Sorry Guys, there is no Sun but the light of God…so no mornings…..
No need to take bath..as there is no durt or grime in the hallowed land.
No need to wear beautiful clothes…Who do you have to impress?
Sex..love…lust… is a definite no-no in Heaven.
Your full day routine…worship…worship….worship….
Infact NOTHING ELSE.
No games, no competition among peers.
Again….NOTHING

Are you still enjoying Heaven? 

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The Prayer of a Sick Man

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
And if I die before it’s light,
Please grant this prayer I pray tonight.
I pray a blessing on my kids’ lives,
Please help them, Lord, through all times.
As they learn what’s right and wrong,
In you I pray that they’ll stay strong.
And when they have no where else to go,
When they’re troubled and their heads hang low.
I pray that they’ll remember you, O Lord,
And most of all, that they won’t forget your Word.
In you, I pray, they will seek all things,
At night please let them dream good dreams.
Let your Word be the light unto their feet,
Let your arm be their guide up everything steep.
Let your words of wisdom lead them each day,
Let your footsteps in the sand show them the way.
And when they grow up and move away,
Please help them through life, day by day.
When they look into the sky each and every night,
Lord, let them see your shining light.
And every time they think of me,
My love to them, I pray, they’ll see.
Cause now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
And if I die before it’s light,
Please grant this prayer I prayed tonight.
Amen

[God Bless Lora Hernandez for this wonderful prayer]

A Prayer For Friendship

Father, I ask you to bless my friend reading this right now!
Lord, show them a new revelation of Your love and power.
Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit
at this very moment.
Where there is pain, give them Your peace & mercy.
Where there is self-doubting, release a renewed confidence
in Your ability to work through them.
Where there is tiredness, or exhaustion,
I ask You to give them understanding, patience, & strength
as they learn submission to Your leading.
Where there is spiritual stagnation,
I ask You to renew them by revealing Your nearness,
and by drawing them into greater intimacy with You.
Where there is fear, reveal Your love,
and release to them Your courage.
Where there is a sin blocking them,
reveal it, and break its hold over my friends’ life.
Bless their finances, give them greater vision,
and raise up leaders, & friends to support, & encourage them.
Give each of them discernment
to recognize the demonic around them,
and reveal to them the power they have in You to defeat it.
I ask You to do these things in Jesus name!
Amen