Saturday, August 23, 2008

Third Party System

India is flooded with political parties and can contest elections on any banners as long as they meet the requirements and follow election commission rules and regulations. A true democratic process, world cannot deny.

We have another great democratic country who claims they are great democracy and exporting the same ideology across the world. Their electoral system completely based on electoral colleges and on two party system. No third parties are allowed to stand in election or even if they are allowed; they may not be able to debate the other presidential candidates from these two main stream political parties.

Reason by political think tank: They do not qualify.

In the year 2000; a independent candidate stood and received around 3 million votes which some argue it cost of a main political candidate from beating the current president, who won that election.

The same person standing as independent candidate this time too; but he is restricted from appearing along with other contestants.

Every country says their future belong to younger generation; support for this candidate comes from this generation; who are under 21 years old.

His supporters say it's about opening up a system dominated by two parties which have failed the country for decades and failed to open the countries political system for common people.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Hindu and Hinduism

Hindus worship gods which appear in many ways, it could be in many forms – In other words deities which represent god, god in many forms of same consciousness. God is super natural and super power and deities are based on crystallization of principles and same universal consciousness.

Hindu Civilization has long history. Hindu religion doesn't have specific founder. It has more literate and educated members since centuries upholding tendency to preserve all culture Hindu values. All new ideas have come in many ways; is just an extension of old believes & customs. Some believes it is an inheritance of traditions. It also provides a sense of permanence in Hinduism.

Hinduism believes in various behavioral stages in human life. Hindus believes different form of behaviors in different stages of life. This approach put right things in right place. Children’s are treated as students (celibate), later he becomes house holder who takes responsibilities and engage in reproducing and physical pleasures (Kamasutra scripts); he the person who takes care of material world. And slowly aging man moves away from these stages.


In Vedic age; specialized devotional activity called soma ritual is been followed in Hinduism; this ritual activities takes many days (like crushing Soma plant and squeezing liquid). Brahmans which were composed adopted the most important rituals. They have maintained all privileges to perform all rituals. Priests were invited in most auspicious ceremonies (for Pooja, Rituals etc).

The Taitriya Upanishad, Sangeethas indicated in earliest Vedic ages; ancient Indian used to eat cow but later in Hinduism cows become a sacred animal. Eating beef becomes sin. Later Upanishad introduced different idea called Reincarnation. Upanishad introduced painful cycles of birth, the ultimate escape from these recycle of birth called MOKSHA. Unenlightened souls trapped in. This put many Hindus into high disciplined life. This gave dominance of priest on others. Buddhism and Jainism dominated in early 250 BCE. Many scholars argued this point for centuries with reference to Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. All rituals is being conducted by Brahmins; ritual obsession and extremisms started to emerge.

Vedic ideas and ritual gradually faded in background and new face of Hinduism started to emerge during 6BCE. During 320 BCE Alexander invaded North West India; the rulers banded together called Mauryan Empire. Indian politics changed; Ashoka became emperor in 250 BCE, during his conquest lakhs of people died. Royal support for Jainism and Buddhism started and continued for 1000 years.

In 9the century CE; only little Hindu believes and ideology survived. People started to follow Buddhism and Jainism. Hindus restructured their philosophical and theological systems and developed certain does and don’ts. They put forward different ideas in scripts; started to worship personal divinities which you cannot find in any of Vedic text. There were tough restraints and conflicts between Hinduism and other followers not physical but on highly intellectual basis. Many personal divinities started to emerge as deities.

Taitariya Upanishad has direct influence of Buddhism treatises. Taitariya upanishad concludes that there is real soul but some Buddhists continues to denied. Hindu philosophers and theologians developed systematic ideas which are not fully worked out in Upanishads.

Early 9th CE Shankaracharya said all idols are like Brahmans without qualities. His Advaita Vedanta says gods are lower form of Brahmans. Ultimate Brahman and Individual soul are one. He called that all distinct gods are imperfect reflection what he called Brahman without qualities.

Later enormous kind of arts, dance, painting, singing, writing etc of literature started to emerge. During these cultural changes; massive transformation occurred in Hinduism; during this era two great Epic story called Mahabharata and Ramayana took place.

Mahabharata: Kuravas & Pandavas (Story of two royal families). Kuravas won the kingdom after gambling game. Pandavas had to live in forest for 13 years based on agreement they would receive the kingdom when they return. Kuravas did not oblige which resulted in a war between Pandavas and Kuravas. Eighteen chapters of Mahabharata have become sacred scripts and is it known as Bhagavat Gita (Song of God).

Ramayana: Sacred god taken in human form as prince. Many texts is been considered in this book as sacred and religious.

Since 12th century India was destination for many conquerors (especially Moslems from Central Asia & Christians from Europe) which led to modernization of Hinduism. Hinduism rejected other religion ideas. A new form of Hinduism movement took place to fight against these invaders.

Still Hinduism upholds its culture and discipline which is been inherited since 250 BCE.

Hinduism is not just a religion but is a way of life !!!

Monday, July 21, 2008

Christian Embassy

Christian Embassy originated in 1974.
Christian Embassy; a shadow or behind-the-scene agency formed for government and military elites. In other words many members of Christian Embassy are members in advisory board of Pentagon and in White House ranging from high level commanders, leading advisors to white house policies.

Ministers to congressmen and senators arrive in Christian Embassy and learn/follow gospels through fellowship and bible studies. Sometime many decision (what is been referred as knowing Jesus wishes) is been made on their experience in Christian Embassy or on their studies here helps them to do so.

Once Major General Jack Catton, adviser to the Joint Chiefs of Staff said it as a “wonderful opportunity" to evangelize men and women setting defense policy. He said "first priority is my faith”.

Some military personnel and policy makers believe it is a disturbing theology, but probably a violation to defense policy and regulations reference to separation of church and state. The patriotism is been embraced by fundamentalist thoughts.

There were many generals were involved in promoting Christian Embassy in high level, this has become more active after the sad event on Sept 11. This is been highlighted and reported nationwide in major channels and news papers; and very popular subject among bloggers.

Many country heads are members of Christian Embassy especially from Eastern Europe & Latin America.

They have wing in United Nations too http://christianembassyun.org

Members in these agencies believe Christian Embassy gives them relief, peace of mind, and give them a good mind to take better decision at appropriate time.

For some it is an agency involved in religious activities and engaged in politicizing Christian ideologies and for others it is affecting their religious freedom by imposing such an organization within the federal government agency.

It is widely believed; that it is totally politicizing defense and federal employees and agents through Christian fundamentalist ideologies.

Ref: Website
http://www.christianembassy.com/
http://www.christianembassyun.org