Hinduism Found In An Amusement Park!

While reading about Hinduism in today's world, I came across an interesting article by BBC News (although it is an old article- 2005). It discussed an ongoing project which binds Hinduism and technology in the form of an amusement park. It was jolting to read the article and imagine that this project is indeed underway. I am not opposed to it. In fact, I am uncertain as to how I feel about the project. But my feelings upon the matter are irrelevant. What is I do believe is that an amusement park which teaches Hindu ideas, gods, and scriptures is extremely creative and original. In this day and age, religion often takes a back seat in people's lives. An amusement park is a way in which modern age is reconciled with religion. Perhaps, this project is viable for Hinduism because unlike other religions, Hinduism does not forbid depiction of gods in various forms. But this project illustrates the possibility of bringing religion to the masses through modern technology used in new and innovative methods. It also provides basic knowledge to those from other religious backgrounds, thus helping eradicate misconceptions and prejudices.

Activists Disrupt Hindu Prayer

I was absolutely shocked to read this article about Christian activists who heckled the first Hindu to be invited to the Senate to lead a Hindu prayer.

In a historical moment, Rajan Zed, a Hindu chaplain, was invited to perform the invocation for the Senate, a prayer that is typically Christian. Just before he was able to begin, though, three individuals from the Christian Right anti-abortion group Operation Save America began shouting. "Lord Jesus, forgive us father for allowing a prayer of the wicked, which is an abomination in your sight. This is an abomination. We shall have no other gods before you."

The presiding officer for the morning, Senator Bob Casey, immediate asked the sergeant-at-arms to restore order. As they were led out, they continued shouting their protests: "No Lord but Jesus Christ" and There's only one true God."

Rajan Zed, unnerved by the incident, then continued with his invocation. He said:

"Let us pray. We meditate on the transcendental glory of the deity supreme, who is insie the heart of the earth, inside the life of the sky an inside the soul of heaven. May he stimulate an illuminate our minds. Lead us from the unreal to real, from darkness to light, and from death to immortality. May we be protecte together, may we be nourished together. May we work together with great vigour. May our study be enlightening."

A video of the incident can be viewed here.

A copy of this video is also found on the website of Operation Save America, proud of the hate they have spread. They issued the following press release, condemning the members of the Senate for not joining in their protests:

WASHINGTON, July 12 /Christian Newswire/ -- Ante Pavkovic, Kathy Pavkovic, and Kristen Sugar were all arrested in the chambers of the United States Senate as that chamber was violated by a false Hindu god. The Senate was opened with a Hindu prayer placing the false god of Hinduism on a level playing field with the One True God, Jesus Christ. This would never have been allowed by our Founding Fathers.

"Not one Senator had the backbone to stand as our Founding Fathers stood. They stood on the Gospel of Jesus Christ! There were three in the audience with the courage to stand and proclaim, 'Thou shalt have no other gods before me.' They were immediately removed from the chambers, arrested, and are in jail now. God bless those who stand for Jesus as we know that He stands for them." Rev. Flip Benham, Director, Operation Save America/Operation Rescue.

I am ashamed that when our government finally becomes progressive enough to invite a Hindu to lead the prayer, he faces such treatment.

Today's Youth: Multi-Religious

Generation Y has been characterized as “directionless, lacking in community ties and meaningful participation in community life.” Now, more people are beginning to realize that Generation Y does have a strong and often quite spiritual sense of direction, although a less traditional one than that of previous generations.

According to a recent study, the children of Baby Boomers “see themselves as having the freedom to figure out who they are, to explore their relationship with God and spirituality, and to determine their place in society. This generation is characterized by open mindedness and tolerance, believing that people should do their own thing, even if it seems strange to others.”

Gillian Siple is a perfect example. Asked to describe herself in one word, her answer is simply “spiritual.” Siple, a religion major at Davidson College in North Carolina, lived for a year in China, Thailand and India. She meditated in monasteries and ashrams, lived and studied among Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus.

Back at Davidson College, though, she attends Christian prayer and fellowship meetings. She also meditates based on the teachings she learned in Thailand. “Siple calls herself a Christian pluralist, open to the possibility of the validity of other religious traditions.”

"You do what you feel is right for your religious practice," Siple says. "I think that is what our generation is screaming for right now. People want not to be told what they should do, but to figure it out for themselves."