"In any case, I do not see any wisdom in insulting God or the prophets/avatars. Distinguish that from fighting hatred and injustice due to the use, misuse or abuse of what the believers think are messages from God via the prophets/avatars."----Bain
I fully agree with Dr. Bain. The word "insult" is a key word here. In no cultures this word has a positive connotation. Insulting is the act of a mischievous mind. [An insult may lead to another insult as a retaliation. This retaliation may sometimes be seen as a brave act. A British officer put his feet with shoes on the table when he visited Vidyasagar. Vidyasagar retaliated by by putting his feet on the table when he went to visit that British officer. Obviously the British officer was not happy about it and made a query. Vidyasagar said that he thought that was way to show courtesy. This may be exaggerated created by the Indian nationalist elements].
Having said that, I must also say that this very word "insult" is also a problematic one. "Innocent Muslims" video was definitely an act of a mischievous mind and was an insult to the prophet of Islam and the Muslims and to any one who sees Muhammad as a great man. We have seen how much counterproductive this was for the progress and peaceful coexistence. But was "Satanic Verses"---just to pick an example--- a case of "insult"? We have seen divided opinions on this issue.
From: Sukhamaya Bain <subain1@yahoo.com>
To: "mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com" <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2012 5:01 PM
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] FW: FIGHTING OVER GOD'S IMAGE
To: "mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com" <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2012 5:01 PM
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] FW: FIGHTING OVER GOD'S IMAGE
I would distinguish between the images of what is known as God and what are known as prophets/avatars.
God is a result of human imagination, and may or may not actually exist. If I understand correctly, people who believe that there is a God also believe that God is almighty, all knowing, and all controlling. If so, no honest and intelligent believer would fight over God's image. If someone wrongfully creates an image of God, or a bad image of God, that would be no reason for the believer to get angry. After all, the offender is also a creation of God, according to the belief. The only sensible option for the believer would be to pray to God for mercy on the offender, and for correcting the offender, the power of which God certainly has, according to the belief.
As for the prophets/avatars, they were either real people or believed to be real people. They have respectable images in the minds of their followers. It makes sense for the followers to get upset when someone portrays wrong and disrespectful images of their prophets/avatars. This kind of hurt feelings can lead a lot of ordinary followers to get angry, and to want to punish the offender. The better versions of the followers would probably leave the punishment for the offender to God. After all, the prophet/avatar is either the most favorite to God almighty or God almighty himself. Of course, it would be wrong for any kind of followers to vent their hurt feeling and anger on people who did not do the offending.
In any case, I do not see any wisdom in insulting God or the prophets/avatars. Distinguish that from fighting hatred and injustice due to the use, misuse or abuse of what the believers think are messages from God via the prophets/avatars.
Sukhamaya Bain
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From: Jiten Roy <jnrsr53@yahoo.com>
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2012 10:58 PM
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] FW: FIGHTING OVER GOD'S IMAGE
To: mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2012 10:58 PM
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] FW: FIGHTING OVER GOD'S IMAGE
It is universally acknowledged that God has no image; it's a formless entity. However, being formless also means it can take any form in which it is present. For example, liquid has no form of its own. As a result, it can take any form in which it is put in. The question is how far you want to advance your thought, and there is no victory line for those who do not want to go beyond formless God. Jiten Roy
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