Hindu Terrorists? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

genuinegirly · 05-26-2009, 05:25 PM

Can anyone explain to me why there is an extremist Hindu terrorist movement? Based on my rudimentary understanding of the religion, this doesn't fit.

For some context, Here's a brief report on a recent bombing of a Catholic church in Nepal by the National Defense Army.

Quote:

Two women killed in attack on Catholic church in Nepal
Rome, Italy, May 26, 2009 / 10:44 am (CNA).- On Saturday, May 23, two women died after a bomb exploded during Mass at the Church of the Asuncion in Dhobighat in Nepal. There was no word on the number of wounded. According to Caritas, some 150 people were in the church at the time of the attack, which was believed to be an act of Hindu extremists.

After the event, the Director of Caritas Nepal, Father Silas Bogatim, who was celebrating the Mass, said, “We never imagined that someone would carry out such a cowardly attack as this which has killed and wounded so many people. In Nepal, we have lived in religious harmony, and an extremist group is trying to do away with this.”

The attack which was condemned by the government, different political parties, human rights activist and various religious groups, was believed to have been carried out by the Hindu extremist group “National Defense Army,” as pamphlets from the group were found on the scene. In July of last year, terrorists from the group claimed responsibility for killing a priest in the region.

Father Bogatim also said, “We are publicly praying to show our solidarity and religious tolerance.” “The attack has created psycho-social fear among Christians in order to disturb religious harmony in Nepal, but they (the extremists) will never succeed.

I've had many hindu friends in my lifetime, all of which are peaceful, gentle people. I suppose anyone who feels their way of life is threatened has the potential to react violently. Still, this boggles my mind.

What's next - Jain and/or Rastafarian terrorist groups?

Willravel · 05-26-2009, 05:28 PM

Most religions are have intrinsically peaceful teachings. Most religions have some very violent followers.

I fear the day the Buddhists rise up against us.

Jetée · 05-26-2009, 05:59 PM

What doesn't make sense? There has always been those who follow the religious teachings of their culture, and strive to be pious in all respects because of it; there are, however, those violent subsects within every religion in history (whether documented or not) that seek to dominate the scape and expand the scope of their supposed "true" doctrine.

Even Winston Churchill once believed the world was entering a dangerous new era of "terrorism" because of what he referred to as the radical and atheistical "International Jews". He was mainly addressing the rise of Bolshevism during his time, but in the eyes of many historians, it is generally accepted that Churchill believed in a worldwide Jewish conspiracy.

Addressing the original topic's basis, I think the problem from which this stems is that since 9/11, and to some lesser extent, the European train bombings in London & Spain, the word "terrorist" has been given a completely new context and reason for which they operate. I now absolutely abhor hearing the word, and refuse to utter it anymore because it doesn't convey the meaning it once did.

Also, I understand the sentiments of native Hindus seeing their fellow countrymen "converted" to another way of living by "evil foreigners", and being concerned over their internal state of affairs with their neighbors. I wouldn't have escalated to violence, but that would sure get me steamed if I noticed outsiders one by one changing the mindsets of my fellow people.

ObieX · 05-26-2009, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by genuinegirly

What's next - Jain and/or Rastafarian terrorist groups?

I await the doobie-bombs with open nostrils.

biznatch · 05-31-2009, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willravel

Most religions are have intrinsically peaceful teachings. Most religions have some very violent followers.

I fear the day the Buddhists rise up against us.

My friend from Sri Lanka said that many Buddhist monks there are quite violent. I'll try and get a link, but I believe him.

genuinegirly · 05-31-2009, 01:03 PM

Thanks, biz. That'd be an interesting read.

05-26-2009, 05:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jetée The Reforms Location: Rarely, if ever, here or there, but always in transition	What doesn't make sense? There has always been those who follow the religious teachings of their culture, and strive to be pious in all respects because of it; there are, however, those violent subsects within every religion in history (whether documented or not) that seek to dominate the scape and expand the scope of their supposed "true" doctrine. Even Winston Churchill once believed the world was entering a dangerous new era of "terrorism" because of what he referred to as the radical and atheistical "International Jews". He was mainly addressing the rise of Bolshevism during his time, but in the eyes of many historians, it is generally accepted that Churchill believed in a worldwide Jewish conspiracy. Addressing the original topic's basis, I think the problem from which this stems is that since 9/11, and to some lesser extent, the European train bombings in London & Spain, the word "terrorist" has been given a completely new context and reason for which they operate. I now absolutely abhor hearing the word, and refuse to utter it anymore because it doesn't convey the meaning it once did. Also, I understand the sentiments of native Hindus seeing their fellow countrymen "converted" to another way of living by "evil foreigners", and being concerned over their internal state of affairs with their neighbors. I wouldn't have escalated to violence, but that would sure get me steamed if I noticed outsiders one by one changing the mindsets of my fellow people. __________________ As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world (that is the myth of the Atomic Age) as in being able to remake ourselves. —Mohandas K. Gandhi

05-31-2009, 01:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
genuinegirly Eat your vegetables Super Moderator Location: Arabidopsis-ville	Thanks, biz. That'd be an interesting read. __________________ "Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq "violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy

05-26-2009, 05:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	Most religions are have intrinsically peaceful teachings. Most religions have some very violent followers. I fear the day the Buddhists rise up against us.