Comments for Hindu Press International http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xpress A daily news summary for news media, educators, researchers, writers and religious leaders worldwide. Wed, 17 Mar 2010 03:28:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 Comment on Indian Religious Leaders Join Hands To Address Global Warming and Nuclear Weapons by Yogesh Saxena http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xpress/hindu-press-international/2010/01/02/indian-religious-leaders-join-hands-to-address-global-warming-and-nuclear-weapons/comment-page-1/#comment-66 Yogesh Saxena Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:34:28 +0000 http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xpress/hindu-press-international/2010/01/02/indian-religious-leaders-join-hands-to-address-global-warming-and-nuclear-weapons/#comment-66 It is a matter of great alarm that the Union Home Ministry has not taken the draft national counter-terrorism doctrine seriously, and as a result has not even come close to implementing it. This draft doctrine was formulated in 2006 by the Intelligence Bureau in consultation with the police forces of some States and Central Police organisations. The Government It is a matter of great alarm that the Union Home Ministry has not taken the draft national counter-terrorism doctrine seriously, and as a result has not even come close to implementing it. This draft doctrine was formulated in 2006 by the Intelligence Bureau in consultation with the police forces of some States and Central Police organisations. The Government

]]> Comment on Indian Religious Leaders Join Hands To Address Global Warming and Nuclear Weapons by Yogesh Saxena http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xpress/hindu-press-international/2010/01/02/indian-religious-leaders-join-hands-to-address-global-warming-and-nuclear-weapons/comment-page-1/#comment-65 Yogesh Saxena Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:33:26 +0000 http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xpress/hindu-press-international/2010/01/02/indian-religious-leaders-join-hands-to-address-global-warming-and-nuclear-weapons/#comment-65 Climate train departed Heiligendamm. Next stop: Live Earth." (thanks to Inel!)Two billion people will watch the Live Earth concerts for a climate in crisis next Saturday, 07.07.2007. It's an opportunity too big to miss. Nothing this big is ever perfect. A lot of us were asking whether it would lead to anything, would it just be a flash in the pan, a missed opportunity - or could it give impetus to the sustainable global movement we need, not just for a day but for the years and decades to come? You don't know until you try. So Avaaz started talking to Al Gore and other Live Earth organizers. And it turned out the answer is YES -- this could really help. But only if we seize the opportunity, and ground all that energy and attention into relationships and action. Here, for starters, is the invitation Al Gore has sent us - all of us in Avaaz. He says our G8 organising amazed and inspired him. If we take this invitation up, we can make next Saturday a day that belongs first and foremost to us - not to the corporations or the politicians, but the people of the world. What do you think?Dear friends, On July 7, more than 2 billion people will join together to watch the Live Earth concerts and demonstrate to our leaders that the time has come to solve the climate crisis. Wherever you are that day, you can be part of the action. At events around the world, we are going to convert the potential energy of Live Earth into a global campaign. In thousands of homes, people will invite their friends and neighbors to watch the concerts and join the movement. In order to make these parties truly global, I've decided to partner with Avaaz. The 385,000 Avaaz members from every corner of the world, who mobilized to pressure the G8, amazed me. Avaaz's work to give ordinary people around the world a powerful voice in global decision-making is inspiring, and your organizing around the G8 Summit made a significant difference. Now we have the opportunity to expand on that great effort. Will you commit to organize a Live Earth house party on July 7th? The parties will be fun--and they'll make a difference. If you've got a few friends and a TV, you've got everything you need. 7.7.07 will be the one opportunity we have to bring millions of new people into our campaign. We cannot let it slip by. If you host a Live Earth Party, you'll have access to a special video I've made to urge people to take action. Together, I know we can convince everyone attending these parties to get involved. In a few short hours, you and your friends can watch the concert, take action -- and, at the end, upload a photo from your event that will be accessible to others taking part throughout the world. Through these parties, we can reach more people than ever before and build a truly global movement to solve the climate crisis. Holding a Live Earth party is easy. All you need is a television and a few friends. We will provide you with all the tools you need - Sign up as a party host here. Live Earth will be a unique moment when the uninterrupted and undivided attention of the world will be focused on the climate crisis. I need your help to make it count. Climate train departed Heiligendamm. Next stop: Live Earth.” (thanks to Inel!)Two billion people will watch the Live Earth concerts for a climate in crisis next Saturday, 07.07.2007. It’s an opportunity too big to miss.
Nothing this big is ever perfect. A lot of us were asking whether it would lead to anything, would it just be a flash in the pan, a missed opportunity - or could it give impetus to the sustainable global movement we need, not just for a day but for the years and decades to come? You don’t know until you try. So Avaaz started talking to Al Gore and other Live Earth organizers. And it turned out the answer is YES — this could really help. But only if we seize the opportunity, and ground all that energy and attention into relationships and action. Here, for starters, is the invitation Al Gore has sent us - all of us in Avaaz. He says our G8 organising amazed and inspired him.
If we take this invitation up, we can make next Saturday a day that belongs first and foremost to us - not to the corporations or the politicians, but the people of the world. What do you think?Dear friends, On July 7, more than 2 billion people will join together to watch the Live Earth concerts and demonstrate to our leaders that the time has come to solve the climate crisis. Wherever you are that day, you can be part of the action. At events around the world, we are going to convert the potential energy of Live Earth into a global campaign. In thousands of homes, people will invite their friends and neighbors to watch the concerts and join the movement. In order to make these parties truly global, I’ve decided to partner with Avaaz. The 385,000 Avaaz members from every corner of the world, who mobilized to pressure the G8, amazed me. Avaaz’s work to give ordinary people around the world a powerful voice in global decision-making is inspiring, and your organizing around the G8 Summit made a significant difference. Now we have the opportunity to expand on that great effort. Will you commit to organize a Live Earth house party on July 7th? The parties will be fun–and they’ll make a difference. If you’ve got a few friends and a TV, you’ve got everything you need. 7.7.07 will be the one opportunity we have to bring millions of new people into our campaign. We cannot let it slip by. If you host a Live Earth Party, you’ll have access to a special video I’ve made to urge people to take action. Together, I know we can convince everyone attending these parties to get involved. In a few short hours, you and your friends can watch the concert, take action — and, at the end, upload a photo from your event that will be accessible to others taking part throughout the world. Through these parties, we can reach more people than ever before and build a truly global movement to solve the climate crisis. Holding a Live Earth party is easy. All you need is a television and a few friends. We will provide you with all the tools you need - Sign up as a party host here.
Live Earth will be a unique moment when the uninterrupted and undivided attention of the world will be focused on the climate crisis. I need your help to make it count.

]]> Comment on Indian Religious Leaders Join Hands To Address Global Warming and Nuclear Weapons by Yogesh Saxena http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xpress/hindu-press-international/2010/01/02/indian-religious-leaders-join-hands-to-address-global-warming-and-nuclear-weapons/comment-page-1/#comment-62 Yogesh Saxena Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:29:07 +0000 http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xpress/hindu-press-international/2010/01/02/indian-religious-leaders-join-hands-to-address-global-warming-and-nuclear-weapons/#comment-62 A widespread Arctic melt would have major impacts on wildlife Arctic sea ice is melting even faster than last year, despite a cold winter. Data from the US National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) shows that the year began with ice covering a larger area than at the beginning of 2007. But now it is down to levels seen last June, at the beginning of a summer that broke records for sea ice loss. Scientists on the project say that much of the ice is so thin that it melts easily, and the Arctic may be ice-free in summer within five to 10 years. I think we're going to beat last year's record, though I'd love to be wrong Julienne Stroeve "We had a bit more ice in the winter, although we were still way below the long-term average," said Julienne Stroeve from NSIDC in Boulder, Colorado. "So we had a partial recovery; but the real issue is that most of the pack ice has become really thin, and if we have a regular summer now, it can just melt away," she told BBC News. In March, Nasa reported that the area covered by sea ice was slightly larger than in 2007, but much of it consisted of thin floes that had formed during the previous winter. These are much less robust than thicker, less saline floes that have already survived for several years. After a colder winter, ice has been melting even faster than last year A few years ago, scientists were predicting ice-free Arctic summers by about 2080. Then computer models started projecting earlier dates, around 2030 to 2050. Then came the 2007 summer that saw Arctic sea ice shrink to the smallest extent ever recorded, down to 4.2 million sq km from 7.8 million sq km in 1980. By the end of last year, one research group was forecasting ice-free summers by 2013. "I think we're going to beat last year's record melt, though I'd love to be wrong," said Dr Stroeve. "If we do, then I don't think 2013 is far off anymore. If what we think is going to happen does happen, then it'll be within a decade anyway."Rising tide Countries surrounding the Arctic are eyeing the economic opportunities that melting ice might bring. Canada and Russia are exploring soverignity claims over tracts of Arctic seafloor, while just this week President Bush has urged more oil exploration in US waters - which could point the way to exploitation of reserves off the Alaskan coast. Summer ice cover in the Arctic has declined sharply But from a climate point of view, the melt could bring global impacts accelerating the rate of warming and of sea level rise. "This is a positive feedback process," commented Dr Ian Willis, from the Scott Polar Research Institute in Cambridge. "Sea ice has a higher albedo (reflectivity) than ocean water; so as the ice melts, the water absorbs more of the Sun's energy and warms up more, and that in turn warms the atmosphere more - including the atmosphere over the Greenland ice sheet." Greenland is already losing ice to the oceans, contributing to the gradual rise in sea levels. The ice cap holds enough water to lift sea levels globally by about 7m (22ft) if it all melted. Natural climatic cycles such as the Arctic Oscillation play a role in year-to-year variations in ice cover. But Julienne Stroeve believes the sea ice is now so thin that there is little chance of the melting trend turning round. "If the ice were as thin as it was in the 1970s, last year's conditions would have brought a dip in cover, but nothing exceptional. "But now it's so thin that you would have to have an exceptional sequence of cold winters and cold summers in order for it to rebuild." A widespread Arctic melt would have major impacts on wildlife Arctic sea ice is melting even faster than last year, despite a cold winter. Data from the US National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) shows that the year began with ice covering a larger area than at the beginning of 2007.
But now it is down to levels seen last June, at the beginning of a summer that broke records for sea ice loss.
Scientists on the project say that much of the ice is so thin that it melts easily, and the Arctic may be ice-free in summer within five to 10 years.
I think we’re going to beat last year’s record, though I’d love to be wrong
Julienne Stroeve
“We had a bit more ice in the winter, although we were still way below the long-term average,” said Julienne Stroeve from NSIDC in Boulder, Colorado.
“So we had a partial recovery; but the real issue is that most of the pack ice has become really thin, and if we have a regular summer now, it can just melt away,” she told BBC News.
In March, Nasa reported that the area covered by sea ice was slightly larger than in 2007, but much of it consisted of thin floes that had formed during the previous winter. These are much less robust than thicker, less saline floes that have already survived for several years.
After a colder winter, ice has been melting even faster than last year
A few years ago, scientists were predicting ice-free Arctic summers by about 2080. Then computer models started projecting earlier dates, around 2030 to 2050.
Then came the 2007 summer that saw Arctic sea ice shrink to the smallest extent ever recorded, down to 4.2 million sq km from 7.8 million sq km in 1980.
By the end of last year, one research group was forecasting ice-free summers by 2013.
“I think we’re going to beat last year’s record melt, though I’d love to be wrong,” said Dr Stroeve.
“If we do, then I don’t think 2013 is far off anymore. If what we think is going to happen does happen, then it’ll be within a decade anyway.”Rising tide Countries surrounding the Arctic are eyeing the economic opportunities that melting ice might bring.
Canada and Russia are exploring soverignity claims over tracts of Arctic seafloor, while just this week President Bush has urged more oil exploration in US waters - which could point the way to exploitation of reserves off the Alaskan coast.
Summer ice cover in the Arctic has declined sharply
But from a climate point of view, the melt could bring global impacts accelerating the rate of warming and of sea level rise.
“This is a positive feedback process,” commented Dr Ian Willis, from the Scott Polar Research Institute in Cambridge.
“Sea ice has a higher albedo (reflectivity) than ocean water; so as the ice melts, the water absorbs more of the Sun’s energy and warms up more, and that in turn warms the atmosphere more - including the atmosphere over the Greenland ice sheet.”
Greenland is already losing ice to the oceans, contributing to the gradual rise in sea levels. The ice cap holds enough water to lift sea levels globally by about 7m (22ft) if it all melted.
Natural climatic cycles such as the Arctic Oscillation play a role in year-to-year variations in ice cover. But Julienne Stroeve believes the sea ice is now so thin that there is little chance of the melting trend turning round.
“If the ice were as thin as it was in the 1970s, last year’s conditions would have brought a dip in cover, but nothing exceptional.
“But now it’s so thin that you would have to have an exceptional sequence of cold winters and cold summers in order for it to rebuild.”

]]> Comment on Is Yoga Hindu? by Ravikiran http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xpress/hindu-press-international/2009/12/17/is-yoga-hindu/comment-page-1/#comment-57 Ravikiran Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:50:19 +0000 http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xpress/hindu-press-international/2009/12/17/is-yoga-hindu/#comment-57 Nice topic. Yoga is from Sanatana Dharma and it is integral part of Hinduism. Read the following article. "Do Yoga Without Losing Your Dignity" http://vasugokaraju.blogspot.com/2009/12/do-yoga-without-losing-your-dignity.html Nice topic. Yoga is from Sanatana Dharma and it is integral part of Hinduism. Read the following article.

“Do Yoga Without Losing Your Dignity”

http://vasugokaraju.blogspot.c.....gnity.html

]]> Comment on Forum for Interfaith Relationships with Equality by dilipamin http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xpress/hindu-press-international/2009/11/22/forum-for-interfaith-relationships-with-equality/comment-page-1/#comment-56 dilipamin Sun, 13 Dec 2009 22:26:53 +0000 http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xpress/hindu-press-international/2009/11/22/forum-for-interfaith-relationships-with-equality/#comment-56 38% of Hindus marry to Christians, Jews and Muslims in America. For Dharmics, information on how to deal with Abrahamics in relationships is lacking. Hindu parents dont know how to handle issues at home when their son or daughter proposes a love relationships with an Abrahamic. Hindu youths are unaware of religious conversion practices of Christians and Muslims for marriage and they end up accepting an 38% of Hindus marry to Christians, Jews and Muslims in America.

For Dharmics, information on how to deal with Abrahamics in relationships is lacking. Hindu parents dont know how to handle issues at home when their son or daughter proposes a love relationships with an Abrahamic. Hindu youths are unaware of religious conversion practices of Christians and Muslims for marriage and they end up accepting an

]]> Comment on Forum for Interfaith Relationships with Equality by dilipamin http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xpress/hindu-press-international/2009/11/22/forum-for-interfaith-relationships-with-equality/comment-page-1/#comment-55 dilipamin Sun, 13 Dec 2009 22:25:54 +0000 http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xpress/hindu-press-international/2009/11/22/forum-for-interfaith-relationships-with-equality/#comment-55 38% of Hindus marry to Christians, Jews and Muslims in America. For Dharmics, information on how to deal with Abrahamics in relationships is lacking. Hindu parents don 38% of Hindus marry to Christians, Jews and Muslims in America.

For Dharmics, information on how to deal with Abrahamics in relationships is lacking. Hindu parents don

]]> Comment on India To Form New Southern State by Ravikiran http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xpress/hindu-press-international/2009/12/12/india-to-form-new-southern-state/comment-page-1/#comment-54 Ravikiran Sun, 13 Dec 2009 21:17:44 +0000 http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xpress/hindu-press-international/2009/12/12/india-to-form-new-southern-state/#comment-54 It is my opinion that Andhra Pradesh remains one state. The party (TRS) that took up separate Telangana as its main agenda got only one seat in the assembly. The same party did not even contest in the municipal elections in the state. This clearly shows people's mandate to be united. It is unfortunate that HinduismToday did not publish the fact that the sitting CM of the state did not even know the decision of the central government until it came in media. Don't take my word for it, see CM's statement. This proposal of separation came out of political motives and it is going to fail without any doubts. It is my opinion that Andhra Pradesh remains one state. The party (TRS) that took up separate Telangana as its main agenda got only one seat in the assembly. The same party did not even contest in the municipal elections in the state. This clearly shows people’s mandate to be united.

It is unfortunate that HinduismToday did not publish the fact that the sitting CM of the state did not even know the decision of the central government until it came in media. Don’t take my word for it, see CM’s statement. This proposal of separation came out of political motives and it is going to fail without any doubts.

]]> Comment on Who Is Watching Whom Why by Chris http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xpress/hindu-press-international/2009/12/11/who-is-watching-whom-why/comment-page-1/#comment-53 Chris Sat, 12 Dec 2009 09:58:26 +0000 http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xpress/hindu-press-international/2009/12/11/who-is-watching-whom-why/#comment-53 I have yet to find a Hindu in the UK who supports hereditary caste. I have heard many say that this concept should not come to Britain. Also, I find the BNP mission statement very funny: <blockquote>"To secure a future for the indigenous peoples of these islands in the North Atlantic which have been our homeland for millennia". </blockquote> This would certainly exclude the royal family, and millennia (plural) would exclude everyone with Norman and Viking ancestry, which probably covers most of the population. I have yet to find a Hindu in the UK who supports hereditary caste. I have heard many say that this concept should not come to Britain.

Also, I find the BNP mission statement very funny:

“To secure a future for the indigenous peoples of these islands in the North Atlantic which have been our homeland for millennia”.

This would certainly exclude the royal family, and millennia (plural) would exclude everyone with Norman and Viking ancestry, which probably covers most of the population.

]]> Comment on Hindu Declaration on Climate Change by jfeketa http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xpress/hindu-press-international/2009/12/07/hindu-declaration-on-climate-change/comment-page-1/#comment-52 jfeketa Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:45:18 +0000 http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xpress/hindu-press-international/2009/12/07/hindu-declaration-on-climate-change/#comment-52 Native americans have been trying to warn the people of the world for years that mother earth was not happy and the people must return to the sacred ways of their individual traditions. May awareness heighten in humanity and conciousness shift for the good of all. Ohm Namah Shivaya Native americans have been trying to warn the people of the world for years that mother earth was not happy and the people must return to the sacred ways of their individual traditions. May awareness heighten in humanity
and conciousness shift for the good of all.
Ohm Namah Shivaya

]]> Comment on Dying With Dignity, the Hindu Way by Dandapani http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xpress/hindu-press-international/2009/12/05/dying-with-dignity-the-hindu-way/comment-page-1/#comment-51 Dandapani Sun, 06 Dec 2009 12:48:31 +0000 http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xpress/hindu-press-international/2009/12/05/dying-with-dignity-the-hindu-way/#comment-51 The issue with the "death panels" is that they take this very personal decision away from the infirm and their family and places it in the hands of an unelected, unaccountable, nameless bureaucrat in Washington. That's the issue, not fighting the inevitable. Aum. The issue with the “death panels” is that they take this very personal decision away from the infirm and their family and places it in the hands of an unelected, unaccountable, nameless bureaucrat in Washington. That’s the issue, not fighting the inevitable. Aum.

]]> Comment on Unequal Measures by chirag http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xpress/hindu-press-international/2009/11/28/unequal-measures/comment-page-1/#comment-49 chirag Sun, 29 Nov 2009 13:11:27 +0000 http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xpress/hindu-press-international/2009/11/28/unequal-measures/#comment-49 so just because it has been done by Muslism for Eid and in the past by Christians, makes it okay for us Hindus to kill 250,000 animals. yes the story should be balanced and report on both Muslim and Christian [Western] animal killings for both food and religious. But Hindus should stop this and think twice if the Lord truly wants his name glorified by the killing of his defenseless animals so just because it has been done by Muslism for Eid and in the past by Christians, makes it okay for us Hindus to kill 250,000 animals. yes the story should be balanced and report on both Muslim and Christian [Western] animal killings for both food and religious.

But Hindus should stop this and think twice if the Lord truly wants his name glorified by the killing of his defenseless animals

]]> Comment on Sacrifice of 250,000 Animals In Nepal by chirag http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xpress/hindu-press-international/2009/11/28/sacrifice-of-250000-animals-in-nepal/comment-page-1/#comment-48 chirag Sun, 29 Nov 2009 13:07:24 +0000 http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xpress/hindu-press-international/2009/11/28/sacrifice-of-250000-animals-in-nepal/#comment-48 in this day and age it is a barbaric and cruel ritual which all Hindus should be shamed. We preach non-violence and yet are willing to kill defenseless animals to appease the Lord. Are we SERIOUSLY trying to defend this type of practice. Do you we really think the Lord wants his creatures killed to glorify him? sheeshhh! in this day and age it is a barbaric and cruel ritual which all Hindus should be shamed. We preach non-violence and yet are willing to kill defenseless animals to appease the Lord. Are we SERIOUSLY trying to defend this type of practice. Do you we really think the Lord wants his creatures killed to glorify him?

sheeshhh!

]]> Comment on The Global Hindu is on a Global High by anand http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xpress/hindu-press-international/2009/11/21/the-global-hindu-is-on-a-global-high/comment-page-1/#comment-47 anand Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:54:38 +0000 http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xpress/hindu-press-international/2009/11/21/the-global-hindu-is-on-a-global-high/#comment-47 Let's hope all of these "<em>Global Hindus</em>" or "<em>New Hindus</em>" can go and worship at (the Global Lord) Lord Jagannatha's temple in Puri and that a better job is done "globally" of explaining the <em>varnasrama</em> system so that it does not "globally" deteriorate into a birth caste system . . . Let’s hope all of these “Global Hindus” or “New Hindus” can go and worship at (the Global Lord) Lord Jagannatha’s temple in Puri and that a better job is done “globally” of explaining the varnasrama system so that it does not “globally” deteriorate into a birth caste system . . .

]]> Comment on The Global Hindu is on a Global High by Padmaja http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xpress/hindu-press-international/2009/11/21/the-global-hindu-is-on-a-global-high/comment-page-1/#comment-46 Padmaja Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:42:55 +0000 http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xpress/hindu-press-international/2009/11/21/the-global-hindu-is-on-a-global-high/#comment-46 It is indeed great to see these "New Hindus" emerging everywhere around the world, but what is even more important is to pass on our religion to the next generation and creating proud and confident "Next Generation Hindus." It is indeed great to see these “New Hindus” emerging everywhere around the world, but what is even more important is to pass on our religion to the next generation and creating proud and confident “Next Generation Hindus.”

]]> Comment on The Blue God of Judaism by mraghavan http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xpress/hindu-press-international/2009/11/20/the-blue-god-of-judaism/comment-page-1/#comment-45 mraghavan Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:28:07 +0000 http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/xpress/hindu-press-international/2009/11/20/the-blue-god-of-judaism/#comment-45 It is interesting to observe where the ongoing Hindu-Jewish dialogue is taking us. But, I am curious as to why the Rabbi saw the Blue God as Siva, and not Kannan (Krishna) or Murugan? Siva has been worshiped in lingam form for countless centuries, the images of Nataraja and Ardhanareshwara being highlighted in the age of the Chola kings. The images of Him as a Blue God with Parvathi by His Side is the product of calendars and popular culture. In addition, Siva is a god of Peace; He has never been identified as warrior. Suffice it to say, the term "Yahweh" could have led to the word "Yadava" - the name of the clan into which Krishna was born. And, in similar vein, The Tamil God Arumukhan, or Murugan, has been long depicted as a Handsome warrior, which would better correspond to the description of Yahweh. I think a deeper study would be worth pursuing. It is interesting to observe where the ongoing Hindu-Jewish dialogue is taking us. But, I am curious as to why the Rabbi saw the Blue God as Siva, and not Kannan (Krishna) or Murugan?

Siva has been worshiped in lingam form for countless centuries, the images of Nataraja and Ardhanareshwara being highlighted in the age of the Chola kings. The images of Him as a Blue God with Parvathi by His Side is the product of calendars and popular culture. In addition, Siva is a god of Peace; He has never been identified as warrior.

Suffice it to say, the term “Yahweh” could have led to the word “Yadava” - the name of the clan into which Krishna was born. And, in similar vein, The Tamil God Arumukhan, or Murugan, has been long depicted as a Handsome warrior, which would better correspond to the description of Yahweh.

I think a deeper study would be worth pursuing.

]]>