Re: [nukkad] PM on Godhara

[Harshal Chhaya <>]

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There are two kinds of fool. One says, "This is old, and therefore good." 
And one says, "This is new, and therefore better." -John Brunner, 
science fiction writer (1934-1995)
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zaverirm wrote:
> Pope and Shankaracharya are not into active politics. Imam Bukhari of 
> Juma masjid and other smaller Imams, mullahs and Qazis are very much into
> politics, through and through. 

The Imams and mullahs may be more active in local politics than 
their counterparts in other religions but they are far from the
only ones.

The Shankaracharyas have made statements about politics esp.
when it affects religion (for eg. The Shankaracharya of Goverdhanpuri 
demanded a ban on VHP in March 2002 - http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2002/03/02/stories/2002030202161200.htm - and the Kanchi Shankaracharya has been  
active in trying to settle the Ayodhya dispute)

The difference is that the Shankaracharyas are not as important. Only 
a fraction of Hindus consider them to be their religious leaders and
even fewer consider their statements as religious diktats. But they
certainly try to assert their influence.

The Pope has great influence on a number of politicial decisions 
in countries with a large number of Catholics. The current Pope
is in fact credited with playing an important role in the downfall
of the Soviet Union.  His was also very vocal in his opposition 
to stem cell research when he met President Bush a few months 
back. Stem cell research was a hot political issue then. Bush 
assured him that any US law regarding this research would take
the Pontiff's view into account. Of course, it helped that Bush
shared the Pope's views. 

In local US elections, the church is a very important campaign
stop for all politicians. The priests and the ministers do not 
openly endorse any particular candidate but their invitation
is endorsement enough for the congregation. These preachers also
promote thier favourite candidate by supporting his policies etc.

These actions obviously do not affect us as directly as the actions
of the mullahs do but that does not indicate political inactivity
on their part.

BTW, Since Guptaji already clarified that he did not mean religious 
leaders, this whole discussion is moot. Look like you and Gireesh 
made the same mistaken assumption that I did.

Regards,
Harshal

-- 
 http://www.mumbai-central.com : Where Mumbaikars meet


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